South Coast Arden to miss Flying Stakes

A one-day setback has cost South Coast Arden his spot in Monday’s Flying Stakes at Ashburton but it shouldn’t affect his IRT New Zealand Cup campaign.

South Coast Arden has had a rollercoaster week, starting with being first past the post in the open pace at Addington last Friday only to quite rightly lose the race in the inquiry room for drifting up the track.

He was then going to be a surprise entry for the Flying Stakes at Ashburton on Monday until he suffered a temperature spike on Tuesday.

“He wasn’t much but it was acceptance day and we didn’t know if he was going to be fine so we pulled him out as a precaution after talking to Mango (trainer, Brent Mangos),” said caretaker trainer Natalie Rasmussen.

“But he is back to normal now so it was only a one day thing and he will head to the Kaikoura Cup at Addington.”

South Coast Arden is the $3 second favourite for the New Zealand Cup on November 9, with defending champion Self Assured the $2.10 top elect with the TAB and Copy That, who faces a 30m handicap at Alexandra Park on Friday, the $5 third favourite.

On Monday Self Assured will start a short-priced favourite in a quality field that includes Classie Brigade, Pembrook Playboy, Henry Hubert and gun three-year-old Krug.

by Michael Guerin