Locals fizzing for Cup Day

It’s been a long time in the making. But Southland harness racing will hold it’s first $100,000 Group One race on Saturday (Dec. 17) and local trainers are excited about the whole day.

“A lot of the fields on Saturday are small and even but there’s a lot of quality so the racing will be competitive,” Southland’s leading trainer Nathan Williamson said.

Sand Wave (Somebeachsomewhere) is Williamson’s Cup runner this year. His last start third in the New Zealand Derby behind Akuta (Bettor’s Delight) and Republican Party (Bettor’s Delight) was full of merit and Saturday’s feature will give his trainer another gauge on where he sits in the open class pecking order.

“He’ll have his last hopple run on Friday. The wee fella takes a bit of work. He seems bright enough after his Addington run. The run (in the Cup) will decide whether he has a bit of time off over Christmas or we race a bit more. The ones behind (in the handicap) may have an edge in class but we’ll see on Saturday,” Williamson said.

Rakamurph (Captaintreacherous) also raced with merit over Cup Week, and he returns to Ascot Park where he won two starts ago. His race is stacked with talent, with last start winners Captain Tom (Captaintreacherous), Ohoka Le Bron (Rock N Roll Heaven) and Da Vinci (Art Major) all carrying good levels of support. 

“He’ll be very competitive. He’s a notch down on the very elite but this race is a step back in grade. His training’s been good so I expect him to go really well. He’s another horse that’ll appreciate a wee break over Christmas.” 

Charlie P (Master Glide) was favourite at his last start at Addington on Cup Day but didn’t get any favours, finishing mid field.

“He’s a horse that gets quite aggressive in his training at home. We’ve tried to keep a lid on that as much as we can. It’s strange because when he goes to the races he’s very laid back. He’s definitely good enough to win that race. With a nice run he’s the one to beat.”

Foveaux Strait (Bettor’s Delight) fronts up in Race Ten after finishing a close fourth mid week. 

“I was pleased with his run on Wednesday, so he’ll back up. It was just a sprint home. They ran home in 56 and 27 and he ran home well. He’s eaten up and I think he’ll be sharper for the run.”

Tisbury trainer Kirstin Green lines up Macandrew Aviator (Panspacificflight) in Saturday’s Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup and she says the five year old is in a happy place after racing well in Canterbury for the last three months.

“He had a free legged run up the beach on Tuesday. He’s a horse that likes his routine so he’s happy if you don’t change things. He’s gone some cracker races without too much luck. The handicap helps so hopefully he can make a nice clean beginning and end up handy because we know how fast he is,” Barclay said.

Ascot Park trainer Jeremy Douglas has four runners in for Cup Day.

Macandrew Aviator’s half-brother Macandrew Navigator (Sir Lincoln) runs from barrier four in Race Four and Douglas maintains that although the horse is racing well he’s going to be a better pacer next season.

“I think it’s a pretty even lot so whoever gets the run will get the chocolates,” he said.

Quality trotting filly Minnie McGoogan (Pegasus Spur) was a very creditable fourth in the New Zealand Trotting Oaks and Douglas says she’s come through the Addington run well.

“She had a week off after. I think she’s bigger and stronger and very well. The 2700 metres might be a question because she hasn’t run that distance before but I think she’ll handle it okay.”  

Douglas has two runners in Race Ten with contrasting draws. Weststar Lad (Changeover) has been a revelation since moving south and Blair Orange takes the drive.

“If he brings his A game, he’ll just about win but it’s a Premier Day. Blair was pretty quick to choose him as his drive.”

Always B There (Always B Miki) is Douglas’s second runner and he gets a wide second row draw.

“He’s a bit like Navigator and is six to twelve months away from being what he can be. I think he’s going to be a really nice horse.”

Craig Ferguson has two runners down for Saturday with Nutcracker (Bettor’s Delight) starting the Wyndham trainers day in Race Five.

“She was a wee bit disappointing last time in, but I think she just needed a bit of time to grow. She’s come back stronger this time and her trials and work’s been really good. She’s always gone nice fresh so I wouldn’t be surprised if she went a nice race,” Ferguson says.

Da Vinci (Art Major) carries picket fence line form into Race Eight. 

“He’s come back from Canterbury well and I’m happy with him but it’s a pretty smart field and he’s got the worst draw so it’s going to be tough. Of the two horses I think he’s my best bet because he’s been racing.”

So, the stage is set for what should be a cracker Cup Day on Saturday with quality horseflesh across the day. Bring it on!!!

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by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink