By Mac Henry
Costa Del Magnifico has a winning time for 3200 metres faster than any of his opponents in Saturday’s $32,000 group three Invercargill Cup.
All else being equal he’ll have less distance to cover during the race than any of them, and because he lives just over the fence from Ascot Park he’ll cover less distance than any of them just getting to the races.
In theory, he is the horse to beat so how does trainer Brent Shirley assess his chances, and how do opposing trainers assess theirs?
One of five top southern four years olds in the nine horse field, Costa Del Magnifico goes from one of the front and in his only try at 3200 metres, won the Winton Cup in 3:59.8.
“He has trained very well and is as fit as he can be,” Shirley said, “as a rule he steps cleanly, there are a few quick steppers, we’ll know in the first 50 metres where he’ll be positioned. He’s capable of running time so it will come down to what sort of trip he gets and the others get.”
Devil May Care goes from two off the front. He has started seven times at 3200 metres, been second twice at Winton, third in the past two Tuapeka Cups, and had three misses including eighth in last year’s Invercargill feature. Devil May Care’s best time for the trip was 4:00.2 when second to Costa Del Magnifico in December.
His trainer driver Hamish Hunter, who was on Franco Ledger when he won the 2013 Cup in 3:58.7, said Devil May Care has had various troubles through his career but is currently as sound this campaign as he’s ever been.
“He’s raced well all season,” Hunter said, “he stepped up a notch last time (in the group three Central Otago Cup) and went well, it was a tough field, he’s done well since. He likes a sit, you drive him cold and look to run home.”
I’m Full Of Excuses starts from one on the 10 metre mark. He clocked 4:02.5 when a beaten fifth at Winton in December in is one attempt at the trip. Trainer and driver Clark Barron said he had a hard run without cover that day, pulled and just battled.
At his best though, he can be right in it.
“He’s a well-horse in form, his stand start is still a work in progress but getting better,” Barron said. “I’ve got no plan for the race except to get a good possie. Its a pretty good field and they’ll run along. I won’t know for sure until after whether he’ll stay but expect he will.”
Tas Man Bromac from two off the 10 metre mark is the only runner trying 3200 metres for the first time but his trainer and driver Nathan Williamson is not too concerned.
“Two miles is an unknown but I think it will suit him, he’s such a relaxed easy going sort,” he said. “He’s well and very fit, I’ll have no excuses, if he’s good enough he’s good enough. He’s only had 16 starts so will get a bit more savvy yet but he is pretty versatile.”
One of Tas Man Bromac’s strengths is his ability from the stand. From 10 tries, he’s won nine and finished third in the other, to Pulp Fiction and I’m Full Of Excuses in December’s Gore Cup.
Titan Banner, one of two Otago runners in the event both trained by Graeme Anderson, has drawn the inside of the 20 metre line. He has started once at 3200 metres, winning the Tuapeka Cup in 4:01.4.
“I’m hoping he goes away, he’ll have the hopple shorteners on,” Anderson said, “he’s had no luck his last two. He galloped away at Cromwell and Clark (Barron on I’m Full Of Excuses) got away on us at Invercargill. He seems bright and well, Rory
McIlwrick will drive him, he’s had two drives on him for two wins.”
Titan Banner will race without blinds this week. Anderson said it’s not a major but he hopes the open bridle contributes to him concentrating a bit more.
Pulp Fiction goes from two off 20 metres. His one go at 3200 metres was in last year’s Wyndham Cup. He finished third off the front in 4:19.2 and trainer Tony Stratford recalls a very wet track, they walked the sprinted the closing 800 in 57.2, and Pulp
Fiction jumped a puddle in the straight.
“All’s well with him, I can’t see 3200 meres being a problem and he’s good from a stand,” Stratford said. “He’ll have sliding blinds, that’s Dexter’s call, he said he started to loaf coming up the straight when he was well clear at Gore.”
Cullect A Guinness is the only Cantabrian in the field and the Robert Dunn-trained five year old will be running over 3200 metres on an all weather track for the first time. He ran the trip twice on the grass at Christmas time, winning the Westport Cup
in 4:09.4 and finishing third at Reefton in 4:07.3. Cullect A Guinness, twice a winner over 3000 metres at Oamaru, has the unruly-one draw from 30 metres.
“That was an excellent time at Reefton,” Dunn said, “he’s a lovely horse and a very good stayer, he finds the line even when he’s not threatening. He hasn’t had many starts so it will be hard off 30, its a real good field so a big ask on a turning track. A
small track is not his forte, he’s better on bigger tracks.”
Tony Barron trains Quick As A Trick who ran fifth in the race last year in 4:06.2. He has won over 3200 metres on the grass at Waikouaiti in 4:17.7 and been fourth at Addington. His record at 3000 metres is also good being a win at Oamaru, second
at Methven, third at Waimate and sixth at Hororata. Quick As A Trick has the unruly-two draw from 30 metres on Saturday.
“If they go hard it will suit,” Barron said, “he likes to sit on a very good speed. It’ll be hard off 30 metres but I’m very happy with him, I couldn’t have him better. He’s under-estimated, he’s got a very good record.”
Back-marker off 50 metres is Anderson’s second representative, Belkmyster. From 40 behind last year, Belkmyster finished second in 4:02.5. His best result in five goes at 3200 metres was a win in the 2014 Winton Businesses Cup in 4:06.0 but his
best time, 3:59.3 came in last year’s Easter Cup.
“He’s good but from 50 metres it’s virtually impossible,” Anderson said, “if he begins quickly he’ll probably try and pinch a few places and then not go round them. Its a stronger field this year.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
