Champion trotter out to show his muscle at the foot of the mountain
Matt Markham - Raceform • November 29th, 2025 11:00 AM
With the exception of Oscar Bonavena, all of New Zealand’s best trotters are off to a nice bit of grass this weekend to chase success in the Yabby Dam Farms Trotters Green Mile at Methven.
The annual grass-track sprint generally attracts a few of the better trotters in the land each year, but rarely does the $25,000 feature bring together almost all of the big guns like it has in 2025.
Muscle Mountain, Bet N Win, Mighty Logan, Mr Love and Midnight Dash will be joined by other high-grade trotters like Maui, One Over All and Confessional in the one-mile dash, making for a mouthwatering clash.
“It’s a great field this year, which is so good to see because it should make for a great spectacle,” Ben Hope told RaceForm.
Hope and his father Greg have three of the aforementioned chances in the race, spearheaded by Muscle Mountain who will be out to claim his first win in the race after finishing second behind Oscar Bonavena last year.
“He’s come through Cup Week really well. We were very proud of both of his efforts and he’s ready to go this weekend. But it won’t be easy with the big field from the wide draw.”
Muscle Mountain has drawn the outside of the front line, with Bet N Win to his immediate inside. The big loser out of the preferential barrier draw for the race is Mighty Logan, who has been tucked away at one on the second row, following low-grade trotter Silverlinings.
“Tactics will be interesting, but we know we’ve got the speed so it’s just a case of finding the right spot for him and giving him his chance.”
Off the back of their New Zealand Trotting Derby victory at Group One level last week, Ben’s first as co-trainer, Midnight Dash and Mr Love add to the stable’s strong hand in the race.
“Midnight Dash was really consistent through Cup Week, just like he has been all season, and he should appreciate the grass track this week. Mr Love, however, didn’t back up at all on the Friday of Cup Week but he’s shown his speed on the grass before so they both get their chance.”
Hope will, as usual, be on board Muscle Mountain while Gemma Thornley takes the drive on Midnight Dash and hometown legend Ricky May will look for his fourth Trotters’ Green Mile with Mr Love after wins with Phil’s Gift, Monbet and Everybody Knows previously.
What happens post Sunday with the trio will be a lot clearer after the race.
“We’re weighing a few things up at the moment, but Muscle Mountain will head south for Invercargill Cup Day and then, all going well, on to Auckland after that.
“Midnight Dash is likely to stick around here and not travel north. He could be a horse we see at Central Otago in the New Year. We’re just not sure with Mr Love, but what he does on Sunday will determine what we do next.”
Bet N Win will follow the same path as Muscle Mountain after this week but steps out on the grass track for the first time in his career this weekend.
