Lilley hoping Zeus can flex his muscle in Rowe Cup

Brent Lilley is hoping the recuperative waters of the Tasman Sea will have Aldebaran Zeus (Muscle Hill) at peak fitness to challenge boom Kiwi harness racing trotter Muscle Mountain in Friday night’s (May 26) Group 1 Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park.

Aldebaran Zeus has chased Muscle Mountain home in two of his past three outings at the track after scoring a first-up win in the Group 1 Waikato Flying Mile at Cambridge.

Lilley’s main mission in the past week has been to reinvigorate the son of Muscle Hill.

“We are staying with Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett, and have been taking the horse down to the beach for the last week just to change his mindset and freshen him up,” Lilley said.

Lilley conceded Aldebaran Zeus’ unplaced effort in last week’s Group 2 Anzac Cup Trot appeared slightly below par.

“He was disappointing on paper, but he ran 27.2 down the back before he struggled on that last corner which always makes it difficult at Alexandra Park,” he said.

Lilley believes the 3200m journey will hold no issues for Aldebaran Zeus, providing driver Chris Alford can find an economical trip in transit.

“Admittedly his best form has been over the shorter trips, but he has drawn the front and is normally a good beginner from the stand, so hopefully Chris can find a spot on the pegs somewhere near the lead,” he said.

While Lilley acknowledges Muscle Mountain ($1.45 fav), who has won his past seven starts, is the horse to beat, he indicated the race’s depth didn’t run deep.

“Muscle Mountain has the form on the board, but there are not many winning hopes in the race. On his day Aldebaran Zeus is as good as anything else and with a sit not far from the leaders he should be thereabouts,” he said.

The Yabby Dam Farms bred and owned All Cashed Up is on the third line of betting following his win off a 30m handicap at Alexandra Park prior to his last-start third placing in the Anzac Cup Trot

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria