Winton gains Central Otago Trotting Cup

The Central Otago Trotting Cup will be run, just not in Central Otago.

For the second year in a row the Central Otago Trotting Cup did not get run on January 2.

Last year, the cup was abandoned after driver Ricky May had a medical event early in the race. He collapsed to the ground and had to be revived.

Then on January 2 this year, the Central Otago Trotting Club was forced to can its meeting as rain ruined the day. The heavy downpour which covered Central Otago left the club with no option but to call the meeting off.

There was little hope of finding an alternative date but the group three cup will now take place at the Winton Harness Racing Club meeting on January 20.

Stakes for the cup have been set at $25,000.

The decision comes after lengthy discussions between the Central Otago Trotting Club, the Winton Harness Racing Club and Southern Harness.

The same thing happened last year when the race was run at Wyndham on January 16.

Heisenberg won the cup for trainer Robert Dunn last year, and already there have been indications that two of the stable’s stars Henry Hubert and Classie Brigade will make the trek south from Canterbury for the cup in little under a fortnight.

Trainers of other runners in the original field have also indicated they will run their horses.

May was set to return to Omakau on January 2 with Stylish Memphis.

When contacted yesterday he was unsure whether he would head to Winton and Stylish Memphis was unlikely to line up in the race.

May said it was very disappointing for the club to cancel the meeting and he was in Cromwell when the call was made, having journeyed south for a few days.

He spent five days in Central Otago after the cancelled meeting and took in the other two meetings in Central Otago at Roxburgh and Cromwell.

The Methven driver was planning to head to Omakau next year for the annual meeting there, hoping it is third time lucky in the cup.


 

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