Pat on the back to the Hopes

Driver Blair Orange was quick to credit trainers Greg and Ben Hope after second favourite Habibti Pat (Father Patrick) won the $100,000 G1 AZAP Electrical NZ Trotting FFA at Addington today.

“What a great job she’s doing as a four year old mare. Super training by Greg and Ben to have her here today in this shape. She’s not the easiest steer and she’s still got a couple of quirks but they’ve got her trotting really nice and steering well,” said Orange.

Habibti Pat, after a stellar three year old season in which she won the New Zealand Trotting Derby, is proving to be one of our brightest young trotters.

“It’s never easy stepping from a three year old to a four year old in elite company especially being a female too. She’s got a bright future.”

Today’s race certainly didn’t follow any pre-race chat.

After a false start He Aint Fakin and Nellie Doyle took turns at leading early in Take Two.

Meant To Be was caught out wide with Gus settling back in the last four. As Meant To Be started to drift back Gus got caught on his back which forced driver Pete McMullen to go round Meant To Be and progress forward.

Just as Gus got within striking distance of the front John Dunn pulled Ya Rite Darl out from the one one, forcing Gus out four wide with Habibti Pat on his back. At the 400 Dunn went for the doctor and put two lengths on the field with Gus starting to battle. Meanwhile Orange pulled the plugs on Habibti Pat and she started to let down strongly centre track.

Halfway down the straight she got to the front and went on to win by one and a quarter lengths from Ya Rite Darl with Habibti Pat’s stablemate Freya a head back in third.

HABIBTI PAT REPLAY

The winning time of 2-24.6 was well outside the race record of 2-22.9 held by Muscle Mountain and the New Zealand record of 2-21.8, also held by Muscle Mountain.

“Yeah she went super. She went amazing in the Dominion. It was a huge run and she’s just an amazing filly,” said co-trainer Greg Hope.

This is the first time Ben has won the NZ Trotting FFA but it’s the fourth time  for the Hope family.  Ben’s parents won with Monbet in 2015 and 2016 and with Muscle Mountain in 2022.

Orange has now won the race twice. His other winner was Oscar Bonavena in 2024.

The last mare to win the race was Speculate in 2009.

Dominion winner Gus was very brave but he wasn’t helped by the false start, traffic problems and being carted four wide going into the last bend.

However all honours go to Habibti Pat, Greg and Ben Hope and a patient drive by Blair Orange.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink