Runner By Runner Guide | Group 1 Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup

One of a number of Australian raiders here for the race. Stepped cleanly and quickly at Kaikoura to lead but was found wanting a long way from home. Would need to improve many, many lengths to be a winning chance in this but tucked away on the markers could be a surprise packet late.  

An Addington favourite having won 12 of his 16 races on the hallowed track. He perhaps lacks the brilliance of some of his major rivals, but is as honest as the day is long and will relish a good strong two mile slog. Also a little unique in the fact he races as a free-legged pacer, meaning no hopples, which is a bit of rarity these days.  

Has emerged into form at the right time. Great in the Methven Cup when second, outstanding in the Canterbury Classic when third and even better for another third at Kaikoura last week. Has been in the race twice so knows what it’s all about. A great stand start exponent who should land on the markers first and then look for cover before using his speed late. A strong top five, top six prospect.  

The defending champion, back to try and grab another. An enormous win last year with all the odds stacked against him in the running. A repeat effort of that this year would take him close again but perhaps the jury is out a little on whether or not he’s ever recaptured that kind of form since. The signs are there he’s back on the way up but it’d be something remarkable to win it again given everything.  

Needs two scratchings to make the field and while he’s developing into a very nice open class horse going forward this particular mountain might have come to him 12 months too early if he does earn a place. 

A two-time winner of this race, Swayzee has rocketed himself back into contention for a third through two excellent wins in his last two starts back in Australia. Has looked a lot more like the old version of the grand campaigner. He loves the occasion, he loves the distance and he loves the race and all things are pointing toward him going close to creating his own slice of history.  

It’s been an up and down preparation for Tact McLeod who is on the way back up from a serious injury. There were moments where he didn’t look like he’d make the field but a sharp effort from well back at Kaikoura last Monday secured him his spot and signalled his heading in the right direction. Needs to improve again to be a contender but won’t disgrace himself.  

One of the greatest we’ve ever seen, it’s truly just a privilege to have Leap To Fame here. A somewhat different build up toward this race than everyone else with four easy-kill wins back home in Queensland but he’s a horse who for years has been doing things that are scarcely believable and if he turns up in the right frame of mind and gets the race he needs then he will be the horse to beat.  

One of the quiet achievers of the Cup build up this year, Renegade has been quietly chipping away and running good race after good race without doing anything too flashy. He’s stepping really quickly at the moment and will look to try and get across them early and into a good position and with that right trip he’s a decent top six chance in the field.  

The reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year, it’s fair to say that it’s been a tough 2026 so far for Republican Party but you can’t afford to drop him because his best is so good. Third in the race two years ago and then sixth last year he knows what the occasion is all about and if the opportunity presents he’ll, without doubt, give his big army of followers plenty to cheer for. 

The young star of New Zealand racing, Marketplace heads into this year’s Cup as the leading New Zealand combatant to the Australian raid. Superb second at Ashburton in the Flying Stakes and most importantly, the emergencies coming out will mean he moves to the outside of the front line. His best chance of winning looks to be finding cover and then using his high speed to charge at them late. A great chance.  

Needs a few scratchings to make the field and looks unlikely to get them either. Would find the going a little too rich if they somehow did eventuate.  

One of a couple of North Island raiders in the race, Bettor Knuckle Up brings some great form down with him. Huge in the race last year when coming from near last at the top of the straight and might have to do something similar here from a niggly draw. A nice sit off the speed and one crack at them and he can run into late.  

Like the name would suggest it’s been a tough build up for It’s Tough. Not much has gone right in the last two starts after getting shuffled back on the markers. The draw doesn’t help at all but one thing we are certain of is that he will relish a strongly run 3200m. Just needs the right kind of luck in running to bring him into contention.  

A brilliant Canterbury Classic winner and then superb in the Ashburton Flying Stakes, Bettors Anvil is one of the best Kiwi hopes. He’s flown under the radar for most of his career but has really stood up this time in and if he can get the right kind of trip during the running, he’ll fly at them late and can certainly finish top four.  

The wonderful Merlin is back for another crack at the Cup having finished fourth and third in the past two editions. Really sharp win in his last start at Alexandra Park before coming south and then was brilliant in the Cup trial on Wednesday when charging up the passing lane. He’s the forgotten horse of this year’s race and is the prime upset prospect.  

One of the real finds of 2026 in the NZ Pacing ranks The Lazarus Effect has been superb throughout the entire Cup build up including his brilliant Ashburton Flying Stakes win. Handicapped big time here by the barrier draw given his great stand start manners but might be able to throw the tow rope out on the back of Swayzee and get a decent run through to bring him into play.

The pride of the south, Dreams Are Free needs one scratching to make the field so holds a better chance than the other emergencies. He’s racing really well too and wouldn’t disgrace himself if he did make it in but looks a great chance in a race earlier on in the card.