By Matt Markham
What a difference a week makes.
Seven days ago the stocks of Stent took a hit with his shock defeat in the Ashburton Trotter’s Flying Mile.
Roll forward to now however and it’s a different story.
The outstanding trotter returned to being the top of the pops with a New Zealand record breaking effort yesterday in the feature trot at Kaikoura – sending a clear statement for his Cup Week opponents in the process.
“That should get everyone back on side,’’ Stent’s co-trainer and driver Colin DeFilippi said.
“I’m taking the blame for last week, I let him get away on me but I’m pretty sure everyone who saw him today would have noticed they were looking at a much different horse.’’
DeFilippi’s input from the sulky certainly suggested as much with the normally reserved horseman piling on the pressure.
He made arch-rival, Master Lavros, work hard to get past him after the pair began quickly. And DeFilippi even toyed with the idea of keeping the Mark Jones trained pacer outside him.
“I was going to boot up again as we got closer to the bend but he relaxed back to me beautifully.’’
With the aid of a nice trip in transit behind Master Lavros the race was always going to be his to lose and he managed to not let the side down.
Stent trotted the 2400 metres in 3.00.2 – bettering the previous national mark, set by Boizel in the same race three years ago, by nearly half a second.
“That should clear any cobwebs that were left right out.’’
A decision hadn’t been made on Monday night between DeFilippi and the gelding’s owner, Trevor Casey as to whether or not they will line up in both races on Cup Week.
“We need to have a chat about that. I don’t think both will worry him backing up, he’s a lot better horse now than what he was 12 months ago.’’
In behind the now once again seemingly unbreakable Stent it was Waterloo Sunset who caught the eye. The Paul Nairn trained trotter boomed home late in the hands of Bob Butt to finish a clear second.
“He’s trotting a lot better now,’’ Nairn said.
“We pulled him out of the Dominion Handicap a month or so ago but we will more than likely be there on Cup Day.’’
It’s been a big weekend for the big horse. He won at Addington on Friday and then became a father for the first time on Saturday morning when Gee Abby foaled a colt and then placed in a Group III race yesterday.
Equally as impressive was Quite A Moment who finished third after sitting parked for a good portion of the last lap and a half – confirming her as a chance to run a placing in next week’s Dominion based on her staying qualities.
Master Lavros knocked up inside the last 50 metres but trainer Mark Jones was far from despondent with the effort.
“We aren’t making excuses but I know we were a run short and he generally improves with racing.
“The main thing was that we got around safely – he didn’t feel at all comfortable on the bends.
“I’m happy enough, but we need to improve a lot to beat Stent, he’s flying.’’
The disappointment of yesterday’s race was undoubtedly Vincennes who dropped out to finish a long and lonely last.
A veterinary examination following the race revealed he had heat and swelling in his right hind leg.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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