Kiwi raiders eye Tricodes

By Glen Atwell
INTERNATIONAL raiders are preparing to launch an assault on the $20,000 Trotter’s Cup, the harness feature race on Tricodes Day.
A number of combatants who participated in the Inter Dominion Trotters Championship at Moonee Valley on Saturday night are expected to make their way to Cranbourne for the Group 3 event.
The Bruce Skeggs Trotter’s Cup is a handicapped event over 2585 metres and is one of the most anticipated races of Tricodes Day.
Connections of New Zealand star Galleons Sunset, winner of the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final, are known to be considering the race.
Another Kiwi raider, Whatsundermykilt, who finished fourth in the same race, is also a likely starter on Tricodes Day.
Cranbourne Harness Racing Club chief executive David Scott welcomed the international interest in the feature race.
“It will really add interest to an already great race,” he said.
“Throw in a number of up and coming locals and add the intrigue of the standing start handicap conditions and we should be in for another exciting race.”
Last year, champion trotter A Touch Of Flair overcame a 50-metre back mark to win the event.
It proved to be his farewell Australian performance, and was exported to North America soon after the race to continue his racing career.
Mr Scott said the Tricodes Day meeting provided each of the participating clubs with a unique opportunity to showcase their racing product.
“The three racing clubs have proven they can work together to make the day a success, despite a number of obvious and not so obvious logistical challenges,” he said.
“A great deal of planning goes into solving dilemmas such as the shared use of a limited number of horse stalls, the coordination of broadcasting of 23 races, and catering for each code’s stewards panels.”
“In recent years we think we’ve got the formula just about right and we’re looking forward to this year’s event,” Mr Scott said.