Ashburton Trotters Sprint – another win for Dobbie

“He felt awesome and back on track, put it that way,” Ben Hope said after Muscle Mountain (Muscle Hill) won the $40,000 Group Three What The Hill Ashburton Trotters Sprint today (Oct. 23).

In doing so the giant trotter became the first horse to win the trotting classic three times. Dual winners over the years have been Call Me Now (1994 and 1995), Take A Moment (2002 and 2003), Allegro Agitato (2004 and 2005), Stig (2007 and 2008), Dr Hook (2011 and 2012) and Marcoola (2018 and 2019).

The winning margin was six lengths with Smokin Bandar (Monkey Bones) finishing second and Time Up The Hill (Muscle Hill) running on well for third.

“Sometimes I’ve driven him a bit pretty in front but I think it’s got to the stage where I need to drive him like he’s the best horse.”

The win puts Muscle Mountain well and truly to the forefront of Group One Dominion Handicap discussions.

“There’s a few doubters out there but we know we’re going to have him tip top on Dominion day and today I just wanted to prove to people that he still has to be respected.”

Just before the finish line Hope made a victory salute in honour of the horse’s late owner Ian Dobson.

“I’m not one to do a salute but I’m incredibly honoured to be driving this horse and a huge part of that is to Ian and that salute was for him.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink