Hunter Cup runner adds class to Murray Cup

Albury’s $60,000 Murray Cup this Friday is the penultimate leg of Harness Racing NSW’s Carnival of Cups and Curly James (A Rocknroll Dance) is a major drawcard after a brave last-start performance in the A.G. Hunter Cup.

He was far disgraced when seventh behind Australia’s pin-up pacer Leap To Fame and boom Kiwi Dont Stop Dreaming who has since franked the form with a Group 3 win in Sydney.

Curly James went into the Hunter Cup on a winning note having dug deep to land the Shepparton Cup two starts back and while he starts from the back row he came from this same barrier to finish runner up to Inter Dominion runner up Better Eclipse at Melton three starts back.

Those form lines are strong for this race.

Missed The Truth is hard to knock having won the latest round of the Carnival of Cups, coming from this same draw and racing wide on the last lap but proving too good in the Tamworth Cup three weeks ago.

That continued a string of top-three finishes that includes wins at Menangle and Melton so he must rate highly.

Tay Tay is a good mare who will be fitter for a midfield effort when resuming behind Eureka winner Encipher in a good line-up of mares in the Ladyship Cup at Melton. She was consistent before the spell and looks a player.

Freddy Singh brings decent form into this contest having scored two back at Penrith before he drew wide and placed at Menangle last start. He can get into the finish.

A pair of Group 1-performed mares are among a strong line-up for the night’s other feature, the SS & A Club of Albury Bruce Hales Memorial Trotters Cup.

Aldebaran Keepa was a Group 1 winner of the Victoria Oaks back in 2022 and comes into this race in good form having placed against decent company in all three starts since a win at Bendigo in December.

She is joined by Thebestbourbon who makes her first appearance since a fourth in the Group 1 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final at Albion Park late last year.

To view the Racing and Sports form guide click here.

For complete race entries, click here.

From Harness Racing New South Wales