Hope stable juggles Oamaru runners ahead of Dominion

Ben Hope has a mountain to climb on Tuesday, but there is business to handle first at Oamaru on Thursday.

After going desperately close in the past, Hope will again combine with Muscle Mountain in the Group 1 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington.

Hope and father Greg will balance putting the finishing touches on their three-pronged attack on the renowned trotting event with having starters at Oamaru, as well as Addington on Friday.

The Hope stable’s squad of four heading south of the Waitaki includes Franco Elvis, who will be clocking up plenty of miles on the road this week.

The pacer made a right hash of the standing start in his outing at Kaikoura on Monday.

Franco Elvis switches back to the mobile at Oamaru, which looks a big boost to his winning claims.

“He has got the ability there to win these races, but it is just about getting it out of him,” Hope said. 

“He didn’t take anything out of himself at Kaikoura so we thought we would back him up.”

“On ability he would be a pretty good winning chance, it’s just a matter of him getting a bit of luck and showing up with his best.”

Rena is arguably the biggest winning threat among the Hopes’ Oamaru team.

The three-year-old has run two ninths this time in; she was unlucky in the first before taking on strong company in her next start.

“They went a good time last start and it was a much stronger field,” Hope said.

“We gave her a bit of a freshen-up after that and she seems quite well.”

“She is a handy filly and I would expect her to be hard to beat.”

Val Thorens heads to Oamaru with two seconds and two misses this time in.

In his two recent starts out of the money, the trotter has made costly mistakes when sent out as race favourite.

“He has got the ability but he is not an easy horse.”

“Manners will be key with him, he has gone two nice races when he has trotted.”

“If he trots all the way he will be up to that field, but you never quite know with him.”

Ar Gee Rulz will also wear the Hope colours at Oamaru on Thursday.

“He’s an honest horse and it looks quite a suitable race for him.”

“If he gets a bit of luck he should go a pretty handy race.”

Muscle Mountain has drawn barrier 7 in the Group 1 Dominion on Friday.

The Hope camp goes into the feature event as happy with their stable star as possible.

“We are pretty happy with the draw and the horse is in a really good place.”

“The campaign has gone really smoothly and we have been able to get five runs into him.”

“Being a bit older he can handle the racing better and he needs it too.”

“When he was younger he could rely more on his natural ability.”

“All in all we are really happy with him and we just hope he can get his share of luck on the day.”

Stablemate Mr Love will start alongside Muscle Mountain on the front line in the Dominion in barrier 9, while Midnight Dash will have to contend with barrier 15.

For the complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand