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.
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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
