Luckless in his bid for a slice of history in the recent St Arnaud Trotters’ Cup, Tristan Larsen hopes to make amends in Stawell this weekend.
Establishing himself as the King of the Trotters’ Cup in recent seasons, Larsen attempted to become the first driver to complete a hat-trick in the provincial feature, but could only manage midfield with Johns Boy.
As it stands, Larsen and John Caldow are the only drivers to complete consecutive wins in the St Arnaud Trotters’ Cup, with the latter triumphant with Posimistic in 2012 and ’13.
Fast forward to Sunday and Larsen will once again combine with the Brent Lilley-trained Johns Boy as the trio aims for a third Cup of the season.
Larsen, Lilley and Johns Boy secured the Birchip and Echuca Trotters’ Cups earlier this year.
“I’ve had a good run with the Cups and it would be nice to get another one,” Larsen said. “Hopefully things will go our way.”
One of two Lilley runners in the 2600-metre event, Johns Boy will begin from the 10-metre mark, with his stablemate, Tripod, on the front line
“St Arnaud didn’t work out for him, but he did his best,” Larsen said. “He’s been going well on the training track and is ready to run a big race.
“It is a pretty even field, including Link In Bio, which won the St Arnaud Cup, so he has his work cut out for him.”
Later on the card Larsen will attempt to break his Pacing Cup hoodoo when he partners Kitsune in the club’s flagship event.
Prepared by Peter Salathiel, Kitsune has drawn gate seven.
“He’s had three runs back from a year off, so he’ll be pretty fit,” Larsen said. “The draw has certainly made it hard on him, but he should shape up well.
“It will be nice if he can get the win and I can drive my first Pacing Cup winner.”
