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Cup On Canterino’s Programme
Matamata stayer Canterino has added winning momentum to a long-range Group target.
The five-year-old posted his third career win over a middle distance at the weekend when he was successful at Ruakaka where he gave the runner-up Celtic Chief seven kilos.
“It was a month between runs for him and he will improve,” co-trainer Peter McKay said. “We’ve got the New Zealand Cup in mind for him.”
The stable enjoyed a good day at Ruakaka on Saturday with track specialist Antonio Lombardo winning for the fourth time on the northern circuit and Puccini made an encouraging return with his minor placing.
Busy Time For Stipes
Stipendiary stewards were kept busy at Ruakaka with three jockeys copping suspensions at Saturday’s meeting.
Apprentice Alyssa Schwerin was handed a five-day ban after she admitted to a charge of careless riding aboard Zuccato, who was relegated from third to fourth in the three-year-old event.
Her mount made contact with Way In about 300 metres from home with Southern Icon and Buffalo Boy also hampered.
Derek Nolan was suspended for four days on a careless riding charge in the Rating 65 staying event while Lee Magorrian was guilty on the same charge in the Rating 65 sprint and was given an identical penalty.
Meanwhile, Marco Chui went from hero to villain at Hastings where he was given a one month suspension for causing the interference that resulted in the fall of Ponderosa Miss, who received serious skull injuries.
Chui had won the previous event on the impressive Stratocaster before his ill-judged action aboard Nigelissima.
Costa Viva On Way Back
Group One winner Costa Viva will head to the Central Districts to open her spring campaign.
The NZB Filly of the Year hasn’t raced since a three-start Queensland winter carnival campaign that was blighted by poor barrier draws.
“We’re looking at trialling her at Cambridge next week and then head down for the Breeders’ Stakes at Hawera,” trainer Jason Bridgman said.
The Gr.3 Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes will be run on October 11.
“She was out in the paddock for three weeks after Brisbane and we resisted the temptation to freshen her and head to Hastings and I’m glad we did,” Bridgman said.
“They’re not machines and there’s some nice fillies’ and mares’ races for her through the spring.”
Last season’s New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner was fourth in the Gr.3 Gold Coast Guineas in her Australian debut before unplaced runs from wide gates in the Gr.2 Queensland Guineas and in the Gr.1 Tatts Tiara.
Success For Showcasing
Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Showcasing has sired his first Group winner following the success of Cappella Sansevero in the Gr.3 Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.
“It’s all systems go for the Middle Park,” trainer Ger Lyons said. ”He’s the right horse to go for it, he’s not ground dependant. He idled in front a bit in the Phoenix and, past the post, he was in front again. That might have been the one that got away.”
The colt had taken the lead 200 metres out in the Gr.1 Phoenix Stakes three weeks ago before finishing third. He had beaten the winner Dick Whittington when the pair had met on their debuts at Dundalk in April.
Kiwi Mare For Mona Lisa
Talented New Zealand mare Neena Rock will make her Australian debut in the Listed $A100,000 Arrowfield Stud Mona Lisa at Wyong next Friday.
John Sargent has booked James McDonald to ride the six-year-old while leading Brisbane jockey Jim Byrne will partner the Randwick trainer’s Queensland Cup winner Iggi Pop in the Listed $A150,000 Wyong Cup (2100m).
After Wyong, Neena Rock will go to the Tibbie Handicap at the Newcastle Cup carnival with Sargent then likely to take her south to Melbourne.
Emirates Eyed For Beauty’s Beast
The Gr.1 Emirates Stakes at the end of the Melbourne spring carnival is a race that has been flagged for Beauty’s Beast.
The former New Zealander is now with Danny O’Brien, who produced the son of Guillotine to win at Monday’s Cranbourne trials.
He said the four-year-old is likely to open his spring campaign at Caulfield on September 20 and, obviously, needed to raise his rating to gain a start in the better races.
"He hasn't done much wrong, we'll start him off in an open handicap and see where we get to," O'Brien said. "He's lightly-raced, he seems to have plenty of upside. If he could get into a good race it would probably be the Emirates."
