Brosnan confident southern trotter is on target for top effort in Rowe Cup
If Bart Cummings was training Stylish Monarch he would be thrilled heading into tonight's $250,000 Canam Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park.
Well, that's what caretaker trainer Richard Brosnan thinks anyway.
Brosnan may not have trained as many champions as Bart - then again, nobody has -but he has had more than his share, with horses like Bonnie's Chance and No Response to mention just two.
While Murray Tapper officially trains Stylish Monarch and will be on hand at Alexandra Park tonight, Brosnan has been looking after the greatly-improved trotter for the past three weeks.
And he likes what he has seen.
"His preparation has been perfect," says Brosnan, never one for getting carried away.
"He has settled in well, handled the track, is racing well and I was thrilled with him last week."
That was when Stylish Monarch flew home for fourth after being pushed back to near last at the 400m.
"That was the ideal performance, even though he was unlucky, leading into a 3200m," says Brosnan.
"The sort of performance a trainer like Bart Cumming always likes to see the last start before a two-mile race."
Brosnan has been so impressed by Stylish Monarch he rates him the equal of his former dual group one winner Pompallier.
"Being as unbiased as I can, I wouldn't swap him for any other horse in the race this Friday."
After drawing well at five, Stylish Monarch now looks likely to start second favourite behind Aussie hero Sundon's Gift, who even after failing last week will head betting markets, especially with the Australian co-mingling into the pool.
He was trapped three wide for much of his Alexandra Park debut last Friday and while he faded to seventh his sectionals were fantastic.
Trainer Chris Lang says the big horse will be even better tonight.
"He lost a little bit of weight on the trip over but he is right back to normal now and I couldn't be happier."
Sundon's Gift is the class act of the race and is potentially drawn well at three on the second line so is still the one to beat.
With so many of our best trotters having question marks over them you could make a case for Springbank Richard, I Can Doosit, Pocaro and even place claims for the likes of Braig and Lleyton H.
Pocaro was stunning when flashing home for second, relegated to third last Friday but being only a 4-year-old there are questions over 3200m with her.
Still, with cover and one run at the leaders she could provide great each-way value.
Springbank Richard would only have to return to his Dominion Handicap form of November to have a wonderful chance from barrier two, but he has rarely reached those heights since Christmas.
Hoofnote: Don't be surprised if Bart Cummings is actually watching the Rowe Cup from home in Australia tonight, as favourite Sundon's Gift is owned by Western Australia's Neven Botica, who also races horses with Cummings.
"Bart always asks me about Sundon's Gift and likes to catch his races when he can," Botica told the Herald.
ROWE CUP NIGHT
* Alexandra Park will host four group one races tonight.
* The Rowe Cup will see Sundon's Gift as favourite over Stylish Monarch.
* Australia will also have a strong hand in the $150,000 Messenger Pace.
* The Trotting Derby and Sires' Stakes Final cap the group one action.
* The quaddie will have a $20,000 bonus while every race will have a bonus $5000 in the First4 pool.
