Racing: Aussie star snatches $250,000 feature

Chris Lang's trademark whip flourishes as Sundon's Gift hits the line in the Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park. Photo / Greg Bowker

Victorian trotter's success does little to dent New Zealand trotting pride.

It was about as local as an Australian victory can be when Sundon's Gift captured the $250,000 Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park last night.

The giant Victorian trotter overcame a second line draw to justify hot favouritism in New Zealand's greatest trotting race, leaving no excuses for second favourite Stylish Monarch.

The win capped a remarkable return from a daunting Scandinavian campaign last year for Sundon's Gift, a trip which would have gutted a lesser horse.

But Sundon's Gift has come back bigger and stronger, dominating Australian trotting this season, winning his second Interdominion Final in February on his way to last night's win.

And while his trainer-driver Chris Lang is a proud Australian, the victory did little to dent New Zealand trotting pride.

Firstly because Sundon's Gift is New Zealand bred and started his career here before joining Lang as a maiden.

"When he arrived we didn't think that much of him at first look but he has been a great horse for us, we just love him," said Lang.

"And we have always loved the New Zealand trotters, the breed is so strong over here and while we might be catching up back home I still love the trotting here.

"Even before we won tonight I was loving it here because the racing here is so strong but to come out and win your biggest trot is something special for me.

"I have been coming here for so long buying your horses and have always been a huge fan of them so just to compete in the big ones here is a buzz. To win it is one of my proudest moments."

What many trotting fans will not know is the battle Lang has had to even still be training horses, after being struck down with a mystery illness a decade ago.

After suffering for six month he was even warned he might face life in a wheelchair, only to have his health, and life, turned around by natural remedies. "When you go through something like that it changes your life and makes you appreciate things more," said Lang.

Hence his now trademark whip flourishes as he hits the line in feature race wins, something Sundon's Gift is giving him plenty of opportunities to practice.

And Kiwi trotting fans can expect to see plenty more of Sundon's Gift next season when he is likely to return to his native Canterbury for maybe the Dominion Handicap in November but definitely the Interdominions in March.

Sundon's Gift wasn't the only group one winner last night sired by champion stallion Sundon, who a race earlier left Kahdon, winner of the $80,000 Breckon Bloodstock Derby.

The Paul Nairn-trained filly completed a feature-race double after taking the Sires' Stakes a week earlier but had to pull out all stops to hold out trailer Miami H.

The win now cements Khadon as the favourite for her division of the Harness Jewels in four weeks and being a filly she also has the option of chasing the Victoria Oaks and Derby in Australia a few weeks later. And giving New Zealand the chance to do what Sundon's Gift did to us last night.