Bet N Win Warding Off Aussie Invasion in The TAB Trot

It’s an Aussie invasion in Friday’s $600,000 The TAB Trot (2200m) at Cambridge Raceway, but Bet N Win (NZ) (What The Hill) will be doing his best to keep the spoils on home soil.

The five-year-old son of What The Hill will be one of just three Kiwis in the eight horse field, with a quintet of Australian invaders looking to spoil the party once more after Greg Sugars guided the Jess Tubbs-trained Just Believe to victory in last year’s inaugural running of the race.

Bet N Win was bred by Breckon Farms and was offered through their 2021 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft in Auckland where he was purchased by co-trainer David White for $32,500.

He has been a dominant force over the last two seasons for White and his wife and training partner Stacey, winning seven of his nine starts on both sides of the Tasman, including last month’s Gr.1 New Zealand Trotting Champs (2600m) at Addington Raceway.

Last week in a small but select field, Bet N Win was strong through the line when placing behind Friday race rival Oscar Bonavena (NZ) in the Gr.2 Waikato Trotters Flying Mile (1609m) at Cambridge Raceway, giving his connections plenty of confidence heading into this week’s feature.

Bet N Win was given no favours in Tuesday’s barrier draw, drawing one on the second line, however, the Whites disillusion waned when the remainder of the draws were revealed, with the race lending itself to a speed duel upfront.

“Initially when it (draw) came out we would have preferred a draw upfront, near the inside, but as the draw kept coming out we got more upbeat about where we had drawn,” Stacey White said.

“It looks like on paper that there should be a lot of speed up front early and our horse is going to be out of that to a degree. We are just going to let Bob (Butt, driver) take the reins and see what happens, whether he stays behind the mare (Im Ready Jet) or he possibly looks to pop off. Being the only horse on the second line he is going to have options.

“Hopefully things pan out and he gets a bit of luck. He will need a bit of luck with those other horses drawing handier. He will be there doing his best.”

Fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Kyvalley Hotspur (NZ) (Muscle Hill) is the first emergency for The TAB Trot and the Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett-trained entire will begin from the outside of the front row if he gains a start.

The seven-year-old was also bred by Breckon Farms and was offered through their 2019 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft in Auckland where he was purchased by KPC Racing for $110,000.

Bet N Win is rated a $5 third favourite for The TAB Trot with TAB bookmakers, behind joint market leaders Oscar Bonavena and The Locomotive at $2.90.