Today’s Cheviot Businesses Cheviot Cup at Addington has changed complexion, and quickly.
Back markers Franco Indie and Mossdale Ben have been scratched from the event and that’s seen a wide open market, with eight of the ten runners now in single figures.
Franco Indie opened an early favourite for the 2600m feature and with him now out, Waimate Cup winner Mo’unga has come into a $4.50 favourite. There’s also a lot of support too for the likes of Heisenberg, Dashing Major and southerner Tact McLeod.
The well bred Mo’unga has won five from 13, with his sole Addington victory being against Bach, The Falcon and Alta Meteor in September 2023.
The Cup is set to go at 4.32pm.
Today’s meeting also features the Group 3 Cobbitty Equine Farm Leonard Memorial Pace for the 2YO Fillies (3.40pm).
The former will see the Dalgety-trained Forever Me go out a $1.60 favourite to turn the tables on General Jen. On March 27 the Hayden Cullen-trained General Jen was left parked but proved too strong in front of Forever Me who flashed home to get within a head.
Backing up after a tough run just two days ago, Trevor Grant doesn’t exactly know what to expect from his trotter George Eliot in the Rural Livestock Trot (2.15pm).
The Royal Aspirations four-year-old has been installed a $3.50 favourite after finishing sixth in the Betavet Racing Rewards Showcase won by Who’s Queen on Friday night.
“There are two ways to look at it,” says Grant, who bred, trains and drives the mare, “she could be tired after it or the run could have suited her and she’ll be the better for it.
“It’s just so hard to tell.”
The other complicating factor is that the combo have drawn one for the 2000 metre stand. She’s had ten standing starts before for four placings. Her overall tally is one win and eight placings from 26 starts.
Grant acknowledges the draw is tricky but is hopeful she’ll go away ok.
With a safe start and some luck in the running she’s suggested in recent runs she could be more than competitive.
“At Motukarara (April 1) she was flying home (for fourth) once we found a hole and then on Friday she went on a long searching run.”
In the $30,000 Showcase on Friday she was back in the field before being launched three wide and then sitting parked. In the home straight she battled on well to finish about five lengths from the winner.
George Eliot’s sole win came in the very first race of 2024 at Rangiora on January 1.
“I was leading the drivers and trainers’ premierships there for a while,” he quips.
