Alexandra Park

Reharvest Rowe Cup 2026 🏆

After two placings in the majors over the last 12 months, MR LOVE - aided by an inch-perfect drive by co-trainer Ben Hope - was a dominant winner of this year’s Reharvest Rowe Cup.

Bred, owned, trained and driven by the Hope family, it provided another special moment for a family that has become such a force to be reckoned with in feature trotting races over many years, with the likes of Muscle Mountain and Monbet - and now you can add Mr Love to that list!

The Love You gelding has now returned home to Christchurch for a brief spell before gearing up for a shot at the big double - the Dominion on his home turf.

Second home was the now-retired Oscar Bonavena. The millionaire trotter all but created the fairytale ending - but as he heads to the breeding barn full time, it was a timely reminder of what a great horse he has been.

Third home, after leading for the majority, was the young gun Hillbilly Blues. After a successful first campaign in the big league, capping it off with a placing in a Rowe Cup shows there’s plenty to get excited about in the future for his connections.

IRT NZ Sires Stakes 3yo Trotters Championship 2026

🏆KYVALLEY RAY

Group One victories don’t come much more comfortably than that, with the talented son of Bold Eagle expertly driven by Blair Orange, leading throughout to secure back-to-back feature race wins at Alexandra Park for Australian trainer Brent Lilley.

The win further enhanced an already outstanding resume, having claimed both the Harness Million and Sires Stakes as a 2yo before returning to capture both features again as a 3yo.

This week, he starts the short favourite to make it a hat-trick in the Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby.

Be on course to witness all the action! You can check out our hospitality options here: https://www.alexandrapark.co.nz/race-night/friday-8-may-rowe-cup-at-top-of-the-park-08-05-2026/