Grumpee on best behaviour to win Trotters Cup

Former Victorian trotter Grumpee (Muscle Mass) gave a faultless harness racing display when he fought back gamely to win the $50,000 Group 2 Nova Trotters Cup at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

The win was yet another triumph for trainer David Young who has formed a strong association with Victorian trainer Alison Alford and her husband Chris who have sent over a number of good trotters in the past including Patched and That’s Not My Gait.

A full field of twelve runners lined up to compete in Western Australia’s premier trotting event of the season. Despite blotting his copybook at his previous start when he galloped in the Trotters sprint punters were prepared to give Grumpee another chance and he was sent out a clear favourite ahead of My Lightning McQueen and the improved mare Majestic Ga Ga who was coming off 50 metres.

The all important start saw Grumpee commence safely while Line The Starzz showed plenty of early speed to go to a clear lead. Grumpee went past the galloping Yankee Lover to settle in third with My Lightning McQueen poised right behind.

GRUMPEE 30 JAN REPLAY

Meanwhile off her 50 metre handicap Majestic Ga Ga was slowly away  and she was well back. Aiden De Campo on Grumpee made the right move at the bell when he came off the fence but he was then being stalked by My Lightning McQueen.

Grumpee sailed past Line The Starzz turning for home but at that point My Lightning McQueen sprinted quickly three wide and actually got a metre in front of Grumpee. However the effort told and Grumpee came again to outstay My Lightning McQueen by half a neck with Majestic Ga Ga another fifteen metres away in third place. Although she was doing her best work at the finish she never looked likely to trouble the front two runners.

Grumpee rated 2.02.4 for the 2503 metres standing start journey which is outside the record set equally by Patched and Mr Sundon of 2.1.1.

The win was De Campo third in the Trotters Cup having previously been successful on stable mate Patched in 2023 and 2025.

Trainer David Young reflected on the success of Grumpee. He declared

Long live the trotters . Patched was sent over to me by Chris and Alison. That’s Not My Gait we actually bred and sent over to Chris and Alison and that’s how she came back. Alison rang me six months ago. She said just the way prizemoney was over there (Victoria) they were looking to move a few horses on. She mentioned I think he (Grumpee) would do alright over there.

Chris had always said he was a lot better horse than what Patched was.  So we decided to give him a go. So I had a chat to Brian Simeon who’s had Jackie Daniels. I know trotters are not a highlight so as to speak but I said I think this horse is worth a go. I think Patched has won $250,000 since he’s been here so if he can do anywhere near that kind of job he’s worth having a crack at. He’s paid us back in spades.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink