My Scotsgrey Favourite For NZ Cup
- Sunday, 08 November 2009 07:30
My Scotsgrey is the commanding favourite for the New Zealand Cup after his gritty win in the Group Three Gold Club Metropolitan Trophy.
The Group Three New Zealand Cup at Riccarton on Saturday is one of a handful of races in Australasia still run over the Melbourne Cup distance of 3200 metres.
My Scotsgrey, who finished seventh in last year's Victoria Derby, beat a game Zabene by half a length with three-quarters of a length back to Smoking Chimneys in Saturday's lead-up.
Shaune Ritchie, who trains My Scotsgrey, said the four year old had benefited from beach work at trotting trainers David and Catherine Butt's base at Woodend, Christchurch.
My Scotsgrey was the $3.50 favourite with the NZ TAB today, with the John Sargent-trained So Royal and Butch James at $7 and Smoking Chimneys ($8) who ran on well for third in the same race.
"I only have one qualm about the two miles - I wonder if it is long enough," Ritchie said.
"He is a deadset genuine old Kiwi stayer."
Zabene, who was a game second to My Scotsgrey, was at $12 for the Cup.
Jockey Leith Innes used his initiative to hunt My Scotsgrey up on the pace and he was just too strong in the end.
"Leith said he wanted to get around them early because he knew he would keep finding the line."
NZPA WGT
