The big pacer will be aiming to seal a hat-trick of Cup racing victories after winning the recent Riverton and Waikouaiti Cups for trainer Brett Gray.
Gore’s Summer Cup is part of a great day of racing celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Gore Harness Racing Club.
The Big Lebowski was bred and developed in Eastern Southland by Robin Swain, who made an enormous contribution to harness racing in the region.
The nine-year-old comes from a family where Swain and the late Colin Baynes had excellent success.
Both Baynes and Swain and their star horses will be recognized at the Gore Harness Racing Club’s 125th anniversary celebration.
The Big Lebowski recorded a convincing win in the Waikouaiti Cup on the same 40m handicap he faced in Gore.
Although his challenge over a slightly shorter distance on Sunday looks the same, his trainer knows it won’t be easy.
“The horse is doing great, he’s in a good space at the moment and I’m hopeful he’ll have another great race,” Gray said.
“It’s probably a next step for him this week with the field he’s racing on.”
“But I’m very happy with him and the longer distances on the grass suit him well, so hopefully he’s not too far away.”
Horses with local connections will wear special Gore Harness Racing Club 125 Years colors at all races on Sunday.
Dan Anderson aboard Julie Jacka, owned by club fanatics Charlie and Ailsa Smaill, will carry the silks in the Kim McDowall Painting Gore Summer Trotting Cup.
Gray and the Smaills also have the last start winner Jaccka Ace who steps out on Sunday.
“He actually goes down in rank after that win, so if he does everything right again, he should have a pretty good chance.”
Gray will start two more trotters at the Gore meeting in Daisymerollin and Franco Hefner.
“Franco Hefner takes it a step further. It is never easy for a trotter who comes from the girls, but he is a nice horse and has a good chance if he can do everything right.”
“Daisymerollin will have to bring her manners too after her little mistake at Riverton.”
“If she trots, she won’t be far away, I wouldn’t think.”
Riverton turf winner Arma Forrest looks to have a both-way chance for the Gray team despite going wide in barrier 8.
Havtimefordiamonds also steps onto the grass in front of the stable after her last attempt on the surface.
With two runners from his own stable, Robin Swain will set out on Sunday for a unique double.
In addition to a potential win as a breeder with The Big Lebowski, Swain will also be looking to score with Bowlem Over and Magnetic Beckers, both of whom will start in the Gore final.
“They both like grass and they both seem like good prospects,” Swain said.
“It’s a small decline for Magnetic Beckers, he raced well.”
“Bowlem Over could be a slightly better opportunity, just a draw on the front row would allow him to race handily, which he likes to do.”
‘He has also won on the grass at Gore before.’
Brent Barclay will ride for both the Gray and Swain stables on Sunday, along with The Big Lebowski, Magnetic Beckers, Jacka Ace, Arma Forrest and Daisymerollin.
Through Jonny Turnerfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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