Ben there done that!

Mossdale Ben (A Rocknroll Dance) and driver Ben Hope combined their talent to win today’s (Aug. 20) $20,000 Waitaki Hotel Kurow Cup at the Oamaru harness racing meeting.

Starting off the 20 metre mark, Hope settled in the single file line early before getting into the outside running line. He proved to be too strong for the opposition, coming down the centre of the track to win by a length and three quarters from a brave Harrison (Auckland Reactor).

“He felt good. He’s a pretty relaxed wee horse and at the quarter (400) I was travelling pretty good. When I pulled the plugs he hit the line really well,” Hope said.

Owned by Archie Affleck and trained by Ben’s parents Greg and Nina Hope, Mossdale Ben was having his twenty third start today. He’s starting to fashion a good record with seven wins and ten minor placings.

He’s raced against some good company, finishing third in the Southern Supremacy Stakes won by Sand Wave, (Somebeachsomewhere) and second to Aardie’s Express (Always B Miki) in the Harness 7000 at Addington.

His previous start was in early June at Addington when he ran second to Sweet Belle (Sweet Lou). And he had just one trial – at Rangiora four days ago, to ready him for the Cup.

“He’s a horse the stable’s got a bit of time for and he’s a very consistent horse. (He) goes well fresh and is always amongst it.”

MOSSDALE BEN REPLAY

The stable will nominate the four year old gelding for the Group One New Zealand Cup in November.

“We’ll throw a nomination in for the race but we know it’s going to be a very hard task. There’s probably a few horses that might have the edge on him. We’re probably planning to go in a couple of the leadup races and he’ll tell us whether he’s going to run in the Cup or not.”

Hope has just returned from a ten week stint working for Brent Lilley in Victoria and is home in time to link up with star trotter Muscle Mountain (Muscle Hill).

“He’s due to trial in a couple of weeks and I certainly wouldn’t want to miss out on that drive. Mum and Dad have been very happy with him and I’ve driven him in his last two fast works. He’s felt super and hopefully right on track to have a good end of the year.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink