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MELBOURNE - Hunter Cup hero Sting Lika Bee could be a surprise late entry in the Auckland Trotting Cup.
Trainer Brian Tuddenham was not ruling out paying the late entry fee to get his veteran staying star into next month's Alexandra Park classic after his massive win in yesterday's A$500,000 ($570,000) Hunter Cup.
The 8-year-old made the most of a perfect drive from Chris Alford to down Toe Taper and Flashing Red in a race where all three Kiwi contenders were luckless.
For Tuddenham it was vindication of his decision to miss last month's Interdominions in Adelaide, with Sting Lika Bee having won five cups in six weeks.
Now the Victorian trainer has another cup in his sights, the $400,000 Auckland Cup on March 9.
"I will have to look at it now," said Tuddenham. "I just want to keep winning cups with him and he is just as good, maybe better, right-handed than he is this way around.
"I know we would have to pay a late entry fee but I think we can afford it now."
While the race was the highlight of Tuddenham's career, it was one of the lowest moments for leading Victorian driver Darryl Douglas, even though he reined Toe Taper into second.
He turned his back on Sting Lika Bee after driving him to his four previous wins in the past month.
"It was pretty hard to cop but I suppose if I had to get beaten at least it was by people and a horse I know," shrugged Douglas.
His decision saw Alford land the drive as late as last Tuesday to win his third Hunter Cup.
If Sting Lika Bee does make the trip to Auckland, he could be joined by runner-up Toe Taper, who would also have to pay the late entry fee.
Flashing Red is already sure to come, while Toe Taper's stablemate Reba Rajah is also booked and Slipnslide, who won at Albion Park on Saturday night, is also a likely late entrant.
That will put huge smiles on the faces of Auckland Trotting Club officials, who already have local superstars Pay Me Christian, Monkey King, Sly Flyin, Alta Serena, Winforu, Foreal, Mi Muchahco and Awesome Armbro.
It is also a huge vote of confidence in the club's controversial move to change the cup from a 3200m standing start to 2700 mobile, making it that much more attractive to several key contenders.
It also raises the possibility of Australia's open class pacers continuing their domination of the Kiwi elite over the past 18 months.
They had their excuses yesterday, though, with Foreal's race over as soon as it started when she galloped in her first standing start.
Winforu didn't make that mistake but got into an early speed duel with Poppy's Boy and then copped final lap pressure from Flashing Red.
That, coupled with the blustery winds and a 3065m distance, saw him tire in the last 200m.
Tribute was again trapped three wide for the last lap, as he had been in last month's Interdominion Final and the Ballarat Cup nine days ago.
"He tried hard," said driver Tony Herlihy, "but being stuck out there on a windy day was just too hard."
