Mystic Max has gone back-to-back in the day’s feature trot at Kaikoura.
The Michael Purdon owned and trained five-year old led soon after the start of the Group 3 $60,000 White Morph South Bay Trotters Cup Handicap Trot and never seriously looked in danger of being run down.
“He’s jogged it,” said commentator Matt Cross as Mystic Max won the Cup for the second year in a row.
It was his ninth win in 41 starts.
Remarkably Mystic Max’s last win was the in the same race last year.
He went into the race as a clear cut favourite after finishing second to rising star Bet N Win in his most recent start, the Canterbury Park Cup at Addington on October 11.
Even before this afternoon’s win he was guaranteed a spot in the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington next Tuesday.
Second favourite Mighty Logan was second, with the Bob Butt trained and driven Gold Bullion third.
Orange in fine form
Blair Orange then made it a race to race double by taking out the $50,000 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales Aged Classic Handicap (Listed) with the Hayden Cullen-trained Wish Me Luck.
The combo bobbled at the start and there was trouble behind them when hot favourie Sooner The Bettor and Rakero Rocket locked wheels.
Wish Me Luck was then sent forward and got the lead and then held on in a desperate battle with Lester, who had the trail throughout.
Lester was second and Rakero Rocket put up a huge run to finish third.
Conditions are perfect at South Bay race course with the Alabar Kaikoura Cup going at 5.12pm.
