By Michael Guerin
It is hard not to get the feeling the road to the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup actually starts this weekend.
We may suggest that is starts with the first open class race of the spring or some of the others along the way.
But it is not until you get all the big boys together in one place you get to really measure who is going in the right direction for November 11.
Friday night’s $60,000 Lamb And Hayward Canterbury Classic at Addington is that race.
A win-and-you-are-in for the Cup it sees the best in the north, Merlin and Sooner The Bettor, come down to take on Republican Party, We Walk By Faith, Alta Meteor and Don’t Stop Dreaming among others.
Sure Akuta isn’t there after mucus was found in his throat following his below expected effort at Addington last Friday. But we know where he stands and maybe he might not even make it to the Cup.
And Friday night’s drama is set against the backdrop of Leap To Fame racing in the Victoria Cup on Saturday night.
If he wins the top of the NZ Cup market might stay the same. If he doesn’t the harness world will tilt on its axis.
So Akuta and Swayzee aside, we have all the big players on show this weekend with nowhere to hide.
The barrier draws for Friday’s Group 2 would seem to suit Merlin and Sooner The Bettor on the front line best but the TAB have opened Republican Party and We Walk By Faith as the favourites and a rare capacity open class field adds to the importance of luck in the running.
The open class trot just 31 minutes earlier will be a great form guide to the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot as Mighty Logan meets the big three again in Oscar, Bet N Win and Muscle Mountain and while the handicaps stay the same as when he won the Worthy Queen last Friday the backmarkers have 600m more to catch him this time.
The night also boasts the Garrards’ Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic.
To see the fields at Addington this Friday night click here
