Mo'unga kicks off 2025 with another Cup win

By Jonny Turner 

It didn’t quite happen as expected but Mo’unga kicked a winning goal with his brilliant victory in the Group 3 Central Otago Trotting Cup at Omakau.

The pacer signed off an outstanding summer and spring campaign when powering away from his opposition to score for trainer Regan Todd and driver Robbie Close. 

Mo’unga has earned himself a crack at New Zealand’s rich autumn harness racing features with the progress he has made recently. 

The pacer began the spring on the fringes of New Zealand’s open class ranks before ending his campaign at Omakau an established top-liner. 

“He deserves a let up now, he has been up since the Hannon (Memorial) in September,” Todd said.

“Even though we have spaced his races along the way, he has been up and going for a while and this is the perfect time to give him a break.”

“The best thing about him is that he has gotten better right the way through.”

“It would be nice to think he would be able to keep improving.”

“We will aim him at the good races in Auckland in the autumn and see how he measures up.”

Mo’unga was expected to use his brilliant early speed to lead and win the Central Otago Trotting Cup.

Initially, things went to plan, but a mid-race move from Jonny Cox and Pinseeker put the favourite in the trail.

On the home turn, Mo’unga was held up as runner-up One Change took the lead, but only a matter of seconds later the Todd trained pacer showed his class.

“The best part about it was the way he hit the line, he really hit the hopples that last 150m,” Todd said.

“I was a bit nervous for a little bit there, but what would I know, it was a peach of a drive.”

There was no need for One Over All to wait for clear air on the home turn in Group 3 Gallagher Family Gold Cup.

The trotter added to his long list of wins on both sides of the Tasman with his powerful front-running display for trainer Gavin Smith and driver Matthew Williamson.

One Over All initially won five races in New Zealand before adding 17 Australian wins to his record for owners Mark Goodhew and Lex Williams, who races the trotter with the estate of his late wife, Heather.

One Over All, who returned to New Zealand in the spring, won four group races in Australia before adding number five to his name in Omakau’s feature trot. 

Canterbury trainer Bruce Negus enjoyed plenty of success at Omakau’s big annual meeting.

Buffy Northstains completed a hat-trick of wins for the trainer when speeding home to win for driver Mia Holborough.

The trainer earlier scored as an owner with Monkee Major, who he races with fellow trainer Tony Barron. 

The three-year-old prevailed by the narrowest of margins after an epic home straight duel with runner-up Janaka’s Delight.