Dominion Trot test looms for Kyvalley Hotspur

The Brent Lilley-prepared Kyvalley Hotspur (Muscle Hill) is set to target New Zealand’s $400,000 Dominion Trot on November 12.

The squaregaiter has been spending some time across the Tasman since his last start win in the Bendigo Trotters Cup on April 26.

“He is already over there (New Zealand),” Lilley said.

The six-year-old has begun his preparation for the November 12 feature with New Zealand horseman, Robert Butt handling duties.

“He raced first-up at Addington last week and ran a really good third off 30 meters,” he said. “He will be racing on the grass in the Banks Peninsula Trotters Cup on Sunday (Oct 22) off 10 meters.

“He just needs a little bit of racing between now and Dominion Trot time, but he is heading in the right direction.”

The standing start conditions of the $400,000 event shouldn’t be a problem according to the 48-year-old.

“He is great from a standing start and he won all those country cups in Victoria from a stand,” he said.

The $400,000 event could see a strong Victorian contingent make the journey across with Just Believe, Arcee Phoenix and the newest additions to the Andy Gath-stable Im Ready Jet and Callmethebreeze in contention for a trip across the Tasman.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria