Terror ready for fourth NZ Cup tilt
They say a change is as good as a holiday, but the Courts are more than happy to go to work with the tried and tested.
Paul Court and his father Graham know more than most what it takes to win a New Zealand Trotting Cup.
The co-trainers have won the last three NZ Cups with Terror To Love and on November 11 he will chase down a record fourth consecutive crown.
The first nominations for the 2014 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup closed yesterday with 37 runners entered.
Terror To Love was named Horse of the Year at New Zealand Harness Racing annual awards last weekend after another unbelievable season and Paul Court said nothing be changed in the build up to November 11.
‘‘Why fix it if it ain’t broke?’’ Court said.
‘‘We will stick with the plan that has worked for the last three years.’’
The first nominations for the cup included five runners from Australia including For A Reason who was owned by Ken McDonald who died earlier this month.
McDonald – the brother of Terror To Love’s owner Terry – had wanted to bring his star pacer out to New Zealand for the cup so his sons Ryan and Terry have joined together in an effort to make it happen. The other four Australianentries are Themightyquinn, Maximan, Abettorpunt and Seel N Print who, if they all make it across the ditch, would make for one of the more competitive fields in recent memory given the talent that exists within the 32 nominated horses from New Zealand.
Court said they would not pay too much attention to the nominations until the final field was announced.
‘‘It’s like this every year, but they don’t always front.
‘‘But if they do all come over we will embrace it, it will be a good battle.’’
He said Terror To Love would likely make an appearance at a workout or trial early next month
‘‘Why fix it if it ain’t broke?’ We will stick with the plan that has worked for the last three years. ’’ Paul Court
and would start in the same three races as he did before the last three cup preparations – the Canterbury Classic, the Avon City Ford (New Brighton) Cup and the Flying Stakes at Ashburton.
The only minor change comes on the back of Terror To Love being too old to contest the Harness Jewels which meant he went out for a break slightly earlier than normal.
His last race was when he won the Rangiora Classic on April 27.
Court said Terror To Love would likely have one extra trial or workout, but the difference was minimal.
Much of the hard work has already been done at home before the three-time champion gets near a track.
‘‘We are really happy with his work. He has done a lot for the good foundation work at home.’’
Closer to November the prospect of going for four in a row is likely to be a hot topic but neither father Graham or son Paul Court had thought about it.
‘‘You just have to play it along like you are going for your first one,’’ Paul Court said.