Champion pacer Terror To Love is pulling more than just his diminutive reinsman Ricky May at Addington on Tuesday afternoon.
And even more than the weight of a nation who will be getting behind their star both in a loud and proud manner.
He’s also pulling at the pages of history.
If successful in the nation’s biggest event, Terror To Love will become the Cup’s greatest winner of all time, therefore, leaving historians creating a chapter set aside exclusively for the record breaker.
Currently, he shares the record with 1930’s hero Indianapolis and False Step who dominated during the late 1950’s.
So, can he do it?
Will he claim the honour of being the first horse to win the Cup four times?
All these questions and more will be answered shortly after 5.15pm local time once the famed two mile stand-start marathon is completed.
Many fans are still shaking their heads following the unbelievable performance Terror To Love produced twelve months ago when defeating Fly Like An Eagle and Christen Me.
Fast forward to the current day and price assessors are clearly of the belief that Terror To Love is going as well if not better than this time last year.
His lead-up form for the 2014 Cup is outstanding although unplaced at his most recent start in the Ashburton Flying Stakes two weeks ago but private clockers marveled at his own individual splits from that oddly run affair.
Prior victories in the Canterbury Classic plus the New Brighton Cup were sublime.
Again in the Cup trial last Wednesday at Addington, the Western Terror entire pleased connections with a strong showing in the 2600m public workout.
On Tuesday, Terror To Love will sport saddlecloth number nine, nicely positioned with seasoned performers Pembrook Benny to his inside and Franco Nelson to his outside.
Terror To Love deserves his role as race favourite but victory is not guaranteed with many ready to take aim at the title.
The gifted Christen Me is now a more mature and a more complete racehorse compared to last year when third leaving many good judges believing he is the horse that stands between Terror To Love and his shot at history.
The All Stars stables of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen are set to strike with a trio of talented types including the only mare in the event in Adore Me, an Easter Cup winner over Terror To Love earlier this year while again she conquered the Cups king at Ashburton at their most recent start.
Also donning the famous blue and silver livery is the ultra-talented but unsound Hands Christian and last start Kaikoura Cup winner Arden Rooney.
Tiger Tara is an exceptionally talented 4yo looking to win the Cup, it’s a tall order but very achievable as history proves and his lead-up form is very strong highlighted by his recent victories and a very tidy Cup trial.
The Cup trial was dominated by Franco Nelson who continues to stamp himself as a genuine Grand Circuit star and looms as a legitimate threat in the great race.
Southland star Franco Ledger warrants respect following his strong lead-up form highlighted by his victory on the grass in the Methven Cup and his game effort in last week’s Kaikoura Cup behind Arden Rooney.
Veteran North Island based warrior Pembrook Benny is hoping for more luck this time around compared to last year and can’t be ruled out judging by his sectionals he recorded in the Flying Stakes and the Cup trial.
Australian based brothers Luke and Todd McCarthy are making the trip across the ditch with their star performers For A Reason and Seel N Print and both have landed prime draws but both lack strong standing start form.
In-fact, For A Reason is facing the starter for the first time under this format but comes into this race as a last start winner of the Gr.1 Queensland Pacing Championship at Albion Park on October 25, the opening leg of the new Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit season.
Longshot punters will embrace Four Starzzz Flash, Jimmy Johnstone, Lewy Risk, Pemberton Shard and Pass Them By as they hope to crash the biggest party of all in New Zealand.
Cup week in Christchurch is like no other and this year could easily morph into another zone altogether if Terror To Love drops the hammer and creates a new level of excellence.
The Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup is scheduled as Race 10 on the strong 12 race program…..don’t miss the action because you could miss history in the making.
