Racing: Shocking final trial by Cup favourite

Favourite Mi Muchacho's New Zealand Trotting Cup campaign is under a cloud after a disastrous trial last night.

The exceptional Morrinsville pacer cut his near front leg when he galloped twice in the official New Zealand Cup trial, in which he finished fourth to Napoleon.

Mi Muchacho was having his first start at Addington and his first left-handed in over six months and he did not enjoy the experience.

The first sign of trouble came after just 400m of the 2600m standing start trial when he rolled into a gallop on the showgrounds bend.

He recovered to pace more smoothly for the next lap but rolled into another gallop 400m from home, having to be taken hold of by driver Peter Ferguson.

He returned to the stabling area with a cut above his near front knee which may not affect him in next Tuesday's cup but could affect his build-up.

But more importantly yesterday's performance dented the aura of Mi Muchacho, who was previously unbeaten this season, which could be crucial in the most even cup in years.

TAB bookmakers are sure to act when they reopen their markets this morning, with Alta Serena likely to be pressing for favouritism along with two-time defending champion Just An Excuse.

Alta Serena drew the best of the big guns in yesterday's Cup draw, coming into barrier one, and all the key contenders also drew the front line with the exception of Bob's Blue Boy and Just An Excuse, who has to start off a 10m handicap.

Mi Muchacho will come into barrier nine, which would have been ideal before yesterday's hiccup.

The most impressive trialist yesterday was Howard Bromac, who stormed into second behind Napoleon but faces a tricky draw on the inside on the second line on Tuesday.

Northern pacers Linford Christie (first emergency) and V For, who is a group one winner, missed out on cup starts, with four-year-old Presido rated above them both while the addition of Scorching to the field is a shock, particularly as trainer John Parsons was not keen on his starting.

Pay Me Christian was the big winner in the draw for the $150,000 Sires' Stakes Final which will also be held next Tuesday, drawing inside all his serious dangers.

The fields for the two group one races next Tuesday are.-

ADDINGTON FEATURES

7 3.25: NRM RACE 13 SIRES' STAKES SERIES $150,000, 3yo mobile pace, 1950m.- Classic Line (1), The Reckoning (2), Winnies Mak (3), Pay Me Christian (4), Looksaflyer (5), Tuherbs (6), Rock On Lavros (7), Racy Rocket (8), Alpine Dream (9), Universal Dream (10), Analyst (11), Ambro The Thug (12), Cool Charm Talker (13), Alta Sirocco (14), Awesome Armbro (Ur) fr. Emergencies: Rock On Lavros, Cool Charm Talker.

9 4.40: CHRISTCHURCH CASINO NZ TROTTING CUP $400,000, special handicap pace, 3200m.- Linford Christie (1), Alta Serena (2), Myron (3), Harnetts Creek (4), Mainland Banner (5), London Legend (6), Born Again Christian (7), Jackson Browne (8), Presido (9), Mi Muchacho (10), Likmesiah (11), Howard Bromac (12), Kiwi Kosby (13), Scorching (14), Bobs Blue Boy (15), Bella's Boy (16), White Arrow (17) fr, Just An Excuse (Ur) 10. Emergencies: Linford Christie, Kiwi Kosby, Bella's Boy.