Harness racing at Menangle last Sunday has had a flow on effect to this Friday's Auckland Trotting Cup with two of the big names who raced last Sunday having been scratched in the last twenty four hours.
Three time New Zealand Cup winner Terror To Love was the first out yesterday after arriving back in New Zealand from Australia with the issues with his heels that hindered him on Sunday at Menangle still worrying the champion pacer.
“ You can tell he’s just not himself,’’
“We were going to wait until tomorrow (Wednesday) before we made a decision but I’ve just brought him in out of the paddock and there’s no way we can have him right for this week.’’ Paul Court said.
That withdrawal was quickly followed by Sunday's Chariots Of Fire winner Sky Major who of the favoured runners had drawn the best at barrier five.
With Pemberton Shard also out after having such a hard run on Sunday at Menangle, the Auckland Cup field is now down to just ten runners.
All of which makes Adore Me so much harder to beat on Friday night as not only are two of her biggest challengers not there any more, but the reduced size of the field makes her task of getting around the field at some point in the running so much easier.
The Tab opened Adore Me at $2.10 yesterday but several large bets quickly shortened her in to her present quote of $1:60
The second favourite is as expected the champion pacer Christen Me who has drawn better than Adore Me at two on the second line.
His opening price of $4:60 has already shortened to 3:80 and looks great value for a horse who for the second season running has earned the right to be called the Australasian Grand Circuit champion.
The only other runner in single figures is Ohoka Punter at $7:50 who has been set for this all season and seems to be right in the zone at the moment.
All the other runners are quoted at $16 or more which supports the fact that on paper this looks like a three horse race.
Watch out for our runner by runner preview out tomorrow.
Harnesslink Media