Hunter cup 2014

[brent_L]

Great write-up Brendan. I've been over this race with a fine-tooth comb and simply can't remember a more open big race. I reckon there's scenarios that give winning chances to all but 3 horses. The kiwi form is exemplary (FN form very hard to line up however). It sounds stupid as I write/think it (and I'm ready to cop the flack) but as much as I think these two could get within a couple of metres of the winner, I just cannot find a scenario in which SU oc ICT wins. SU, whilst brave always finds one that bit quicker (and tractable round the bends) over the final 600. His best 'chance' no doubt comes with him leading with the one horse on his back but I still see horses running by him rounding the final bend. ICT is simply a length or two behind the best when he's not able to lead.
Looks a great race on paper & I'm expecting to see 8 or so horses go over the line in a blanket finish. One scenario does worry me in regards to the spectacle of the race......1 horse leads SU outside straight away and zero moves for a mile.
Not a race I feel I can make $$ out of but I'll try and pay for a late night pizza by backing KC place $9, ABorP place $10 and L McCarthy win @ $11+ win.
GL to u whoever u take.

[aussiebreno]

Trotters Gp1.
Blitzemcalder did work hard middle stages but was run down by I See Icy Earl .From the other heat My High Expectations has had I See Icy Earls measure. Last mile significantly quicker in High Expectations heat. They ran home 27.9 which is about as quick as they can go, had something left in the locker. Blitz only home 28.3 and that was all he had left. So I think High Expectations deserved favourite, would take some luck/better drive to get Blitzemcalder home. But where I'm going to go is Mister Zion. Need luck and good drive. If he can get to lead first he in with a real shot. Don't think that scenario will happen so what I am left with is if Blitz and High Expectations both go at each other and leave race for something else Zion is the one I'd want to be on chasing. They will both be taking off early and putting some speed into the race imo so that will help me out.

Trifecta: Expectations / Zion / Blitz, I See Icy Earl, Cold Sister.

[Maorisidol]

Trotters Gp1.
Blitzemcalder did work hard middle stages but was run down by I See Icy Earl .From the other heat My High Expectations has had I See Icy Earls measure. Last mile significantly quicker in High Expectations heat. They ran home 27.9 which is about as quick as they can go, had something left in the locker. Blitz only home 28.3 and that was all he had left. So I think High Expectations deserved favourite, would take some luck/better drive to get Blitzemcalder home. But where I'm going to go is Mister Zion. Need luck and good drive. If he can get to lead first he in with a real shot. Don't think that scenario will happen so what I am left with is if Blitz and High Expectations both go at each other and leave race for something else Zion is the one I'd want to be on chasing. They will both be taking off early and putting some speed into the race imo so that will help me out.

Trifecta: Expectations / Zion / Blitz, I See Icy Earl, Cold Sister.

Blitz last week did a whole lot of extra work when coming from last after settling down to circle the field and take the lead as they turned into the back straight, but, Lance who was leading on Motu Young Jacob kept him out the full length of the back straight making Blitz work quite hard for another 300m i reckon and that was the difference for him on the line when Icy pipped him by a lip. Get Blitz to the lead in half a lap of the big Ballarat track and he wins easy, but last to first in 3 quarters of the track working quite hard took too much, hence his last 400 slower than other heat.
My High Expectations got an easy lead and no one tackled him at all (who would?) so an easy sprint last 400 very quick.
So this race very interesting in the first half lap.
You have a Dean Braun trained fast stand beginner who led last week drawn 2, who would love to hold lead and maybe handover to stablemate Blitz...
You have a David Aiken trained Cold Sister who leads in mobile races and hands up to stablemate My High Expectations drawn front row too...
So if Cold Sister begins well the battle to lead will be on for all, throw in Lightning Joy, good stand beginner from the pole and it gets better.
So then MHE is drawn 2 inside second row to follow out Duke of the Moment from the opposition stable, while Blitz is drawn wide in open space but starts very slow and will have to circle whole field.
Intriguing race. I will be barracking for the new boy Blitz to rise up, but he may be a season off earning top Trotter honours yet, because MHE is absolutely killing all opposition. He has very high speed, great stamina, reliable as you want and i think a seasoned edge over the young bloke at the moment.
Empire Earl fantastic last couple of runs, got a great place divvy last weekend, will be back on for a reasonable place bet again.

[Toohard]

Blitz last week did a whole lot of extra work when coming from last after settling down to circle the field and take the lead as they turned into the back straight, but, Lance who was leading on Motu Young Jacob kept him out the full length of the back straight making Blitz work quite hard for another 300m i reckon and that was the difference for him on the line when Icy pipped him by a lip. Get Blitz to the lead in half a lap of the big Ballarat track and he wins easy, but last to first in 3 quarters of the track working quite hard took too much, hence his last 400 slower than other heat.

Story doing the rounds that Blitzemcalder moving stables after tonights run.

[Maorisidol]

Story doing the rounds that Blitzemcalder moving stables after tonights run.

WOW
Thats massive.
Any clues?

[Maorisidol]

Story doing the rounds that Blitzemcalder moving stables after tonights run.

100%
Leaving stables tonite
"Not sure where to yet"
According to Rick Burchell owner at Melton now.

[Viv Strangman]

What a difference a week makes. Restrepo has the run of the race on Christen Me's back and battles into fifth yet after sitting three wide for a lap last week he blouses the winner and runner up. This weeks run was on a par with all his other runs this campaign when facing the elite horses. Makes last weeks run that much harder to take.

[Toohard]

100%
Leaving stables tonite
"Not sure where to yet"
According to Rick Burchell owner at Melton now.

Just saw this... Adam Hamilton: Trots: "Craig Demmler new trainer for Blitzthemcalder. Chris Alford first right refusal on drive."

[Messenger]

Gee it is a fantastic program of races and the weather should be good especially after sundown so it should be a super night to attend

[broncobrad]

Brendan's appraisal of the Hunter has me warming very much to Carribean Blaster...that storming finish he produced at Melton all those starts ago from last on the bend to blouse them is etched firmly in my memory.