The 2018 Seelite Windows and Doors Maryborough Trotters Cup brings together converging formlines from right across the state.
While horses like Father Christmas, King Denny and Fabrication are returning from tackling the TAB Inter Dominion, there are others that haven’t been through the rigors of that series.
One of those is the Brad Stevens-prepared Endsin A Party.
A Yabby Dam Racing McNamara Memorial Geelong Trotters Cup winner two starts back, he thrived over the staying trip when able to lead all the way to defeat Inter Dominion contender Save Our Pennys.
“I’m sure Save Our Pennys wasn’t fully wound up but it was nice to see him go so well through the Inter Dominion,” Stevens said.
“I’d love to see him in one of these longer races be able to sit back and use his speed when they are running along. He definitely doesn’t need to lead; it’s all tempo dependent.”
The story of how the gelding came to be with Stevens is one of sheer luck.
For all intents and purposes the horse was ready to move interstate before a late change.
“He was up for sale and someone from Sydney was buying him but the sale fell through so we were lucky enough to get him in the end,” Stevens said.
“I’m pretty good mates with Matty Gath so I knew the horse had ability and he told me it had ability so it was just a matter of trying to convert it into winning races.”
With a bright future ahead, the son of Pegasus Spur won’t be aggressively targeting the $10,000 Maori's Idol Trotting Championship – awarded to the leading trotter across the season's country cups – despite sitting prominently on the leaderboard.
Instead his trainer plans to race him sparingly over the summer to get the most out of his steed.
“We might look at the Cobram Trotters Cup after this and then maybe a break, I think he probably races his best when we keep him fresh,” Stevens said.
Father Christmas is currently the $4.60 TAB Fixed Odds favourite for the Maryborough Trotters Cup with a wide array of chances in the market including Fratellino ($5), The Boss Man ($6), Destinee Jenilou ($6), Fabrication ($7.50) and Egee Money ($10).
Endsin A Party has firmed from his opening price to be a $19 chance.
Blake Redden