Mr Love's win a huge thrill for Hopes in Rowe Cup

By Michael Guerin

Ben Hope was so thrilled with the biggest win of his driving career he almost needed to be reminded he actually also co-trained Mr Love to win a Reharvest Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park on Friday.

“I hadn’t really thought about that,” he laughed modestly.

It is not that Hope forgot he now has his name on the stable paperwork more that he sees this training win as belonging to his father Greg.

“Dad deserves all the credit for this,” he said.

“He has peaked him for this race knowing he is such a great stayer and that this was his chance to win a really big one.”

Ben did the rest as he stepped Mr Love well and got the lead then the trail behind Hillbilly Blues and it was obvious at the top of the straight Mr Love was going to win.

But the ease with which he raced clear was emphatic, with Oscar Bonavena a brave second in his last race and Hillbilly Blues holding on for third without looking back to his best.

“This is my biggest win because I count this race and the Dominion as the two majors,” says Hope.

“But with Mum and Dad owning him that makes it so much more special.”

Of course Ben wouldn’t be driving Mr Love if it wasn’t for his main man Muscle Mountain going sore after his latest win, making this a career highlight case of one door opening as another temporarily shuts.

“I think we all know Muscle Mountain is the better horse but I think this horse is the better stayer so that setback got me here and it means so much to me,” says Ben.

While Ben may be a co-trainer these days he says his role in the partnership is still to learn.

“Dad is such a good trainer, especially with trotters, that I am just trying to learn as much as I can.”

While Oscar couldn’t win his last race he lost no admirers as we farewell the little trotting gem while Hillbilly Blues has at least bounced back when things got tough as that stands him in good stead for later in his career.

The disappointment was Meant To Be, given a perfect trip three back on the outer by Zachary Butcher, and while the first three home were all on the markers the big second favourite didn’t run pass a horse, clearly not at his best.

But after a brave career in our biggest races nobody could begrudge Mr Love and the Hopes this Rowe Cup.