By Michael Guerin
Just as Monbet has emerged as New Zealand’s best trotter his arch rival is set to make a surprise return to challenge him.
Monbet’s rise from being our second best three-year-old trotter last season to a red hot favourite for Thursday’s National Trot at Alexandra Park against the elite older trotters has been breathtaking, his performances this season stamping him one of the most exciting young trotters ever in this part of the world.
He has been so stunning thrashing established stars Stent and Master Lavros in his last two starts Monbet is the $1.60 favourite for Thursday’s group one but he could have an old foe to contend with, with Speeding Spur to be a late nomination for the National Trot this morning.
His connections will pay a small late entry fee into the $80,000 trot as well as nominating him for an intermediate trot on Thursday’s exceptional programme.
“We are starting to lean toward the National Trot, even though it wasn’t on the radar a month ago,” says co-trainer Josh Dickie.
“With Master Lavros sidelined and a few of the other big names having a few issues, it might not be as strong as it could have been.
“But we will decide in the morning (Monday).”
Speeding Sour was clearly superior to Monbet last season when the latter suffered from an array of issues but Dickie admits he and his father John have been as impressed as anybody by Monbet’s improvement this campaign.
“You just don’t see four-year-olds beat the older trotters like he has been doing so now it is up to our fella to see how much he has improved too.
“It could be too big an ask to win on Thursday but it might be a better comeback race than starting off a big handicap.” Speeding Spur warmed up for his return with a sharp second to Sheemon at the Pukekohe workouts yesterday, the winner showing he has recovered he colic that ruled him out of Thursday’s Flying Mile at Cambridge.
The fields for Alexandra Park’s biggest meeting of the year, which has a 3pm start time on Thursday, are released this afternoon, with trainer Brian Hughes confirming Hughie Green will be in the Auckland Cup after his brave age-group defeat at Cambridge on Thursday.
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