19 October 2017 | Trots Media – Cody Winnell
From the producers of such star titles as Lennytheshark and Hectorjayjay comes an intriguing tale of a stayer named like a sprinter, and a gelding named like a colt.
Airing exclusively at Swan Hill live on Saturday night, it’s Thereal Usain Colt in the Group 3 3SH Swan Hill Pacing Cup.
Trained by Aiken Racing, the former Kiwi takes his place in the opening leg of the Trots Country Cups Championship and, with champion reinsman Gavin ‘the Iceman’ Lang in the sulky, a forward showing looks assured.
David Aiken, who spearheads the Avenel operation responsible for last weekend’s Allied Express Victoria Cup champion Lennytheshark, says Thereal Usain Colt will improve on whatever he does this weekend.
“He’ll get better as he goes along but he’s the perfect country cups horse,” the master horseman told Trots Media.
“In New Zealand he’s raced against the likes of Have Faith In Me and I’ve been really happy with what he’s done at home since we’ve had him.”
Championship success is a key aim for Thereal Usain Colt, with $25,000 to the trainer and connections of the Trots Country leader at season’s end (the Championship ends with the running of the Horsham on April 22).
However, Aiken isn’t ruling out Thereal Usain Colt shooting for Summer of Glory success with the Hunter Cup the obvious target. “We’ll wait and see how he goes between now and then,” Aiken said.
Punters jumped on Thereal Usain Colt early this week for Swan Hill, his fixed odds tightening from $3.8 into $2.9 with TAB.com.au.
Multiple metro winner Egodan is second-favourite for ‘Rocket’ Rod Petroff, while Young Modern is on the next line of betting for the commanding Emma Stewart/Chris ‘the Puppet’ Alford combination.
Messini is $8 fixed odds, the seven-year-old having returned in good nick this this prep for Brent Lilley and Anthony Butt, while popular mare Milly Perez is also single-fire odds for Larry Eastman and John ‘JJ’ Caldow.
3SH Swan Hill Cup night is one of the most popular meetings on the trots calendar and the club is going all out to deliver patrons a night to remember.
“We’ve got loads of activities for kids, live music and roving entertainment, plus the always popular pony trots,” Swan Hill secretary Marnya Watson said.
“You’ve got to see these pony trots kids in their colours and the cute ponies, it’s a great spectacle.
“We’ve also got a punters’ club again and if you pre-book a ticket in that at our website (www.swanhilltrots.com.au) you will go into the draw to win one of two massive $200 betting vouchers on the night courtesy of TAB.com.au.
“We’ve got a panel of pros running the punters’ club and they’ll give you a great shot at turning your $20 per ticket into a profit.”
As has been the case in recent years at Swan Hill the club is once again embracing its role as a community supporter, giving away $10,000 in cash to community groups on the night.
Five community groups will benefit from the random draws.
“It’s a way of giving something back to our community and highlighting that the trots is a caring industry and we’re all for supporting deserving groups and being an active community player,” Ms Watson said.
The club will feature on a 3SH live broadcast at the Community Tree (the main street) between 10am and 3pm tomorrow (Friday), with free passes to Cup night up for grabs.
“We’d love to see local people come down and say hello and we’ll be giving away tickets to Cup Night,” Ms Watson said.
For bookings and more details visit www.swanhilltrots.com.au
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