Rowe Cup winner still on holiday

Currently this years Rowe Cup winner Love N The Port (Love You) is on a break with stablemate Majestic Man (Majestic Son). But both trotters will be back in work soon in preparation for the second part of the harness racing season.

“He’s in holiday mode. In total he’ll have a month off. We might give him another week or so depending on the weather. I like to give them about six weeks after a campaign like that but when they’re older they don’t need as much time off. He and Majestic Man got home and were tearing round the paddock like two year olds so they certainly thrived on the trip. His major focus will be the Dominion,” trainer Phil Williamson said.

Williamson acknowledges that Love N The Port had luck on his side when winning the Group One feature but it’s sometimes required to win those big races.

“We got the rub of the green in the Rowe Cup but it was our time to have that wee bit of luck.”

From a trotting perspective Love N The Port is relatively new to the open class ranks.

“He’s the new boy on the block and a pretty good all round trotter. He’s got a good game without being a super star.”

Prior to the Rowe Cup Majestic Man wasn’t at the top of his game. But Williamson was pleased with the way he competed in the two mile feature.

“He went an encouraging enough run for us to make a decision to have another campaign with him. We’ll aim at the Ashburton Trotters Mile with him, then Cup Week.”

Both are spelling at Williamson’s Oamaru property.

“It works out well that way. I can keep a close eye on them and feed them how I Iike.”

Williamson says it’s unlikely that either trotter will head to Australia this season.

“To go over there you have to be right on your game. Majestic Man has won two Dullard Cups but he would have to be at his very best if were to take that on again. It’s a costly exercise if you’re not going as good as you can.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink