Two Otago-trained horses are among the 37 nominations for the New Zealand Trotting Cup released yesterday by the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club.
The Graeme Anderson-trained pair of Ballindooley and Belkmyster feature in the nominations along with five Australian-trained runners: Abettorpunt, For A Reason, Maximan, Seel N Print and Themightyquinn.
The presence of New Zealand talents such as Smolda, three-time champion Terror to Love, Hands Christian, Adore Me, Christen Me and Franco Ledger combined with even two or three of the Australian runners would provide Addington administrators - and harness racing fans - with one of the more fascinating New Zealand Cups in recent years.
However, attrition will undoubtedly take care of some of the 37 between now and November 11, giving those owners with a horse on the fringe of the cup field a few sleepless nights as the race nears.
The first rankings for the New Zealand Cup, which will determine which 15 horses will take their place in the $700,000 group 1, will be released on Tuesday.
The nominations for the 3200m group 1 Dominion Trot are dominated by New Zealand trotters.
Blitzthemcalder is the only Australian-trained horse among the 38 nominations.
Otago-trained horses in the Dominion nominations are the Jonny Cox and Amber Hoffman-trained Jaccka Justy, Anderson's King Kenny and the Phil Williamson pair of Monnay and Springbank Sam.
Jag's Invasion, formerly trained by Williamson, is now with son Nathan Williamson at Ryal Bush.
Armbro Demon, last trained by co-owner Chris McLeod in Oamaru, is now in the care of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen at Rolleston.
Nominations.- New Zealand Trotting Cup: Abettorpunt, Adore Me, Arden Rooney, Averil's Quest, Ballindooley, Belkmyster, Besotted, Bit Of A Legend, Christen Me, Classiesistar, Easy On The Eye, Fly Like An Eagle, For A Reason, Four Starzzz Flash, Franco Harrington, Franco Ledger, Franco Nelson, Hands Christian, Jason Rulz, Jimmy Johnstone, Jivin Cullen, Lets Elope, Lewy Risk, Locharburn, Maiden Rome, Maximan, Pass Them By, Pemberton Shard, Pembrook Benny, Pure Power, Seel N Print, Smolda, Terror To Love, The Wrath Of Robyn, Themightyquinn, Tiger Tara, Vice Chairman.
Dominion Trot nominations: Alley Way, Armbro Demon, Blitzthemcalder, Boizel, Burano, Charlemagne, Clover Don, Cool Cobber, Donaldson, Dr Hook, Habibti, Imperial Count, Irish Whisper, Jaccka Justy, Jag's Invasion, Kincaslough, King Kenny, King Of Strathfield, Leanne's Boy, Lotalov, Master Lavros, Monnay, Peak, Phil's Gift, Prime Power, Rare Opportunity, Royal Aspirations, Saratoga, Sheemon, Sol Invictus, Springbank Sam, Stent, Stylish Monarch, Superbowlcheerleader, The Fiery Ginga, Uncas, Vulcan, Waterloo Sunset.
