Hoping for another Dominion

The Dominion is not new territory for Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Ben Hope.

Greg with his wife Nina trained Monbet to win in 2016 and Ben has driven in the race a number of times.

Their training partnership has two starts in this years $400,000 Group One Renwick Farms Dominion – Mr Love (Love You) and Habibti Pat (Father Patrick) with Mr Love drawing the best of the pair at three.

“Happy with the draw,” Ben said.

Mr Love has run in two Dominion’s, finishing ninth behind Just Believe in 2024 and second behind Gus last year.

“He’s also won the Rowe Cup, so he loves the distance.”

He’s had four runs this campaign and in last month’s Ashburton Trotters Sprint finished a good second behind Prestigious.

“Happy with how he went at Ashburton and thought it was a really good run leading up to the Dominion but we’re under no illusions that Gus looks very hard to beat. We think he’ll go well but Gus deserves to be favourite. He’s trained on well and seems in a good place. He’s a good standing start horse and we’ll be looking to get a good spot early.”

Meanwhile Habibti Pat (Father Patrick) draws five on the second row.

“The draws made it tricky and she’s just going to need a bit of luck. She’s got a really good turn of foot on her and whatever Blair (Orange) chooses to do she’s still going to be a nice chance.”

Habibti Pat has had three runs leading into the two mile feature for a win, a second and a third. And she’s been back to the trials since her last win when she took out a 2600 stand heat by a length and a quarter.

“Blair was really happy with the way she trotted and felt she’s heading in the right direction.”

Orange won the feature driving Habibti Ina in 2019.

“It’s a huge prestigious race. My parents have won it before with Monbet so we’ll be trying hard to win it.”

Ben said it’s hard to split Habibti Pat and Mr Love.

“I think on pure ability Habibti Pat would be the better one because she’s got the X factor and is a very good mare. As to how the draws work out – Mr Love has got a great draw and a great two mile record so they’ve both got positives.”

The Dominion trots off at 4.35pm.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink