The Rising Stars Championship was once a staple of the early-season 3YO campaign, and the series makes a welcome return at Addington this Friday. The race has been won by some outstanding pacers over the years – including future New Zealand Trotting Cup winners Chokin, Christian Cullen, and Changeover. Small fields ultimately saw it removed from the feature race calendar, but a field of ten for Heat One is a very positive sign for its revival.
The bookmakers have made Partytime the early favourite from the strong Nathan Williamson stable. Unbeaten in two runs and drawing favourably in barrier three, he arrives first-up since June but has trialled well in preparation, beating his two trial rivals convincingly. With all nine rivals having won within their last five starts, however, this shapes as his biggest challenge to date.
Cee Whata Mickee (8) has looked immensely talented in his limited starts for trainer Ken Barron. He resumed with a brave second last week and will take a significant step forward from that run. He starts wide on the front line over 1980m, just to the inside of Stumblin In (9), who is also well regarded in the market. Stumblin In is one of two runners for trainer Regan Todd and his last-start third in the Champion Stakes behind Group 1 winner Freeze Frame was an excellent effort.
Franco Lomu (4), meanwhile, was a winner at Addington last month before a sound third behind the progressive Mostert three weeks ago. He has the early gate speed to find a prominent position and could be potent from there. Other genuine chances include Mickey Holler (1), last-start winners Nikolai Ray (2), Rakero Maximus (5), and St Paddy (6) — all of whom have drawn well enough to play a part in the finish.
Heat Two of the series runs on 14 August, with the $30,000 Final to follow a week later.