In-form Hopes take five to Timaru

By Jonny Turner

Team Hope will seek more success at Timaru on Sunday following the outstanding win of Muscle Mountain at Addington on Friday night.

The star Greg and Nina Hope trained trotter put a surprise fresh up defeat behind him when powering to victory in his second start of the spring.

After copping a check that set him a huge task in his first run back, the trotter got a much more suitable trip on Friday night.

“He went super fresh up, but copping that check at the start didn’t help things,” driver Ben Hope said.

“It was a great front-running drive from Johnny (Dunn) too on Aardiebythehill, who looks to have come back really well this season, too.”

“Muscle Mountain felt really sharp on Friday night but I think there is more improvement in him too.”

“He will go to the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup next.”

Hope landed a spot close enough to the pace to be able to drive Muscle Mountain for one run on and the results were devastating.

“It is good to be able to drive him like that when you can, it is tough because usually you don’t want to be giving the good ones a head start,” Hope said.

“He is a high-speed horse, it is his best attribute, but he can obviously do work too.”

The Greg and Nina Hope stable have five horses who can continue their winning form at Timaru on Sunday.

Ben Hope rates Tremendous Lover in race 9 as his best winning chance in the sulky.

“I think he is probably my best drive, he’s been going good races but not getting much luck.”

“I expect him to go a pretty good race.”

The Hope stable also lines up Eddie Osei in race 9.

“He didn’t get much luck first up, the draw (7) probably isn’t ideal but he should be a top 4 chance.”

The Hope stable has Crazy N Love stepping out in race 10.

The mare gave Mia Holbrough her first win in the sulky recently and the pair look a solid chance of doubling up.

“She went really well at Motukarara and it doesn’t look a big step up in grade for her.”

“You’d think she would be a good chance again.”

Crown The Moment carries the Hope stable in race 6 with Ben doing the driving.

The trotter would be a serious hope if he brought his best game.

“He has been a little bit disappointing lately, but he is back on the all-weather and his work has been good.”

“If he is on his game should go a better race.”

Krystal Delight looks a place chance for the Hope team in race 7.