Wellington Cup set to go!

23 January 2009

Wellington Cup set to go!

All eyes turn to Wellington this weekend for the Wellington Cup thoroughbred race meeting with three premier races set to thrill punters tomorrow.

Around 25,000 people are expected to flock to Trentham on what is one of New Zealand racing’s biggest days in terms of attendance and both on-course and off-course TAB turnover. Weather forecasts for Saturday look good with sunshine and a high of 22˚C expected.

The meeting involves the $100,000 Group 3 Stella Artois Desert Gold Stakes (R5) at 2.57pm, the $250,000 Group 1 The Trusts Charitable Foundation Thorndon Mile (R6) at 3.37pm and the $350,000 Group 2 Century City Developments Wellington Cup (R8) at 4.57pm.

The Wellington Cup will be run over a shorter distance of 2400m this year, compared to 3200m in recent years and has drawn a stellar field.

This year’s race will feature top horses such as last year’s winner Young Centaur, who has recorded three placings in his last three starts and is the current favourite with the bookies, opening at Fixed Odds of $7. He will be ridden by top jockey Michael Walker. Second favourite is Katy Keen and Avondale Cup winner Tinseltown at $7.50. The 2007 Wellington Cup winner Willy Smith, who has also shown strong form recently and has drawn barrier two, is at $8.

Other horses to line-up in the field include New Zealand Cup winner Hoorang ($11), who has recorded three wins from her last four starts.

Top jockey Samantha Spratt, who won the $1m Telegraph Handicap last weekend aboard Mufhasa on the first day of the Wellington Cup Carnival, will ride Prince Kaapstad in the Wellington Cup race, which is paying Fixed Odds of $17.

Spratt will also ride the Stephen McKee-trained Culminate in the 1600m Thorndon Mile, who is the trainer of Mufhasa. Culminate is second favourite at $4, just behind the current favourite Vosne Romanee at $3.80. Former winner Sir Slick ($9) ran a great race last week and is right up to a repeat here.

An extra First4 race has also been scheduled at Trentham tomorrow on the Wellington Cup race (R8). This is in addition to the First4 on Race 4 and Race 10 at Trentham.

The weekend starts early tonight with the $31,500 Wellington Greyhound Cup, which will be run at the Hatrick Raceway in Wanganui, featuring the crème de la crème of New Zealand’s dogs. The field includes NZ Cup winner Rockabye Lad, current NZ Derby title holder Turbine Bale and Riddle Man, who is unbeaten is his last five starts.

This weekend of premier racing will be topped off with the Auckland Racing Club meeting at Ellerslie on Sunday, featuring the $1 million Karaka Million for two-year-olds at 7.23pm. The grey filly Katie Lee is current outright favourite to win the race at $3.20.

Top apprentice jockey James McDonald, who is currently second on the Jockey Premiership table just behind Sam Spratt, will be riding the unbeaten Mexican Rose in the 1200m race, which is paying Fixed Odds of $12 while Veldt, which will be ridden by Sam Spratt, is paying $11. Australian horses Optimizing ($7) and Sarge in Charge ($12) bring strong Aussie form and will have to be respected in this 'dash for cash' event.

For the latest odds visit www.tab.co.nz

ENDS

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