The Australian Pacing Gold Trotting Masters comes to a close this Friday night with the running of the Gr.1 $150,000 Canam Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park, Auckland.
The six leg series has been fast and ferocious.
As expected, established squaregaiters have performed with dignity while many new potential stars have been unearthed in what shapes as an exciting new era of trotting downunder.
Classy Cantabrian Stent will be crowned the Trotting Master for the current season although he will not compete in Friday night’s feature.
The Colin and Julie DeFilippi trained Dream Vacation gelding has raced consistently throughout the season and boasts a victory in the $100,000 Australian Trotting Grand Prix at TABCORP Park, Melton while being placed in the Dominion Handicap, Glenferrie Farm Challenge and the Great Southern Star.
Despite the absence of Stent, many emerging trotters will ensure the Rowe Cup is keenly contested as they attempt to solidify their position among the best in the new generation of talent.
The Rowe Cup is the major North Island trotting feature and boasts a spectacular honour roll, it’s a race that champions stand tall and rise to the biggest challenge in the two mile stand start feature.
Remarkable trotter Stig was successful last year who followed on from freakish talent I Can Doosit who recorded back to back victories while Australian trained champion Sundons Gift scored back in 2010.
A new name will be engraved on the silverware this year but the question remains – who will it be?
Superbowlcheerleader scored a narrow victory two starts ago in the Gr.1 ANZAC Cup while Sheemon took the spoils in last week’s Gr.3 Greenlane Cup at Alexandra Park.
Both trotters rank highly among the new collection of stars.
Also among the next generation are hard-running types Royal Aspirations and Flying Isa while Lotalov, Bonechip, Boizel, Sol Invictus and Cool Cobber all boast strong form lines.
The sole Australian representative is the Brent Lilley trained Zedalite who has performed with great distinction in his two Auckland efforts to date.
Under-rated Victorian based reinsman Rod Petroff will reunite with the talented five-year-old.
Master Lavros, a winner of the Gr.1 Dominion Handicap earlier this season will have his loyal band of followers again this week while veteran trotter Dr Hook looms as a legitimate threat for the feared combination of Paul Nairn and Davey Butt.
Another classy veteran trotter from Christchurch is the Robbie Holmes trained and driven Clover Don while the well-travelled King Of Strathfield takes his place in another feature event this season.
So, while the Trotting Master title belongs to Stent this season, it’s vital for these competitors on Friday night to end their season on a high and firmly establish their position in the pecking order moving forward to the new season.
