By Matt Markham
If the second Tuesday in November is the main course, then this Friday night surely must be the entree.
Eight of the leading contenders for this year’s New Zealand Trotting Cup in November will be in action at Addington this week for the New Brighton Cup – offering a real taste test of what is to come in the next month and a half as the lead up really intensifies.
In a coup for Addington Raceway officials, it’s rare to see all the major contenders in action together this early in proceedings with Ashburton’s Flying Stakes late in October the more traditional shadow Cup field.
Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen made the shock announcement last week that all three of their stars; Lazarus, Have Faith In Me and Smolda would be in attendance, after indicating only one or two would be racing this week.
“We are happy with how they are all progressing,” Purdon said last week.
“It makes sense to get the first run under their belt now and then see where we are really at because you can only get so much out of trials and workouts.”
The All Stars will head to the meeting some trepidations though, particularly around the stand start manners of current Cup favourite, Have Faith In Me.
The Miracle Mile winner of last season stepped cleanly last Tuesday at the Ashburton workouts, but was aided by a flying walk up start which he is unlikely to get on Friday night.
Natalie Rasmussen, who will drive the five-year-old, intends on giving the gelding as much time and room as he needs.
“It’s got to be a case of just giving him every chance we can and hoping for the best really,” Rasmussen said.
“He’ll get there eventually.”
With Rasmussen doing the driving of Have Faith In Me and Purdon sticking with Lazarus, stable pinch-hitter Tim Williams will handle the duties on last year’s Cup runner-up, Smolda.
In another shock driving announcement, it was confirmed early this week that North Island horseman, Josh Dickie will be the driver of Locharburn this week and going forward if Dexter Dunn elects to remain driving Christen Me, who is also in action this week.
Many expected Blair Orange to handed the drive, but Dickie’s association with the stable of Kevin Chapman and also the fact he has driven Locarburn before when he campaigned in Auckland has let to his booking.
Dickie will drive with the knowledge that if after this week Dunn elects to get off Christen Me that he will be given the opportunity to then drive Locharburn.
Christen Me looked well forward last week when he beat the All Stars trio at Ashburton.
Cran Dalgety has signalled his intention to race Christen Me this week and then give him a short spell before returning him late in the Cup build up.
Hannon Memorial winner, Franco Nelson and runner-up Tiger Tara are both also in action this week while Mossdale Conner and Quick As A Trick make up the remainder of the field.
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