Leading harness racing trainers Greg and Nina Hope have never had the rub of the green all season with their stylish three year trotter Monbet.
A series of niggles and bad draws has seen the son of Love You play the bridesmaid a few times this season in the Group 1 features.
Tonight at Addington in cold and damp conditions, Monbet just sent a wee reminder of how really talented he is.
Facing some very talented mid grade trotters, Monbet stepped cleanly from barrier one and then handed up to the free going front runner Waterloo Sunset after 200 metres.
Driver Ricky May angled Monbet off Waterloo Sunset's back at the 200 metres and he flew by and away for an emphatic five length victory
Monbet trotted the 2600 metres in the winter conditions in 3:23.7 with smart closing sectionals of 57.4 and 27.8.
Greg Hope was philosophical about the bad luck that had plagued Monbet's three year old season.
" We have deliberately looked after him all season and he has never been bottomed out in any of his races.'
"It would have been nice to have got a good draw in just one of the big ones but he has only gone under by a neck and a nose in two of the group races so he has never disappointed me."
"Tonight's win was penalty free which is why he was here and he can go out for a month or so now."
"He won't be out too long as we want to have him up and running in the lead up to Cup week," Greg said.
Driver Ricky May leaves you in no doubt about how he rates Monbet.
" He is such a beautifully gaited trotter with high speed and is just a lovely horse to drive.
" He showed tonight that when he gets a decent run he can really finish it off," Ricky said.
Greg only has one grizzle and it is about the problems surrounding the availability of the frozen semen of leading sire, Love You.
" I hope it becomes available again as he has done such a great job in New Zealand from small crops."
" I will be one of the first in line if he becomes available," Greg said.
Harnesslink Media