Scott Plant is an Auckland Cup winner no matter where No Doctor Needed finishes in tomorrow’s Group One $250,000 feature Pace.
Plant, who is a harness racing traditionalist, was one of three Auckland Trotting Club Board members that ensured the great race reverted back to a 3200m standing start on December 31 last year.
“It was a 2700m mobile from 2007 until the March Auckland Cup in 2015. The race has enormous history and I was saddened to see it revert to a 2700m mobile in 2007.
“I personally think it should have always be a standing start staying test. I’m not one who likes to break from tradition. The New Zealand Cup is a two-mile stand, and they haven’t tampered with that distance,” Epsom-based Plant said.
“The Auckland Cup should have always been the same without change. I’m excited. It would be a dream come true to win my home-town Cup,” he added.
Plant said he, Jamie MacKinnon, and Phil Cook were on the ATC’s Racing Committee, which ensured the change two years ago. Plant knew the 1968 Auckland Cup was run from a two mile (3200m) stand, and perhaps that’s where his passion for tradition stemmed from.
“I was just 12. My parents made me stay at home with family while they went to the Auckland Cup. They had friends with Tommy Knowles and he won the Auckland Cup that year with Cardinal Garrison. I remember it very clearly,” Plant said.
They strolled home in 4:09.2 that day – just 3.2 seconds slower than Have Faith In Me’s sedate time last December.
“That was the first 3200m race since March 2006 and I hope they go a bit quicker this time. If not the Purdon (Mark) horses could get away with murder and kill us.
“I’m not saying No Doctor Needed (7) can win over two miles but he can stay and if he can get away on terms, and then gets the trip to suit, he can run over the top of them. We just need a solid pace.
“I don’t think he’s the worst chance at all. I certainly think he’s capable of surprising a few,” Plant said.
No Doctor Needed is the $26 fifth-favourite to win Saturday’s 11-horse Trillian Trust Auckland Cup.
He’s had one start in the race previously – finishing a six- length ninth behind Have Faith In Me last March.He was driven by Scott Phelan that night. Ricky May will drive him for the third consecutive time after finishing third and 10th in the Group Three Summer Cup (December 9) and the Group Two Franklin Cup (December 16) respectively.
Auckland Cup second favourite Titan Banner got the better of him both times in those races.
“I’m really excited. He has matured a lot this year but a gallop at the start cost him in the Franklin Cup. He will cop the two miles okay. We just want him to step away,” Plant stressed.
No Doctor Needed is owned by Plant (60%), former 'Voice of the Park' –commentator, Alby Gain (10%); past Auckland Trotting Club president Steve Stockman (10%); and Plant's son and daughter – Greg and Nicki who have a 10% share each.
The 6-year-old Mach Three gelding has now won 12 of his 47 starts, placed in 19 others, and netted $208,700 in stakes, Five of his wins have come at Alexandra Park, but he is yet to nail a cheque in three starts over the 3200m stand.
No Doctor Needed’s biggest wins to date have come via the Group Two Southern Supremacy Stakes as a 3-year-old in April 2014 and the Group Three Kumeu Founders Cup in March this year.
He finished an 18-length second when 10th favourite (of 15) in this year’s New Zealand Cup at Addington Raceway.
“Prior to breaking last start No Doctor Needed had placed twice at Alexandra Park. I was delighted with the way he came home two starts ago. He’s been racing off handicaps when they have gone New Zealand records.
“He is off the front this time and hopefully he can get a nice sit and then one run at them. I think he can at least place,” said Plant.
No Doctor Needed is paying $5 on the TAB’s Futures place market.
After The Auckland Cup No Doctor Needed will transfer to Paul Fitzpatrick’s Sydney stable where he will race for three months. “He deserves a chance in mobile races over there. I think he will be well placed in some of their races, and if he has to take on the guns later on he should start off the front.
“It will be a good chance for him to develop even further,” said Plant. No Doctor Needed was bred by Plant Racing Limited.
He is out of the now 15-year-old Christian Cullen – Wisha (Vance Hanover) mare, Molly Darling.
Plant owned Molly Darling with Warren Oliver, and breeder Brian Hewes and Brent Mangos before she was sold to America.
They paid $16,000 for her in 2003.
Molly Darling was a multiple Group One winning mare who raced 72 times for 24 wins, 18 placings and won $575,150 in stakes. She raced in New Zealand 21 times for eight wins, five placings and netted $178,229 in stakes.
Duane Ranger