Auckland Cup and National Trot news & odds

Despite the Auckland Trotting Club having received no withdrawals for the Auckland Cup on December 31, injury clouds do hang over several runners 25 days out from the $250,000 Group One feature.

The Auckland Trotting Club's Assistant Racing Manager Regan Cotter said the Club hadn't received any official withdrawals from both the Cup or the National Trot as at December 6.

“We do know that Brydon Ideal suffered an injury and Have Faith In Me is going for further testing prior to racing, but at this stage they are both still nominated," Cotter said.

He also believed it would be a bit soon for Franco Nelson to make the trip back to New Zealand after an arduous Inter Dominion Series in Perth.

Cotter also said Strike The Gold was shipped to Australia this week.

Meanwhile South Island standardbreds are favourites for the Auckland Cup and the National Trot at Alexandra Park on New Year's eve – with a question mark ($4.80) hanging over Have Faith In Me.

In fact Australian trotter Kyvalley Blur aside, the two Group One features look like a South Island benefit, even without Canterbury pacing giants Lazarus and trotter star Monbet not lining up in either race.

The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen trained Dream About Me is the $2.90 Auckland Cup favourite, while the Ken Ford trained Marcoola is the $3.00 favourite to win the $80,000 National Trot after demolishing his opposition at Methven on Sunday.

New Zealand’s Wellington-based harness racing bookmaker Steve Richardson believed Dream About Me was at a lucrative price.

"Dream About Me is a good price early and if I was looking to have a decent bet on her I would be doing so now rather than later.

"I can't see the betting public prepared to have any large bets on her rivals to beat her, and her odds can only tighten,” Richardson said.

Auckland Cup Futures odds – Option 981:

Dream About Me $2.90, Have Faith In Me ? $4.80, Chase The Dream $7, Christen Me $7, Titan Banner $7, Tiger Tara $9, Franco Nelson $11, Hughie Green $11, Locharburn $11, Classie Brigade $13, Hug The Wind $25, No Doctor Needed $25, Shandale $25, Mossdale Conner $35, Robbie Burns $35, Rocker Band $35, Arden's Choice $51, The Faithful $51, Little Rascal $66, Ideal Belle $71, Better B Amazed $101, Bettor Spirits $101, Brydon Ideal $101, Lewy Risk $121, Strike The Gold $201, Fleeting Grin $251.

National Trot Futures odds – Option 982:

Marcoola $3.00, Master Lavros $8.20, Kyvalley Blur $8.20, Bordeaux $10.00, Harriet Of Mot $11.00, Amaretto Sun $14.00, Quite A Moment $14.00, Sunny Ruby $15.00, Le Reveur $17.00, Daryl Boko, $24.00, Prince Fearless $24.00, Golden Gate $29.00, Eyre I Come $29.00, Quevert $29.00, Prime Power $29.00, Realmein $29.00, Harrysul, $29.00 Arya $29.00, Scarrymcleary $37.00, Idle Bones $39.00, Valmagne $46.00, Belles Son $56.00, Blackguard's Corner $56.00, Djokovic $56.00, The Almighty Johnson $56.00, Yagunnakissmeornot $56.00.

Duane Ranger