By Duane Ranger
When Lemond lines up in the Rowe Cup on April 28 it will continue a 60-year tradition for Cambridge-based ‘Hall-of-Famer’, Charlie Hunter (OMNZ).
“The Rowe Cup is a race that all trainers of trotters want to win. I’ve been fortunate to have lined up several horses over the years, and of course Jenner won it in 1984.
“Young Quinn was the best pacer I have trained but I have sat behind many fine trotters over the years. The Rowe Cup, Dominion, and the former Inter-Dominion Final were the big three we all wanted to win.
“I remember running third in the Rowe Cup with Safety Catcher in the late 1950s. The race was won by Recruit and Maurice Holmes. I have a proud family history with the Rowe Cup,” Hunter said.
“I can also remember 1963 when I drove Jenner’s grand-dam, Min Scott, to win the Dominion Handicap at Addington. My father (Jack) trained and bred him, and Mum (Nell) owned him. That was a very special occasion,” he added.
Min Scott (1957) was a U Scott black mare, who won 12 races for Hunter Senior. In fact he won the national trainer’s premiership the year Min Scott won the Dominion.
Jenner had 185 starts from April 22 1980 until February 11, 1989, and won 33 races and placed 49 times for $281,295.
John Langdon drove him to win the Rowe Cup because Hunter was still recovering from a smash he suffered in the New Zealand Derby.
Some of Hunter’s other quality Rowe Cup starters have included Directorship, Game Folly and 2007-2008 Trotter-Of-The-Year, Sovereignty.
Hunter said any other year Lemond probably wouldn’t persevere with the Anzac Cup – Rowe Cup double on April 21 and 28.
“With Monbet, Master Lavros and Speeding Spur all out, it’s worth having a crack. Sure we will be on the unruly but that might be a good thing.
“Lemond got more room last time he lined up from a stand and finished well for third. I think Maurice (McKendry) will drive him conservatively from back there and give him his chance if the gaps open up at the right time,” said Hunter.
“It’s a much more even race now that the guns are not lining up, and he does know the track very well,” he added.
Lemond will go into the Anzac Cup after a gutsy two-length win over his age-group foe, Temporale, in last Friday’s feature trot at Alexandra Park, the $16,000 Haras des Trotteurs Mobile for the R81 and faster squaregaiters.
Lemond trotted the 2200m mobile from gate one in 2:44.3 (mile rate 2:00.2) and home in 59 even and 29.1. He was the $3.70 second favourite and it was the Love You – Cipollini gelding’s sixth win in 21 starts. He’s also placed seven times for $67,185 in stakes.
Hunter paid a tribute to current trainer, Ross Paynter and former conditioner, Sean McCaffrey.
“They have done a good job with him because although he’s a bit erratic from a stand, he is a very promising young trotter.
“I still like to fast-work him every now and then – and he gives me a good feel said Hunter, who is in his early 80s.
He hoped Lemond could emulate the feats of his former Inter-Dominion Trotting champion – the 14-win Geffin, whom he trained and drove.
“Geffin was the first 4-year-old to win the Inter-Dominon Final. He also won both heats as well Lemond is also four, so I’m hoping he can also make a statement on Rowe Cup night,” he added.
Lemond is owned by Hunter and his wife Annette, Margaret O’Connell, Fiona Hunter; and was bred by Ross, Howard, and Bryan Paynter.
Hunter, the champion trainer-driver, owner, breeder, agent and administrator, was presented with the 2003 Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing award.
The award came just six weeks after he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday honours.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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