Pinseeker looking to win his way into the NZ Cup

Leeston harness racing trainer and driver Jonny Cox lines up Pinseeker (Downbytheseaide) as a warm favourite in today’s Group 3 Lazarus Methven Cup at Mt Harding racecourse.

The four-year-old Downbytheseaide gelding has put together an impressive record in his short career – winning four and placing four times from his nine appearances. After running a strong fresh up second in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on September 15, Pinseeker tackles today’s assignment in fine fettle according to Cox.

“He’s come through his Hannon run really good. He had a quiet week after that and his work has been good this week,” said Cox.

“It’s a similar type of field to the Hannon. There’s a couple of smart ones there like B D Joe and American Me, and along with the Dunn runners and the Hope runners it makes it an even field and it should be a good race.“

Cox took Pinseeker to a Methven workout on September 28, finishing fourth.

“It was just a quiet workout and a bit of stand start practice. I let him sprint up the last 200m. He felt good.”

Pinseeker is currently a $2.90 favouirte, ahead of B D Joe ($4.60).

Today’s Methven Cup may also be a decisive race for horses on the brink of making the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup field – which will be headed by Australasian superstar Leap To Fame who was successful in last night’s Smoken Up sprint at Melton.

Notably B D Joe for Steve and Amanda Telfer will need to produce a season best performance to turn the heads of the selectors, while the Methven Cup defender American Me will be looking to solidify his spot. He currently sits eleventh in the rankings.

And Pinseeker? Currently 24th in the rankings Cox is in no rush to expose the largely untapped gelding to the highest traverses of racing just yet.

“It’s not really our target. Maybe if something falls our way we might sneak in, but we will just play it by ear.”

Racing commences from 12:20pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand