November 19, 2025
The $60,000 Canterbury Classic is set to be a cracker at Addington tonight.
The race 10 winner is guaranteed a start in the $1 million New Zealand Trotting Cup in November, and it’s attracted a capacity field of 15 runners.
Last week’s Commodore Hotel Clubs winner, Republican Party, from the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety barn, is well capable of another win, even from his second line draw of 13.
The main danger will be early favourite Merlin, who has slightly raced under par and We Walk By Faith, who has looked big and strong in for the Hayden and Amanda Cullen barn.
The best local chance is American Me, trained by Brent and Tim White, and driven by Ricky May.
The $40,000 Çanterbury Park Trotting Cup (race 9) is also well sought after because the winner is guaranteed a start in the main $400,000 trotting race on New Zealand Cup Day. The hot favourite will be the Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained Oscar Bonavena, who is in superb form and was exceptional finishing fourth last week behind winner Mighty Logan.
Mighty Logan has a 10-metre advantage on Oscar, and he could make it tough for him and the other 20-metre back markers, Bet N Win and Muscle Mountain.
by Wendy Nordqvist
The $60,000 Canterbury Classic is set to be a cracker at Addington tonight.
The race 10 winner is guaranteed a start in the $1 million New Zealand Trotting Cup in November, and it’s attracted a capacity field of 15 runners.
Last week’s Commodore Hotel Clubs winner, Republican Party, from the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety barn, is well capable of another win, even from his second line draw of 13.
The main danger will be early favourite Merlin, who has slightly raced under par and We Walk By Faith, who has looked big and strong in for the Hayden and Amanda Cullen barn.
The best local chance is American Me, trained by Brent and Tim White, and driven by Ricky May.
The $40,000 Çanterbury Park Trotting Cup (race 9) is also well sought after because the winner is guaranteed a start in the main $400,000 trotting race on New Zealand Cup Day. The hot favourite will be the Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained Oscar Bonavena, who is in superb form and was exceptional finishing fourth last week behind winner Mighty Logan.
Mighty Logan has a 10-metre advantage on Oscar, and he could make it tough for him and the other 20-metre back markers, Bet N Win and Muscle Mountain.
by Wendy Nordqvist
