Runner By Runner Guide | Group 1 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup

Inaugural winner of the Christian Cullen almost 12 months ago, but aside from a Methven Cup victory in the wet it’s been a far from ideal preparation. Got it wrong at the start in the Kaikoura Cup and can’t afford to do that here from the inside draw. Away safely, can get a nice trip on the fence and an outside top six chance.  

Gr.1 winning mare who needs two scratchings to work her way into the field. No doubt she’s a high speed mare when saved up for one run but has yet to be tested at this kind of level and would need to create something special to feature.

The Pride of the North eliminated any concerns he wasn’t quite at his best with a dominant Kaikoura Cup win last Monday. Questions have also been raised about his ability to run out a strong 3200m but with another year behind him and a lot more top line racing to toughen him up he’s capable. Draw is great, should be close to the speed throughout and look for him to be finishing strongly.  

One of the rising stars in the race, it’s been a short and sharp preparation of just the three runs. Very good in the Ashburton Flying Stakes when finishing fourth and gets his chance to step onto the speed and find the markers early before looking to follow any one of the big guns. Needs to find a length or three to win perhaps, but can be a strong top six chance.  

The leading Kiwi contender for this year’s race. Brilliant preparation and his Ashburton Flying Stakes victory was his most powerful yet. Crushed his rivals in a dominant performance. Third in this race last year and is a better horse now. Should step quickly and find himself on the pace and he’s the logical contender to really push Leap To Fame.

A once in a generation kind of horse, how good is it to have the champ back on Kiwi soil. His Race by Betcha win still burns in the memory. This is a different kettle of fish though, a 3200m slog on the biggest stage of them all. If he can step onto the pace early then he’s almost impossible to beat but any little hitch and the door might open for others. No matter what though, the top pick in the race.  

A wonderful little stayer still working his way into the open class grade. Very good when fourth in the Canterbury Classic but did hug the markers the entire way that night. Tricky spot with some big guns inside him early and he’ll be looking for cover and hoping to finish the race off strong from a quiet trip. 

Brilliant in the North early on in the campaign and earned his spot in the field but a few questions over both runs in the south. Better at Kaikoura and will likely look to get himself close to the speed early but it’s whether or not he can go with them when the pressure goes on inside that final lap.  

Southland star who needs one scratching to make the field. While his form doesn’t read all that flash, sectionally he couldn’t have done much more. Won’t disgrace himself if he does make the field but looks a far stronger chance of winning the Junior Free-For-All earlier on in the day.  

The comeback kid of this season but it’s been a comeback that hasn’t been without its hurdles. Brave in both the Ashburton Flying Stakes and Kaikoura Cup and champion horseman Mark Purdon will have him primed and ready to run a big race. Good enough to finish second in this race two years ago and to see him fighting out the finish would come as no surprise.  

Relying on three scratchings to make the field. Form against the absolute top liners hasn’t been all that great and it would be hard to see him featuring if he did somehow earn a spot in the race.  

The buzz horse of the last couple of weeks. Brilliant Victoria Cup win over Leap To Fame last month and comes to NZ as a last minute inclusion. Connections wouldn’t have paid the late fee if they didn’t think he’d compete. First stand start under race conditions is the biggest question but he’s a horse with high speed and if he is close enough turning for home, they’ll know he’s there.  

The enigma in the lead up to this year’s race. Honestly, he looked set to be the leading Kiwi hope at one stage but a bit of bad luck and under performance in the past two starts has plenty of heads scratching. His best chance seems to be doing absolutely nothing through the first two thirds of the race and hoping for a drag into it to unleash late. High speed is his greatest asset.  

Wonderful stayer and former Gr.1 winner at this distance as well as a fourth placing in this race two years ago. Current form, however, isn’t quite at that level. Will thrive on the two miles, especially if run strong and has the right man in the bike in Ricky May who has won the Cup seven times. Needs to find a length or two though.  

Brilliant build up to this with some wonderful runs in all five runs. Hamstrung by a second row draw with his brilliant stand start manners but if he can get a run through from the second row somehow early and get himself onto the fence or just off the speed he’s a genuine top four chance. But a lot of luck is needed.  

Back to form with an eye-catching run at Kaikoura for third, but also strangled by the barrier draw. He’s a good stand start horse and is now left to rely on luck early and a nice trip in transit. Ran out this race brilliantly last year though so if they go to war up front and he gets a nice cart into it he’ll finish off the race strongly.  

Second in the race last year behind Swayzee but an indifferent sort of lead up with a mixed bag of a runs. His best would see him very competitive, but we haven’t seen that yet and from a tricky draw he’s really going to have to pull something out of the hat to repeat his effort of 12 months ago.  

Snuck into the final field at the 11th hour after a run of good efforts up in Auckland. Hasn’t been getting the standing start right and if he had he might very well have brought winning form into this. Can really unleash late when saved up for one run but will need plenty of favours from the outside of the second row.