By MICHAEL GUERIN
The Kaikoura Trotting Cup has emerged as the key New Zealand Cup lead-up.
A decade ago the Kaikoura feature was seen as the ideal final blowout before Addington but in the past few years it has lost favour with some trainers who cite the track as a prime concern.
But with the New Zealand Cup two weeks after Kaikoura this year trainers have decided their stars need to run in the coastal classic otherwise they will face three weeks without a race before Addington.
The result - the strongest Kaikoura Cup field in years.
Among the surprise acceptors yesterday were Yulestar, who was originally going to miss the race, and The Tough Nut, who has had a busy racing schedule in the last month.
The race brings together all of the leading New Zealand Cup hopes apart from Chloe Hanover and Australian raider Breeny's Fella.
And that is good news according to Todd MacFarlane, trainer of northern hope Mac De Stroyer.
"My horse really needs this race because we are probably a step behind some of the southern horses now," he said.
"But a field this strong will give all the trainers an idea of where they stand and it should be a great Cup trial."
Mac De Stroyer beat Kliklite at the Alexandra Park trophy day last Saturday before travelling by road to Blenheim where he will stay until after Kaikoura.
"He has travelled down and settled in very well and Monday will tell me whether he needs a trial before the Cup."
Also having his first look at Kaikoura on Monday will be Holmes D G, who was yesterday promoted to $4.50 favourite for the New Zealand Cup.
In other Cup moves The Tough Nut drifted to $6 while Breeny's Fella is out to $7.50 after finishing third to upset winner Revonez and Shakamaker at Moonee Valley last Saturday. Fields for Kaikoura.-
7 3.38: DB DRAUGHT KAIKOURA CUP $27,000, 2400m Snowy's Passion (1), Tartan Lady (2), Seafield Raider (3), Stars And Stripes (4), Annie's Boy (5), Ouch (6), OK Oskar (Ur) fr, Facta Non Verba (1), Mac De Stroyer (2), Bogan Fella (3), The Tough Nut (4), Under Cover Lover (5) 10, Yulestar (1), Holmes D G (2), Happy Asset (3) 20.
9 4.51: GEORGE CALVERT CUP $15,000, 2400m Bonspiel Tui (1), Fleur's Invasion (2), Sunny Action (3), Globe Trotter (4), Jay Bee Ar (5), Sungait Reb (6), Vieanna Wood (7), Homebrook (8), Pure Adrenalin (9), Cabaletta (10), Major Decision (11), In Shot (Ur), Hanover Whiz (Ur), One Kenny (Ur) fr, Sundon's Way (1), Buster Hanover (2), Sundowner Bay (3) 15. Em: Vienna Wood.
Racing: Kaikoura develops into crucial Addington trial
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