NZ Cup Day at Addington Tips & Preview | Tuesday 11 November

A good winner at Motukarara two starts back before a strong third at Ashburton, Royal Rock (4) has enjoyed a great build up toward today. Stepped out at the trials last week and was equally as good in behind some nice types and if he can step, land on the speed and be close enough turning for home he’s a huge winning chance. 
Selections: 4-6-11-10-18 

Off the back of an impressive Kaikoura win last Monday Scrunch (13) sticks in a similar grade again. Cops the carpark barrier draw but has shown that doesn’t matter all that much with some big runs in his short career to date. Speed will be on to bring him into play and he can come into his own over the final 800 metres. 
Selections: 13-7-11-2-5 

A brilliant introduction to not only the trotting game but also New Zealand for He Aint Fakin (5) a couple of weeks back. A former pacer in Australia, he’s got a bright future in the new gait here and finds a very winnable race for his first run out of maidens. Should be able to work to the lead at some point and not look back as long as the big day doesn’t get to him.  
Selections: 5-10-7-9-6 

Generally he just does enough to keep you interested does Taketheplunge (7) and can often be his own worst enemy but maps up beautifully here today. Got far too keen in a trial last week but found the line well. Front line draw is key, he can roll forward and look to control this and if he gets things his own way he’s a great each way chance at a price.  
Selections: 7-8-12-4-6 

The penny looks to be finally dropping for Dreams Pat (5) and the Kaikoura win last week was as easy as it looked. Still not 100 per cent in the gait all the time but is getting better and looks a horse who could work to the top grade in the next few months easily enough. Work to do off the handicap here but has the brilliance to overcome it.  
Selections: 18-4-7-17-9 

The form doesn’t read anything too flashy but break down some of the performances of Wag Star (1) over the past month and there’s a lot to like. Sectionally he’s been outstanding in many of the Cup lead up races but unable to make too much ground on the best of the best. Different set up here, should look to lead and over the 2600m could stack them up and then run them off their feet.  
Selections: 1-11-7-9-2 

Has been one of the trotting finds of the season so far has Bounce N Beyond (12) and the effort to finish second to Father Time at Kaikoura was massive. A slight drop back in grade here too and while there’s a handicap to contend with, he’s going so well that it is hard to not see him as the leading contender.  
Selections: 12-16-1-15-13 

One of the hype horses of New Zealand harness racing at the moment, Jumal (3) has it all in front of him. He’s won races with ease off good draws, and he’s won races he probably shouldn’t have won off bad ones too. Gate speed to use for the handy barrier and he’ll look to find the markers and control this and nothing we’ve seen so far suggests they are going to be able to beat him.  
Selections: 3-4-7-10-13 

Expecting Southland mare Duchess Of Kent to take plenty of benefit off of her Ashburton second two weeks ago. Needed that run to blow out the cobwebs and got it. High speed pacer with great staying prowess and although a short-trip here, it will be survival off the toughest. Should get a good run through from the second line and be there ready to fight it out at the finish.  
Selections: 11-2-5-6-3 

In form and loving life and racing again Muscle Mountain (7) brings all the confidence in the world into this year’s Dominion. Brilliant in the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup and divine in the Ashburton Sprint he’s right on top of his game and gets his chance to add one of the missing pieces of the puzzle to his wonderful career here.  
Selections: 7-2-4-18-8 

Continues to go from strength to strength does It’s Tough (5) with the only defeat this time in coming at the hands of The Lazarus Effect. Scintillating at Kaikoura in an easy kill and from the good draw here today should roll to the front, bowl them along and offer up more of the same. Looks one of the bets of the day in his current form.  
Selections: 5-8-1-11-4 

Wonderful to have the best horse in Australasia here competing in our greatest race. Sure, it hasn’t been the best prep for Leap To Fame (6) but he showed he’s right back on track with a brilliant win last time out. Few different things to handle here but he’s one of the best for a reason and without bad luck he’s the horse to beat in this year’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.  
Selections: 6-5-10-3-12 

Brave effort at Kaikoura on Monday from J T Boe (6) and he’s a horse who is really starting to furnish into one for the future. Finds a good race here today with a good draw to work from. Should look to get handy and if he can find the front and control things then he becomes very hard to beat.  
Selections: 6-8-9-5-13