‘The Mountain’ doubles up in Trotters Flying Mile

The road to the Dominion took another step in its journey on ‘Magic Monday’ at Ashburton Raceway this afternoon (Oct. 24) with the 33rd edition of the Ashburton Trotters Flying Mile.

Ben Hope and Muscle Mountain (Muscle Hill) were looking to become the seventh back-to-back winners of the $30,000 Group Three feature and came to today’s assignment full of confidence on the back of a NZ Record-breaking performance in the G3 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup some 10 days earlier.

With absolutely no disrespect to the opposition, the five-year-old version of Muscle Mountain is bigger, badder, and stronger. On paper, he looked unbeatable, and punters felt the same way backing him into the microscopic odds of $1.35 of the fixed market.

Given the Greg and Nina Hope-trained son of Muscle Hill was reverting back to his preferred combo of the sprint trip from behind the mobile, for many the only question was not whether he would win, but whether he could shave any time off of another NZ Record he had set in the same race 12 months earlier.

Majestic Man (Majestic Son) who had played a crucial hand in setting up the NZ Record last year is renowned for his gate speed and is no mug having won three Group Ones in Australia.

The Phil Williamson trained runner blazed off the gate, but his pilot Brad Williamson was happy to take a sit behind the red-hot favourite and from there, Hope steadied the pace and with it, looked to be pinching some soft sectionals down the back.

Mark Purdon sensed this was the case and was off and round them from the back of the field with Oscar Bonavena trying to make it a more truly run affair. It was too his own detriment as Hope and his charge burned round the final bend and shot clear on the field, while Purdon and ‘Oscar’ dropped the bit and out of contention.

Majestic Man tried hard, and Five Wise Men (Muscle Hill) put in one of his best Open Class performances since graduating the age group ranks but young Ben Hope barely moved a muscle up the long Ashburton straight and won the feature trot with what appeared to be plenty in hand.

“I was really rapt by the win, and it was great to go back-to-back in a race like the Flying Mile at Ashburton,” he said.

“It’s a special race that has been won by a lot of top horses and there is a lot of history behind it so to go back-to-back was awesome.

“Whether we were parked or leading it didn’t worry me too much, he showed last year he was capable of sitting parked and winning.

“I thought we might be able to get the top and we did, we went pretty slow down the back which probably encouraged Oscar Bonavena and Mark (Purdon) to come around but after the run we had last week, I didn’t want to go at any great speed.

“I just wanted to keep him relaxed in front and he certainly went super. He did that well within himself and he’s pulled up great so I couldn’t be happier with him and his effort today,” he said.

MUSCLE MOUNTAIN REPLAY

The winning time for the 1700m journey was 2:03.1, 3.5 seconds slower than last year’s performance. But given they don’t pay you any more for breaking records, the drive showed plenty of maturity from the young reinsman who clearly realises there are bigger fish left to fry beyond the sprint feature.

“I’d say we will head to the cup trials now and onto the Dominion. The Cup Trials won’t be so much about fitness, more just stepping away safely and hitting the line strong,” he said.

Given the superstar trotter had last year put in one of the only subpar performances of his young career, I put it Hope whether he felt the extreme distance of 3200m will be a concern.

Throughout the campaign, Hope has been quick to defuse and expectations with sensible answers and showing plenty of respect to the opposition.

His answer to this question however left me feeling like he has some unfinished business and bit of a point to prove come Show Day.

“There’s definitely going to be a question mark given he had one start last year and wasn’t at his best, but in saying that, he’s a year older and he’s certainly got the ability so if he handles it, game on!”

Despite not finishing into a place bearing dividend, a notable performance in today’s feature trot was that of the Paul Nairn trained Matua Tana (Love You).

Hope and Muscle Mountain have reeled off a 55.6 last 800m and Matua Tana’s performance to get within five lengths having stood him the best part of 12 lengths on the turn was sensational in running fourth.

With Mataderos (Dream Vacation), Sundees Son (Majestic Son) and Bolt For Brilliance (Muscle Hill) all booked for next Monday’s South Bay Trotting Cup at Kaikoura, the road to the Dominion promises to be one of the highlights of an already stacked Cup and Show week in just over a fortnights time.

For complete Ashburton Raceway results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink