Because after riding Gus to a huge Cup week in Group 1, the Queenslander says he may not be back until the first half of 2026.
McMullen was all controlled aggression to add the NZ Trotting Free-For-All to Tuesday’s Renwick Farms Dominion Trot as he was parked to hold off Muscle Mountain and Oscar Bonavena in another no-fight performance with leader Jilliby Ballerini dropping out.
It meant a massive week for McMullen and his wife Chantal Turpin, who trains Gus, but although they enjoyed their time in Christchurch and all is well for the next cup week, McMullen was unsure whether an autumn campaign in the north would be on the horizon.
“We have had discussions about the final race (TAB Trot in Cambridge in April), but not very seriously and haven’t really gone into it yet,” said McMullen.
“So we’ll see what happens, but I’m not sure its owners will buy a lock.”
GUS REPEAT
Replay here if available
That probably won’t be necessary as after his dominance of the two huge trots this carnival, Gus will be at the top of many slot holders’ shopping lists when the Turpin/McMullen team look to make another Trans Tasman trip in April.
What would help is if they can get Gus to trot well right-handed, which would open the door for races like the Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park a few weeks later and make the trip a multi-objective campaign.
But considering how long it took to get Gus almost flawlessly left-handed, the Queensland couple may not be in a hurry to tinker with him to go the other way.
And any autumn campaign in New Zealand is complicated by the fact that the Inter Dominions are now based in Queensland in the winter, on Gus’s home track, and after this week he, and Victorian star Keayang Zahara, could put most Kiwis off making that trip.
Muscle Mountain was brave in second place and Oscar Bonavena flashed home again for third place, but as good as they were in the open trotting class this week belong to the horse with the little name and the big heart.
For full race results, click here.
Through Michael Guerinfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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