Group 1 races are never routine.
And, despite favourite Stent coming away with the chocolates in the group 1 trotting free-for-all at Addington yesterday, the race was not a walk in the park for co-trainer-driver Colin De Filippi or owner Trevor Casey.
Casey, a Christchurch restaurateur, named the son of Dream Vacation after he underwent heart surgery to have a stent inserted.
And his heart might have been beating a bit faster than usual when Sheemon pushed forward on the bend of the free-for-all, leaving De Filippi with some work to do.
Casey is a huge supporter of harness racing in Canterbury through race sponsorship, driver sponsorship and racing more than his fair share of horses.
Casey watched nervously, but can now look forward to the group 1 Dominion on Friday with an in-form horse and a genuine chance over the 3200m.
Stent looked like the horse to beat after drawing the front line on the back of a comfortable win in the Ashburton Flying Mile last month.
''He's in the right form for Friday,'' Casey said.
''I wouldn't say he's the best stayer, but if he gets a good run, he'll be there.''
One horse who is certainly heading to the Dominion is Jaccka Justy.
The Westwood Beach-trained 8yr-old balanced up well at the top of the straight to run home well into fifth.
Co-trainer and driver Jonny Cox said the pace of the race suited him perfectly.
''They went hard up front. He sat back and did nothing, so he just had to sprint for the last 600m,'' Cox said.
''He found the line great which is what we sort of hoped and it's the ideal run before Friday.
''Hopefully, we can get a softer trip on Friday. He's on the unruly so we're going to be back in the pack again. We can just follow them and finish on like we did today.''
Stent's win was not the only classy trotting win on the day, with Eyre I Come providing Mark Jones with his shortest New Zealand Cup day in years - not that he was complaining.
After freeing himself of driving duties for the day, he was able to watch Eyre I Come stroll home in the opening race on the card, the c2 and faster trot over 3200m.
Jones has eased back on his driving duties, which included handing over the reins to Blair Orange behind Eyre I Come.
''It's good to be honest. I'll chuck him on the float now, go home and watch the rest on TV,'' Jones said.
''I drove him at the trials and I was going to drive him [in the race] but he missed away and I thought, `I'll worry about training and Blair drives him'. It's working, so everyone's happy.
''It's great, you've got no pressure. My job's done, and I don't have to worry about whether he goes away or not - it's up to the driver. If he misses away, I can blame the driver.''
