By Jonny Turner
The road to the Rowe Cup starts at Addington tonight for defending champion Love N The Port and his best mate Majestic Man.
The pair are the best of friends off the track but fierce rivals on it and they set to begin a one-way path to Alexandra Park.
Majestic Man (20m) and Love N The Port (10m) make up a powerful trio trainer Phil Williamson brings to race 6 on Friday night, alongside Jimmy Carter (10m).
When lining up from a 10m handicap, Love N The Port starts for the first time since January when he went down narrowly to Jimmy Carter in Group 3 company. He’s a $1.90 favourite in the six horse field.
The trotter hasn’t trialled ahead of his return but Williamson thinks the horse is ready to run a nice race.
“I am happy with him and I would be surprised if he didn’t run a pretty nice race.”
“He is on his way back up to Auckland, it won’t be easy this year with all the Aussie horses, but we will head up there and give it a go.”
Though Jimmy Carter beat Love N The Port home in their last meeting at Ascot Park, Williamson notes there is a big difference in their return match-up.
“Jimmy was off the front at Invercargill which was a big help.”
“It will be a lot hard for him, starting off level marks with Love N The Port.”
“He is well and hopefully he can go a good race, but he has to bring his manners which is always the big thing with him.”
Majestic Man is also on a path towards the Rowe Cup, starting at Addington on Friday night.
The Group 1 event is set to be the stage for the final chapter in the trotter’s incredible career.
“It is his last campaign, we have made the decision that win, lose or draw, the Rowe Cup will be his last start.”
“I have been really happy with him and I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes a very good race this week.”
“He hasn’t had much luck lately, he has been chasing from handicaps and running some of the best sectionals in the race.”
“I am expecting him to be getting home pretty good and he might be able to get past the lot of them.”
The Williamson barn also lines up both Aroha Kenny and Our Pinocchio in race 8 on Friday night.
Aroha Kenny comes into the event on the back of a run of six placings as she chases down a deserved win.
“She has been racing great and I will just be happy if she goes another nice race, which I am expecting her to do,” Williamson said.
Our Pinocchio comes into race 8 following a creditable last start third.