Young Ben hopeful of going back to back in National Trot

When Harness Racing New Zealand published the nominations for last week’s Lyell Creek stakes, the one glaring omission was the presence of the Greg and Nina Hope-trained Muscle Mountain (Muscle Hill).

By his own imperious standards, his performance in the TAB Trot on Grin’s night at Cambridge Raceway three weeks ago appeared to be below his best which led to concerns there may have been something amiss, at least from this scribe.

A quick voice-note to his young junior driver dispelled any fears that the champ had suffered any setbacks and that the intention was to get a little freshen up for his title defence of his National Trot and bypassing the Lyell Creek was necessary evil.

“That was always the plan but to be fair, I haven’t seen him since the Grins night, so I am only going by the reports of Mum and Dad but they are happy with him and there has only been positive news from how he has been working ahead of tomorrow night’s assignment,” said Hope.

“He was probably slightly below his best in the TAB Trot but there were a few factors I think that didn’t quite suit ultimately. The draw wasn’t ideal with how the track was running and obviously the speed inside him, to end up three back on the outer when they are running home in a very slick half it was going to be mission impossible. In saying that, you have to give full credit to the Aussie horses, they were awesome on the night,” he said.

Just Believe further solidified his reputation as the best trotter in Australasia at present with a domineering performance in the Lyell Creek to remain unbeaten in his two New Zealand starts to date. He trotted the Alexandra Park bends flawlessly in his first effort right handed and while he had the speed freak Oscar Bonavena on his back throughout the 2200m journey, ‘Harry’ showed he is as fast as he is tough having had to slug out his victory a fortnight earlier in the $600,000 TAB Trot.

JUST BELIEVE REPLAY

The 2700m and small front line void of the likes of Callmethebreeze and Queen Elida racing Muscle Mountain off the gate provides the son of Muscle Hill with a prime opportunity to turn the tables on the Jess Tubbs trained superstar.

He showed at Cambridge once again how quick he can get off the arm and went very close to throwing the script out the window when all but crossing Callmethebreeze from his hopeless barrier position. If he was to find the front and arrives in peak form and fitness, Just Believe will have to be at his best to sit outside him for two and a quarter laps.

“I would be very surprised if anything could hold him out, he has great speed and you hardly even have to ask him and he can fly the gate. I expect him to be leading,” said Hope.

“Our best bet is to be in front of him and he is obviously a champion horse and we have to park him and see how he gets on, that will give us our best opportunity. Muscle Mountain handles the Auckland way good as gold, I wouldn’t say he isn’t any worse that way round and won the same race there last year along with a couple of others so I don’t think the track holds any concern,” he said.

Greg & Nina Hope will have two further chances with the ever courageous Midnight Dash (Muscle Hill) continuing to race out of his skin at the highest level. He was tucked in along the markers in what was a bit of a walk and sprint home last week and battled on ok for fourth, but Hope expects to see an improved performance from the stable runner.

“I think you will see a better horse than last week and I think he’s a genuine chance to get some place money.

“Obviously Oscar Bonavena looks like he will get a nice run from the draw and Just Believe will be in the thick end of things but if one of the more fancied runners gets a bit of bad luck, I think he could take advantage of it and will improve off his last start.

“Eurokash (Love You) deserves his opportunity, he has been racing below his best but at his best he is a nice horse and he deserves his chance and it’s great for the family to have three in the race for connections,” he said.

For complete Alexandra Park fields, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink