Rowe Cup hero may get his chance at the dream double

The Rowe Cup hero may get his chance at the dream double in the Dominion after all. Bolt For Brilliance (Muscle Hill) has pleased harness racing trainer-driver Tony Herlihy so much in the early stages of this preparation the champion horseman says a trip to Addington for the Group 1 trot on Show Day is now back on the cards.

Herlihy never totally ruled out the Dominion, a race Bolt For Brilliance finished third in last season, but had suggested the Inter Dominion which start in Victoria 15 days later was more likely.

But now he says both are on the table.

“Nothing is set in stone yet but I and the owners are thinking we can do both,” said Herlihy.

“He has come up that well and he can be ready to race in a month, in fact he could be readier earlier but I am not going to rush him.

“So he could go to Addington and then depending on flights and how he handled the week down there he could go to Victoria.”

Bolt For Brilliance became the first horse to claim Sundees Son’s (Majestic Son) scalp over 3200m when he beat him fair and square in the Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park on May 27.

While Sundees Son clearly wasn’t at his best that night as he couldn’t even catch Temporale (Monarchy) in second, Bolt For Brilliance’s win was remarkable, putting six and half lengths on his rivals and trotting 4:1.2 for the 3200m.

BOLT FOR BRILLIANCE REPLAY

It was a career-best performance from the two-time Jewels winner and suggested while Sundees Son is still the king his crown is anything but unmovable.

If Bolt For Brilliance makes it to Addington as Herlihy now suggests it should see him clash with Sundees Son as he chases his third straight Dominion and Muscle Mountain in what could be a huge highlight of Cup week.

While Sundees Son is the $2 favourite for the Dominion the TAB bookies have kept Bolt For Brilliance tight at $2.60 with Muscle Mountain at $6.

With the connections of both Sundees Son and Muscle Mountain suggesting they will not target the Inter Dominion, Bolt For Brilliance is the $2.80 favourite with most Australian bookmakers for that final at Melton on December 10.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand