TAB Trot Slot holder Aldebaran Lodge’s Aldebaran Zeus winning on Grins Night of Champions 2023. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Big guns on both sides of the Tasman come to the table for Cambridge’s first TAB Trot Slot
By Barry Lichter • 28 November 2023
Many of Australasia’s key players are among the eight slot holders confirmed for the first slot race for trotters, the TAB Trot Slot, at Cambridge next year.
The inaugural edition of TAB Trot Slot, which will carry an initial stake of $575,000, will be held at Cambridge Raceway on Grins Night of Champions, April 12.
The slot holders who will be scouting for runners in the mobile 2200 metre race for trotters aged three or older are:
* TAB NZ
* Aldebaran Park
* All Stars Racing/ Chris Ryder
* Cullen Breeding
* Haras Des Trotteurs
* Hidden Honey
* Strike Won Racing
* Taylor St Racing Club Syndicate
Cambridge Raceway CEO Dave Branch said it was great to have key players in the harness industry involved.
“We have a really good mix of individuals and businesses which will bring their own energy to the promotion of the race,” he said.
“For us the goal was to get the race off the ground in year one, so that like The Race by Grins, we have something to grow in future years.
“This race wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Entain NZ & Australia and the slot holders who have backed this concept from the start.
“We’re excited to see the negotiations begin now as to who can secure which horses. That will be a huge part of the build-up. There’s already a lot of discussion underway and we think it could be one of the best trotting fields we’ve seen in New Zealand.”
While there was opportunity for 10 slot holders, the race will go ahead with just eight runners in the first year.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.22pm
“She got home really well on the second night at Manawatu and gets a good draw here. There’s not much exposed form in the race so it’s hard to know how she compares but she’ll win one.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
7.01pm
“I thought she went super again last week with no luck and we’ve got a decent draw for a change so you have to like her chances. She’s been getting in on the corners, so we’ve added a Murphy blind.”
Race 3: Tyson
7.01pm
“I was impressed by the way he hung on to Captain Sampson and Greased Lightnin last week. They’re strong sprinters and it was only a sprint up the straight. He’ll need things to go his way from six.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.01pm
“It was his first run for a while last week and he probably needed another trial. But we thought we might as well race him to set him up for this week. The outside draw of eight doesn’t help.”
Race 9: Lincoln Lover
9.55pm
“He’s not as sharp as our other two but he’s a game little bugger. He’ll win races for sure.”
Race 9: Prince Lincoln
9.55pm
“I thought he went really well last week. He’d had only one trial and was a bit fresh so it was understandable that he got tired the last bit. That will tighten him up and I’m expecting him to race well. He’s trained on well since.”
Race 9: Johnny Lincoln
9.55pm
“Prince has the wood on Johnny but he’ll still go well. He found the line well last week. It was his first run for a while too, and his first as a gelding.”
