Hannon Memorial the next big test on Road To NZ Cup

New Zealand Trotting Cup underdogs, your time is now.

Or more specifically, 4.08pm at Oamaru on Sunday is your time.

This year’s Group 3 Sally-Ann Donnelly Hannon Memorial is set to provide an important opportunity for New Zealand’s contenders for our country’s greatest race.

The market for the New Zealand Cup features just three New Zealand horses amongst its top 10.

With an Australian wave coming, in the words of Bonnie Tyler, we need a hero.

Or several of them.

Just one of those top-10 favourites will start in the Hannon in It’s Tough (Bettor’s Delight).

The five-year-old returns to racing on the back of a slick trial win after spelling at the end of a coming-of-age last preparation.

Though he gives away a race-fitness advantage to all of his rivals who have each had a start this time in, It’s Tough’s class should put him right in the frame.

Sunday’s race will provide those at longer odds in the New Zealand Cup market the chance to boost their claims and importantly, boost their ranking to qualify.

Next best in the Cup market at $26, Dreams Are Free has work to do to make the New Zealand Cup field.

The southern pacer caught the eye in his last start in the Maurice Holmes Vase when missing away, before staging a big recovery and running out of room in the home straight behind The Lazarus Effect.

Borrisokane is in a similar spot with his ranking of 21 in the Cup order of entry.

The comeback pacer has been excellent in his two starts back for trainer Regan Todd after a lengthy hiatus.

Borisokane chased hard behind The Lazarus Effect in the New Brighton Cup, finishing just in front of key Hannon Memorial contender Tact McLeod, who is also on the comeback trail.

The Mark Jones-trained pacer is one of the few Hannon Memorial starters sitting inside the top 15 for the New Zealand Cup.

Ranked just ahead of him is Franco Sinatra, who produced an eye-catching fresh-up effort in the New Brighton Cup.

The pacer rattled home late, reeling off slick sectionals in a run that is sure to have tightened him up for his Oamaru assignment.

This year’s Hannon lives up to the old racing cliché that just about every horse has a winning chance with Wag Star, Bettor’s Anvil and Wild Willow also heading to Oamaru on Sunday.

To see the Oamaru fields click here

by Jonny Turner for Harness Racing New Zealand