More than 15,000 people flocked to Addington on cup day. PHOTO: John Davidson/Photosport.
Punters splurge $7.5 million on trotting cup day - a 25-year record for any code
By Barry Lichter • 9 November 2022
Record betting figures were posted on Tuesday’s trotting cup day meeting at Addington.
New Zealand punters wagered $7.5 million on the 13-race card, the highest turnover of any meeting, both harness and thoroughbreds, in the last 25 years.
The previous record was also set on Addington’s cup day, when $7.1 million was bet in 2007, the year Flashing Red won his second cup.
The highest take at a gallops meeting was $6.7 million turned over on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie in 2021.
Addington’s Racing Industry Manager Darrin Williams reports turnover on the cup was close to $2million with $131,689 on-course, $1,039,400 off-course and $743,179 on the fixed odds market. That took the total to $1,914,267, or $127,618 per starter.
Strong fields have been carded again at Addington for Show day on Friday with Australian Rock N Roll Doo the big winner in the draw for the $200,000 NZ Pacing Free-for-all.
The Victoria Cup winner blew the start of the IRT Cup from the second row and beat only one home but reverts to a mobile on Friday.
Self Assured, one of the most unlucky runners in Tuesday’s cup, is a little wider out in seven.
His effort to finish fifth, less than two lengths from the winner Copy That was enormous after scrambling away, becoming buried on the markers then being held up leaving the final bend and locking wheels and puncturing a sulky tyre near the 300m.
Addington’s official GPS tracking system StrideMASTER clocked Self Assured to run his last 1600 metres in a staggering 1:51.89.
Alta Wiseguy, who did well for seventh on Tuesday, gets the coveted ace draw, with stablemate B D Joe on his back.
The two big guns in the $300,000 Dominion Trot both drew the front row, Muscle Mountain in one and Sundee’s Son in seven.
More news in Harness
Second row draws against Prince Lincoln and Spiritual Bliss but they’re still favourites
Davine snaps up fleet-footed Debbie Lincoln but you can still follow her in Queensland
It’s Christmas-New Year Bliss for Phillips but just who has his mare fallen in love with?
Prince set to sign off 2025 in style but Ray tips out two specials to follow in the New Year
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Johnny Lincoln
5.39pm
“He didn’t do anything at Auckland last start but seems to go better left-handed and placed at Cambridge in his only start there.”
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.39pm
“Her driver (Harrison Orange) said she would have won last start had that horse (Mr Miki) not stopped in her face. The winner was gone by the time she saw daylight. She will just need some luck from the second row draw.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.39pm
“He should have won last start at Auckland but we’ve taken the blinds off on Friday night and, in a weaker line-up, going left-handed, we’ll see how he goes.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.37pm
“I think the race will be won or lost soon after the start. It’s out of our control, we just have to hope she gets a run through and then I’m sure she’ll be hard to beat.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.40pm
“She’s got a little bit of lick but only has a short sprint, so timing is everything.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.40pm
“Being put in the race from the start last time obviously took a bit of the sting out of him. But at least there’s no chance that will happen this time from the second row. In his previous races he’d ducked for cover and got sucked along but he needs a decent tempo, he’s no sit-sprinter.”
