Ending the year the same way it started

HANDY trotter Kings Guard will attempt to end the season the same way he started it.

As a result of a programming change, Kings Guard will round out 2025 in Sunday’s Cobram Trotters’ Cup.

Last January the Stephen Boyington-trained gelding began the year by winning the Cobram Trotters’ Cup!

“It’s a bit strange the race is being run twice in the same season, but that’s the way the scheduling has worked out,” Boyington said. “The conditions have changed this time though, so it is going to be tougher.

“He’s pretty much on the same National Rating he was on in January, but he began from 10 metres then and will be off 40 this time.

“It’s over 2678 metres though, so it gives him plenty of time to make up the ground.”

While Kings Guard still faces a difficult title defence, Boyington breathed a sigh of relief when the field revealed the task at hand isn’t as arduous as predicted.

Yes, Kings Guard is on the 40-metre backmark, and yes the provincial feature has attracted a solid assembly, but technically, there is no ‘front line’.

Formally-known as ‘scratch’, the front line refers to runners which have not been handicapped, therefore competing over the actual race distance of 2678 metres.

This year’s front line will begin from the 10-metre mark, effectively reducing Kings Guard’s handicap to 30 metres!

“That’s not too bad and it’s not that big a field either,” Boyington said. “Less traffic helps and now it becomes a bit more of a tactical race.

“Bennie And The Jets went well when third behind us in the Gunbower Cup after he galloped and he’s won since, so I’d say he’s the one to beat from 10 metres.

“My bloke is going as well as he was before Gunbower and I expect a good run from him.”