New Zealand Trotting Championship steeped in history

This Friday night at Addington the 115th New Zealand Trotting Championship will be run over 2600 metres.

The first NZ Trotting Championship was held in 1908 and was run over two miles. The distance was changed to 2600 metres in 1977.

It became a Group (Group Two) race in 1980, won by Scotch Tar and was elevated to Group One status in 2004 when Allegro Agitato won for Phil Williamson.

Williamson went on to win the next two Trotting Championships with Jasmyn’s Gift in 2005 and Allegro Agitato again in 2006.

The Oamaru horseman had also won the race with converted pacer Role Model in 1998.

The Greg and Nina Hope trained Muscle Mountain is the only horse to have won it three times and is the defeating champion and race record holder. His record time of 3-21.1 was set last year.

Regarded as a good horse’s race, the honours board includes Sundees Son, Speeding Spur, Monbet, Stent, One Over Kenny, Take A Moment, Cedar Fella, Diamond Field, David Moss, Sundon, Jenner, Tussle, Easton Light, Basil Dean, No Response, Nigel Craig, Scotch Tar and Sir Castleton.

Many of the New Zealand Trotting Championship winners have also won the Dominion Handicap.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink