By Michael Guerin
John Hart wants to win two Cups next month and now he has got the favourite in both.
Just 24 hours after Hart's All Blacks confirmed they are the team to beat at Rugby's World Cup his superstar pacer Holmes D G has been elevated to favourite for New Zealand's greatest horse race - the New Zealand Trotting Cup.
The promotion to favourite isn't just a result of the 5-year-old's stunning win at Alexandra Park last Thursday night.
A weekend of speculation and rumour has also been behind Holmes D G's move into clear $2.75 favouritism yesterday, with Christian Cullen drifting to $4.
So how does a horse drift to $4 without actually doing anything wrong?
Well, TAB bookies are always on the lookout for warning signs and they have been getting them all weekend.
While trainer Brian O'Meara is adamant Christian Cullen is fine the entire harness racing industry has heard rumours the champ may have problems with his feet.
Those rumours have hardly been deflated by the defending Cup hero being moved to a beach training regime and the possible change to his racing programme that could see him contest a $7000 free-for-all at Forbury Park next Thursday, a soft option.
And the TAB bookies got another little teaser yesterday when a Christchurch punter rang wanting to get serious money on Holmes D G and Homin Hosed.
"When you get calls like that out of the blue you take them as a bit of a warning sign that maybe people know something we don't," said a TAB bookie yesterday.
The possible doubts over whether Christian Cullen can overcome a 15 metres handicap have also seen Bogan Fella and Homin Hosed tightened in the betting.
"It has got to the stage now where we are looking to take some money on Christian Cullen to even up the market."
With the Cup just four weeks away racing fans are in for an interesting month.
Horse Racing: Hart chasing unique double
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