The Garrards Horse and Hound National Handicap is for many the first stepping stone on the road to the second Tuesday in November – and with the NZ Cup less than 100 days away, a number of this week’s contenders will be hoping to stake their claim for a spot at the biggest dance of all.
Mo’unga is no stranger to Cup Day, having started twice – finishing sixth in 2024 and tenth behind Kingman last year. He used this very race last season to kick off his Cup campaign and does so again from the 30-metre back mark. He comes in slightly fresh after a June campaign that included a win over race rival Renegade (20m), and he tends to race particularly well in that condition. Alongside Renegade is the ultra-consistent Da Vinci, a terrific third in this year’s Hydroflow Country Championship, though he hasn’t saluted in more than two years and will need to break that drought.
Stonewall Stud hold a strong hand in the race with two interesting runners off 10 metres. Last season’s Garrards NZ Derby placegetter Bettors Anvil lines up for his first attempt at a standing start under race day conditions, having won two standing start trials in preparation. Stablemate Tact Teva (very much in form) won his only previous attempt at the stand. The best guide to which the stable favours may come from stable number one driver Tim Williams, who has elected to take the reins on Bettors Anvil.