Get ready for May – exciting feature racing is here

With the leaves retreating from the boughs of trees and the temperature taking a dive you could be mistaken for thinking high-class racing is also preparing for an early hibernation – that’s certainly not the case with May being a month of some great feature harness racing.

Here we look into the exciting few weeks ahead.

Two of the major titles to be decided during the month are the NZ Messenger and National trot titles with the feature events set to take place on Friday the 3rd of May.

The Messenger has been one of the great harness racing features for some time, past winners include Stanley Rio, the victor in 1977, Roydon Glen, who claimed the title in 1984, Dillon Dean, who was driven to his win in 1989 by Colin DeFilippi when proving too strong for Surmo Way and Reba Lord, and the great Chokin, who defied race rivals from a poor draw to put his name on the trophy in 1993.

In recent years Lazarus (2017) Spankem (2019) and Copy That (2021) have added to the history of the race.

It’s a race that demands a champion with characteristics that define that very word – talent, stamina and, most importantly, a will to win.

Spankem takes the NZ Messenger of 2019

Moving south to Canterbury the Country Cup Championship is set to play out on the 10^th of May. While the fact that the race is staged on the all-weather surface is something of a conversation point the final will be hotly contested by those that have been both consistent and tractable across the Summer months. It’s a great opportunity for those that could be just under the open class ranks to snare themselves a well-deserved feature win.

The notable races in May continue at Alexandra Park with the running of the ANZAC Cup and Roy Purdon Memorial features taking place on the 17^th of May.

The ANZAC Cup has seen its fair share of superstar winners in its relatively short history. I Can Doosit took out the inaugural running of the event in 2012 while Stent (2013) Monbet (2016) and a treble of wins from the great Sundees Son (2019,2020, 2021) add to the growing list of champions that have taken the title.

Sundees Son makes it three ANZAC Cup victories with this strong display of trotting in 2022. 

The month of May finishes with a major bang with both Rowe Cup and Auckland Cup titles to be decided on the 24^th

The champions of both these features need little introduction. The Rowe Cup, with its history dating back towards the start of the 20^th century, is arguably the pinnacle event for the squaregaiters on the calendar.

Lyell Creek would have to be the most celebrated of all Rowe Cup victors, winning the title three times, his trotting record and the nature of his performances remain the benchmark of trotting greatness to this day. One Over Kenny (2007, 2009) I Can Doosit (2011,2012) and Sundees Son (2019,2021) are recent multiple time winners of the event.  Last year Love N The Port captured the title from the soon-to-be Dominion Handicap winner in Oscar Bonavena.

I Can Doosit repeats in the Rowe Cup of 2012

The history of the Auckland Cup goes back into the end of the 1800’s, an amazing history that started in 1890 with a victory over 3 miles by Commodore. In between World Wars Man 0’War and Gold Jacket both grabbed two titles while the star power really arrived with a win by Indianapolis in 1933.

The 1960’s saw some great champions crowned, Cardigan Bay won the title in 1961 and 1963, Lordship defeated Jay Ar to claim the title in 1964, and Robin Dundee upstaged rivals to take the victory in 1965.

Delightful Lady (1980,1981) Luxury Liner (1987,1988) Chokin (1993,1994) Elsu (2003,2004) Themightyquinn (2011,2013) and Self Assured (2019,2021) have also collected multiple Auckland Cup titles.

From NZ to Australia and back again – Themightyquinn captures the Auckland Cup of 2013

No one could rightfully say that the Auckland Cup lacks an honour roll of the absolute highest quality.

There’s plenty to be excited about when it comes to the month of May!

by Harnesslink Media