This is his final Everest to climb.
Reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year and superstar trotter Monbet is the horse to beat in Friday’s Gr.1 $260,000 Haras des Trotteurs Dominion Handicap at Addington, Christchurch.
As it stands, the Dominion is the only major remaining in his homeland that he is yet to conquer following his sensational twelve month stretch which netted him seven Group One victories across Australasia.
His magnificent seven feature race victories came via the NZ Trotting FFA, National Trot, Australasian Trotting Championship, NZ Trotting Championship, ANZAC Cup, Rowe Cup and the Ruby on Jewels day.
And it would be a brave person to tip against him.
The Greg and Nina Hope trained five-year-old gelding has returned in sublime form winning both starts, the Ashburton Flying Stakes on October 24 followed by a typically cool Ricky May drive on Tuesday when successful in the Gr.1 NZ Trotting FFA for the second straight year.
May has won the Dominion on two previous occasions, his fist coming back in 1998 with Cedar Fella while Stylish Monarch proved successful in 2010.
This is the first time Monbet has tackled the Dominion after bypassing it last year but he is now clearly ready for the grueling 3200m stand-start feature, the biggest trotting event staged in the south island of New Zealand.
Naturally, this is not a given for Monbet but his credentials are far superior to that of his rivals.
First staged back in 1911, the race had two editions with winners being Quincey and Clive, the honour roll boasts some of the very best names who have rightfully etched their place into the history books.
Names including Logan Count, Johnny Gee, Easton Light, Scotch Tar, Scotch Notch, Landoras Pride, Tussle, Sundon, David Moss, Call Me Now, Lyell Creek, Take A Moment, Stig, I Can Doosit and Master Lavros among many others have reached the summit of the Dominion.
Multiple winners of the great race include Michael Galindo, Whispering Willie, Durban Chief, Easton Light, Scotch Tar, David Moss, Lyell Creek, Take A Moment and the most recent is Master Lavros.
The great Lyell Creek and his stablemate Take A Moment are the only trotters to win on three occasions.
But the Dominion has proven to be a bogie race for some top trotters and recently, millionaire performer Stent found the Dominion a bridge to far to climb.
After three attempts, the best Stent could manage was a third placing behind Master Lavros back in 2013.
Some other champions that have also come up short include Pride Of Petite, Wagon Apollo, Buster Hanover and Diamond Field among others.
So, it all points to Monbet for the 2016 edition but he will face stiff opposition through the likes of the Australian trained Kyvalley Blur plus Amaretto Sun, Bordeaux, Harriet Of Mot, Sheemon, Sunny Ruby and One Over Da Moon.
Champion reinsman Anthony Butt, now based in Australia holds the record with 9 victories in the great race and partners the Brent Lilley prepared Kyvalley Blur.
The Dominion kicks of the 2016/17 Australian Pacing Gold Trotting Masters and the event is scheduled to start at 4.38pm local time.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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