Kennards line up three runners in country's biggest and greatest race

9 November 2026 , Ownership

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

Expecting a very familiar feeling of "nerves and excitement," high profile owners Philip and Glenys Kennard are just one sleep away from a day they love.

The couple share in the ownership of Marketplace, Mo'unga and Renegade who'll all line up in the $800,000 Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup and also have the likes of Scoundrel and Rubira chasing Group glory earlier in the meeting.

It's the third time the Kennards have had three starters in the great race - a feat unmatched in recent times.

"It's something we are pretty proud of," says Philip, "and it's a credit to the trainers we have and the syndicates that don't put any pressure on the horses."

Big buyers at the yearling sales, the Kennards will have their 27th Cup runner if their trio lines up, as expected, tomorrow.

"Of those 26 will be since 2010," says Phil.

They have won the Cup three times, all in a row, with the great Lazarus (below) twice and with Thefixer in 2018. Lazarus' first win in 2016 was in 3:53.1, which is still the race record.

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In that win the Kennards also lined up Smolda (4th) and Moonrock (11th)

That was the second time they'd had three starters following on from 2012 with Highview Tommy (second), Major Mark (5th) and Fly Like An Eagle (7th).

This year the Kennards had the potential of a fourth runner in Rubira but he is a second emergency and will take his place in the Group 2 Tyre General Free For All earlier in the day instead.

Former 2YO and 3YO of the Year Marketplace is New Zealand pacing's great hope of a home win in a race dominated by the Aussie big three of Leap To Fame, Swayzee and Kingman.

He is currently a $6 equal second favourite with Mo'unga at $41 following his fast-finishing third in Monday's Kaikoura Cup while Renegade is a $101 outsider.

"He actually could be a surprise package," says Phil, "a smokey."