That was Stent's third defeat in five starts this season whereas he won eight of his last 10 other starts last season, ending that term clearly the best trotter in Australasia.
De Filippi says that title may still be his but Stent will need to fight for it. "There isn't much between him, Monbet and Master Lavros, as everybody has seen," says De Filippi.
"And because of that luck in the running is going to play a huge role in who wins what.
"He has four races in a few weeks coming up, two at the Park and two at Cambridge, and I don't really expect him to win all four.
"I know if things go his way he can win any race but no matter how well he is going he can't give horses like Master Lavros and Monbet a big start because they don't come back to you."
De Filippi says Stent was not right when fifth to Master Lavros (Monbet didn't start) in the Dominion two starts ago and he is willing to forgive him for his Methven defeat.
"I went off the gate for a look early at Methven but there was no way I was going to get across and then we were always going to struggle to beat Monbet."
De Filippi has sprung a surprise by handing the reins behind his stable star to Maurice McKendry tomorrow night.
"He is up there staying with Maurice and I have quite a lot on down here this week.
"Maurice is driving really well, as he always does, so I am happy to put him on.
"And if he wins this week he will be staying on for the Mile at Cambridge next week because I don't believe in taking winning drivers off."
Most of tomorrow night's field will be back for the $80,000 National Trot at Alexandra Park on December 31, for which Monbet is the $4 favourite over Stent and Master Lavros at $5.
The results over the next three weeks may decide who the king of trotting is but De Filippi says Stent will still head to Melbourne later in the summer to defend the string of group one races he won there last season, including the Great Southern Star on March 12.
Meanwhile, co-trainer Mark Purdon is going into tomorrow night's meeting reassured after blood tests taken from his team revealed no signs of a virus.
The All Stars stable had an off night at Alexandra Park last Friday and Purdon was worried about them being affected by a virus but blood reports came back suggesting no issue.
"So we are taking them there on Friday with no excuses," says Purdon.
Alexandra Park
• Stent and Monbet clash in the $40,000 Lyell Creek Stakes tomorrow night.
• De Filippi has sprung a surprise by handing the reins behind his stable star to Maurice McKendry.
• Most of the field will be back for the $80,000 National Trot on December 31.
