Four Starzzz Flash is the big mover in the New Zealand Trotting Cup rankings after his Maurice Holmes Vase win at Addington last Friday.
The Kevin Chapman-owned and Cran Dalgety-trained entire sat parked to down Mach Banner and Besotted, earning a guaranteed start in the 3200m group 1 race on November 12.
He joins reigning champion Terror To Love and Interdominion champion Themightyquinn as having booked their starting spots in the race, provided they stay injury free over the next few months.
The Maurice Holmes Vase placegetters also move up the rankings. Mach Banner climbed from 21st on the rankings to 19th, while Besotted's third placing took him from 25th to 22nd.
Bitobliss, ranked 11th, produced a huge run to win at Melton in a 1.52.4 mile rate, but is unlikely to make the trip to New Zealand. Trainer-driver Scott Stewart looks set to aim the son of Blissful Hall at the Kilmore Cup in late October and the Miracle Mile in late November.
Fellow Australian pacer Suave Stuey Lombo (14th) was also in winning form at the weekend, beating a small but well-credentialed field - including group 1 winner Chariot King - at Menangle on Saturday night over 2300m. He and Bitobliss both dropped one spot from last week's rankings due to Four Starzzz Flash's ranking jumping from 22 to three.
The Otago pacer Better To Be Bad remains in 33rd after she broke at the start of the Maurice Holmes Vase and finished 10th.
New Zealand Trotting Cup rankings.- Terror To Love, 1; Themightyquinn, 2; Four Starzzz Flash, 3; Mah Sish, 4; Caribbean Blaster, 5; Franco Ledger, 6; Highview Tommy, 7; Christen Me, 8; Easy On The Eye, 9; Fly Like An Eagle, 10; Bitobliss, 11; Pembrook Benny, 12; Jason Rulz, 13; Suave Stuey Lombo, 14; Jarcullembra, 15; Choise Achiever, 16; Gomeo Romeo, 17; Ellmer Hanover, 18; Mach Banner, 19; Elusive Chick, 20; Field Officer, 21; Besotted, 22; Sleepy Tripp, 23; Motu Crusader, 24; River Black, 25; Pass Them By, 26; Pemberton Shard, 27; Cheer The Lady, 28; Smiling Star, 29; Jimmy Johnstone, 30; Captain Peacock, 31; Light In Every Day, 32; Better To Be Bad, 33; Kiwi Ideal, 34; Phantom Grin, 35; Cam Before The Storm, 36. Withdrawn: Chancellor Cullen
