We’re all aware there are no certainties in racing, but it’s pretty safe to say prominent trainer Brent Lilley is close to a ‘good thing’ when it comes to registering another country cup victory this weekend.
Victoria’s country cups King – especially in the trotters’ division – Lilley has won more than a dozen provincial features in recent years, along with claiming his share of metropolitan majors.
Fast forward to Sunday’s Boort program and Lilley appears destined to add the club’s Trotters’ Cup to his ever growing collection.
A field of six will contest the 2612-metre event, including five members of Lilley’s stable.
Lilley’s crew consists of cup winners Maestro, El Conqueror and Johns Boy, which as the sole handicapped runner, will begin from the 20-metre mark.
“We’ve had a pretty good run in the various cups,” Lilley said. “They are nice races to win and I can’t see why we won’t pick up another on Sunday given the weight of numbers is in our favour.”
The ‘odd one out’ in the field, The Dark Thunder has drawn the pole to trainer Mary-Jane Mifsud.
Completing a successful return from a spell last week, The Dark Thunder’s position in the line-up creates a case of family rivalry.
Although prepared by Lilley, Tripod is owned by Mifsud’s mother Julie and will be driven by her father, Austin.
