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There were some big smiles on the faces of harness racing trainers Ben and Greg Hope on Sunday when Luca won his first race, but it wasn’t just because of the manner in which he won.
The four-year-old trotter is also the first of Carlton’s progeny to win in New Zealand, a stallion that Greg trained and raced before injury halted his promising racing career.
He has sired Carla Pixie, who had three placings from three starts in New Zealand, and has won five races in Australia to date and placed at Listed level.
Luca was patiently driven by Ben, starting as favourite he showed good early manners to step quickly before landing in the trail in the early stages. However with 1000m to run he soon found himself three back on the fence, then last on the turn desperately needing racing room to feature.
Inside running eventually presented, but it wasn’t until the final 50m that Luca found his feet and flew with an undeniable sprint to bolt past the leader Rependant with great ease.
I’m super happy to get the win with Luca today,” Ben told Wai Eyre Farm.
“He showed a great turn of foot, I didn’t think we’d be able to pick them up but once he was balanced up he really flew at them especially in that last 50 metres.”
Having his sixth career start, Luca had also placed as a three-year-old late in 2025. He had always shown ability for the stable.
“He’s always had a bit of talent this horse, he qualified and trialled as a two-year-old behind some pretty nice horses.”
“He could’ve raced as a two-year-old, but we just gave him the time and now I think we will reap the rewards really. The Carlton’s are typically early types, we’ve just been a little bit patient with ours.”
It was Luca’s quick turn of foot that had people talking, including commentator Matt Cross as Luca crossed the line.
LUCA REPLAY
And it’s that turn of foot that Ben sees showing up within Carlton’s progeny.
“The Carltons are really good to work with, we do see a lot of Carlton in them. They all seem to have speed which is great and I think speed is a really great trait to leave trotters with, speed can get you out of trouble in a race,” Ben explained.
2026 looks to be an important year for his stock as the oldest turn four-years-old.
“I’m really looking forward to this year with Carlton’s progeny. We’ve got a few nice types in our team that will be racing,” Ben said.
“Just For Today is a three-year-old filly who qualified really impressively at two, she actually qualified nine seconds under time.”
“And we have Brooks Spirit – a horse Dad has always loved, I think they are both going to be quite nice horses and hopefully they can fly the flag for Carlton now.”
“They both could have raced at two but we decided they would benefit from waiting until they were three. We’ll aim to race them around winter time and with any luck they’ll be able to target some nice spring and summer races.”
The Hope family have been grateful for the support that Carlton has had in his stud career so far, and are anticipating a good season for him ahead.
“He’s had some good support at start and now we need him to really make his mark. And now they are getting to the racing stage we should start to see them showing up well.”
“He’s had quite a few qualify as two-year-olds and a few go to the workouts which is great to see,” Ben said.
Luca’s win is no doubt the first of many in New Zealand for Carlton, who presents a story of faith from the Hope team in his stallion career.
“It was great for Dad, as he’s had huge faith in Carlton. After he was injured the other owners were finished with him, but he saw so much potential in him he decided to give him a chance at stud.”
Carlton had just three career starts and won as a two-year-old impressively before a suspected paddock injury ended his career.
The son of Dream Vacation showed so much talent that Greg Hope took the horse on as a stallion prospect, where he now stands at Wai Eyre Farm.
He is out of Love You mare, Another Love, who won five races in her career and herself is the daughter of Another Starlet, former Trotting Broodmare of the Year.
Carlton is a half-brother to three Group race winners and hails from the family of Enghien, Millburn Michael and Brylin Cresent.
From Wai Eyre Farm
