Methven master Ricky May was back to his driving peak at Addington yesterday.
But it is more what he did not do in winning the group 1 New Zealand Trotting Free-for-all which could play a part in Monbet claiming the Dominion Trot at the same venue on Friday.
Left with a freewheeling Marcoola to chase down, May moved Monbet to the parked spot with 1000m to go. He eventually wore down the brave 4yr-old, courtesy of a quick breather behind Marcoola in the home straight, before bettering him by half a head at the line.
''I was trying to look after him as much I could ahead of Friday,'' May said.
''[The breather] did help because it's quite windy up that home straight.''
The free-for-all was not in the plans of Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope initially, but they added the race to the campaign after opting to bypass Kaikoura last week.
Now, the Hopes will wait to see if their next question is answered on Friday afternoon.
''He's an amazing-winded horse and he's come through the run remarkably well,'' Greg Hope said.
''Hopefully, we can back up good for Friday. It's just that we haven't been there before, so it's uncharted territory.
''Ricky said he won it a lot easier than it looked and said he felt he was going easy, so that's great.''
Marcoola lost no admirers with his second, while Kyvalley Blur made up plenty for third in an ideal Dominion trial for ex-pat Kiwi trainer Brent Lilley and driver Anthony Butt.
''We got a reasonable run from the draw, but the one I was following didn't cart him into it enough turning for home, but he ran home really good,'' he said.
''He's improved since Kaikoura, so if he gets away and gets a good run, he won't be far away.''
