Mobile made to order for Matty A
Garrick Knight - Raceform • August 21st, 2025 3:00 PM • 4 min read
A rare opportunity to start from behind the mobile plays right into the hands of classy trotter Matty A at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
The big West Auckland square-gaiter was only stopped by a 45-metre handicap over the 2200-metre trip at his last race a fortnight ago, when he was shooting for a hat-trick of wins. He still hit the line well and was beaten by only five lengths at the line.
“He went massive, and if he wasn’t pushed out down the back, he still might have been in it,” said his proud trainer, Sheryl Wigg.
Wigg believes Matty A is a rightful favourite this week but beyond that, her plans are up in the air.
“He is the best horse in the race this week and I don’t think it will matter whether Andre (Poutama, driver) goes forward or back.
“I’m just happy to be able to get this race into him after the craziness of lining up off 45 metres. It’s going to break his heart if I keep that up.
“The problem I’ve got is there is nothing for him up here right through until the end of September.”
Wigg says she may be forced to send the horse to Canterbury, but it’s something she is very reluctant to do because the horse is what you would categorise as high dependency.
“I have had a lot of issues with him, and he really needs a pool, so if I send him anywhere, that’s a must.
“I don’t want to lose him, but I might have to and that breaks my heart. I have to sit down after this race and really think about what I am going to do and what is best for the horse.
“He’s the nice horse I’ve wanted my whole life, and I shouldn’t be forced to send him away.”
Wigg says she will nominate him for the Dominion Handicap at Addington in November and a race like the Ashburton Trotters Sprint in late October could also be a target.
For now, though, she confidently predicts a third win in his last four starts.
“He’s ready to rumble. His last few runs are how he used to run before he had his soreness issues. I think he’s probably close to the best trotter in the north at the moment, so I expect him to handle that field from a mobile.”
