Race 1 : The East West Fencing Handicap Trot (2600m) :
Mark Purdon has opened his account with favourite American Pride winning the first on Cup day. Starting off 20 metres American Pride went round to sit parked outside the pace-setting Cochy Malc before repelling a strong challenge from Springbank Mason and She Reigns, who produced a huge run off the backmark of 30 metres. Purdon had labelled American Pride as his best chance for the day and he delivered with his sixth win in 17 starts. Springbank Mason paid $12.80 for the place, with 16:9:18 trifecta paying $2,035.20. The winning time was 3:17.80. The well favoured Andy Hall missed the start and was never a contender.
Remember to get involved with the Box Seat Punters Club – it’s open till 1pm.
Race 2 : Hydroflow Cup Day Maiden Mobile Pace 1980m.
Rakero Rebel was the favourite but it was the Phil Burrows-trained stablemate Smart Watch who won Race 2. Rakero Rebel (Gavin Smith) was held up turning for home and it was Smart Watch, after making a well timed midrace move, who prevailed for John Dunn, paying $5.50 and $2.30. Rakero Rebel finished fourth behind a very game Azor Ahai (Blair Orange) and Love Lou Longtime (Nathan Williamson). The 12:13:7 trifecta paid $389.30. It was Smart Watch’s second start after a fourth on debut at Ashburton in May.
Race 3: The Box Seat Every Wednesday 9am Handicap trot :
Mark Purdon made it two wins in the opening three races with a win with $14 shot I Dream Of Jeannie, who wore down leader Missalyssa (Blair Orange). I Dream Of Jeanne, trained by Sam Smolenski, equalled the NZ record of 4.04.9 for the 3200 metres. Missalyssa was second and they were streets ahead of the third placed Count Eyre ($12.20). The 5:17:12 trifecta paid $6,279.90. The first four $25,125.90.
The race was not good for the Box Seat Punters Club – they had anchored favourite Harold Smith in quinellas. The starting pool was $110,519. We will update as the afternoon goes on.
Race 4 : Mico Plumbing and Bathrooms Mobile Pace
It’s Mark Purdon again, with his third win in the first four races with Always Have Faith beating stable-mate Cyrus. Cyrus was the favourite for Natalie Rasmussen and was parked outside the pace-setting Pembrook’s Destiny. But it was Always Have Faith who loomed on the home turn, going on to win his second race in four starts. Always Have Faith paid $6.10 and $1.90, Cyrus $1.60 and Mighty Reactor was third ($7.40). The time for the 1980m was 2:24.5.
The Box Seat Punting Club had wagered $5000 on Cyrus. The balance is currently $100,519. The starting pool was $110,519.
Race 5 : Dunstan Horse Feeds Junior FFA Mobile Pace (Grp3)
Krug is back! Disappointing from the stand in his last two starts the return to the mobile was critical for the star colt as Blair Orange went straight to the lead from the outside of the gate and then was never really in danger. It was number 15 from 28 starts. Need You Now ($4.10) was an eye catching second for John Dunn with Shan Noble third. Krug paid $1.50 and $1.30 with the 8:7:3 trifecta paying $24.90. The winning time was 3:08.20.
There was no luck for the Punters Club. They had $5000 quinellas with Krug and Taipo and Shan Noble. The balance now is $75,519, though they are still live with three multis that had Krug as the anchor.
They are : R5 Krug, R7 Bolt For Brilliance, R8 Franco Indie return $29,325
R5 Krug, R8 Franco Indie, R12 Dashing Major $31,875
R5 Krug R7 Bolt For Brilliance R8 Franco Indie, R12 Dashing Major $73,312
Race 6 : Garrards Horse And Hound Mobile Pace – 1980m
With win number four for the afternoon Mark Purdon has done it again – this time with the plunge horse It’s All About Faith. After opening at $12 the horse was backed into $4 second favouritism and Purdon took the son of Captaintreacherous into the lead and he then dominated. It was his seventh win in 20 starts. Favourite Deny Everything disappointed, with Heza Sport second, and Alta Wiseguy third. The 9:6:10 trifecta paid $132.60.
Race 7 : Livamol Trotting FFA (Grp 1)
Mark Purdon’s incredible Cup day has continued in the Group One Livamol Trotting Free For All. He’s now co-trained three winners (with Hayden Cullen) and driven five winners from the first 7 races! He bided his time with Oscar Bonavena as Majestic Man went to the lead as expected. Bolt For Brilliance, the favourite, sat parked but they had no answers when Oscar Bonavena upped the ante as he cleared out to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Oscar Bonavena paid $3.30 and $1.20. The 7:3:6 trifecta paid $16.60. The winning time was 2:24.80.
