The first harness racing rankings lists have been released for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 12.
The top three have already sealed their place in the $1m New Zealand Cup. They are Inter-Dominion champion Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight), fellow Australian and Auckland Cup winner Better Eclipse (Betterthancheddar) and Dalton Shard (Always B Miki) after his victory in last month’s Allied Security Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington.
Taylor Mile and Messenger winner Mach Shard comes in at fourth while $1m The Race by Grins winner Merlin rounds out the top five.
Defending champion Oscar Bonavena, all-conquering Australian Just Believe and Ordeal Cup winner Aardiebythehill have all qualified for the $400,000 Dominion Trot.
Just Believe, who was unbeaten in this country in four starts in April and May this year, makes the cut through his win in the Rowe Cup.
Muscle Mountain is fourth, with the French-bred Callmethebreeze coming in at five, ahead of another Australian in Im Ready Jet.
Both the New Zealand Cup and the Dominion Trot will be limited to 15 starters.
Rankings will be updated weekly, with the final rankings coming out after the Kaikoura meeting on Monday, November 4.
To see the first rankings, click here.