It’s hard not to get the feeling that the road to the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup actually begins this weekend.
We could imagine it starting with the first open class race of the spring or with a number of other races along the way.
But only when you have all the big boys together in one place can you really measure who is moving in the right direction before November 11th.
Friday night’s $60,000 Lamb And Hayward Canterbury Classic in Addington is that race.
If you win and you’re ready for the cup, the best in the north, Merlin and Sooner The Bettor, will see them take on the likes of Republican Party, We Walk By Faith, Alta Meteor and Don’t Stop Dreaming.
Sure, Akuta is out after mucus was found in his throat following his sub-par effort in Addington last Friday. But we know where he is and he might not even make it to the cup.
And Friday night’s drama is set against the backdrop of Saturday night’s Leap To Fame races in the Victoria Cup.
If he wins, the top of the NZ Cup market could remain the same. If he doesn’t, the armor world will tilt on its axis.
So aside from Akuta and Swayzee, we have all the major players on display this weekend with nowhere to hide.
Friday’s Group 2 barrier draw looks to best suit Merlin and Sooner The Bettor in the front line, but the TAB has opened the Republican Party and We Walk By Faith as favorites and an open field of rare capacity adds to the importance of luck in the running.
The open class trot just 31 minutes earlier will be a great form guide for the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot as Mighty Logan meets the big three again in Oscar, Bet N Win and Muscle Mountain and although the handicaps remain the same as when he won the Worthy Queen last Friday, this time the stragglers have 600 meters more to overtake him.
This evening also features the Garrards’ Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic.
To see the Addington fields on Friday evening click here
Through Michael Guerinfor Harness Racing New Zealand
#Big #guns #gathering #showdown #Addington