Cambridge trainer Sam Mynott has enjoyed her first New Zealand Cup Week with stable star Imwonderfultonight and is hoping she can finish it with a bang at Riccarton on Saturday.
“I have stayed with her the whole time and it has been great. I haven’t done Cup Week before, it has been a great time,” Mynott said.
“We were at Riccarton yesterday (Wednesday) and it was a great day, so I am sure Saturday will be even bigger with the Cup on.”
Imwonderfultonight was a beaten favourite on the first day of the carnival when fourth behind Not Guilty in the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1200m), and while disappointed with the result, Mynott was satisfied with her run.
“It was pretty hard to watch down the straight but she ran really well, it was just unfortunate that she didn’t get the splits early. At least she showed that she can be up there and be in the finish,” she said.
“She has come through it perfectly. She has been really happy in her work and eating well. She is going well heading into Saturday.”
The daughter of I Am Invincible has drawn barrier six for the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m) and this time Mynott is hoping she can justify her favourite’s tag, sitting at the top of the TAB market at $4.50.
“I am really happy with that barrier, we should be able to get a nice run behind the leaders and hopefully not get trapped down on the rail,” she said.
Imwonderfultonight is raced by Ben Kwok and Windsor Park Stud and Mynott is looking forward to lining up another representative for the former at Tauranga on Saturday.
Three-year-old filly Aquilifer was a dominant 3-3/4 length victor on debut at Wanganui earlier this month and will look to continue her winning ways in the O’Connor Warren Insurance Brokers Handicap (1200m).
“The filly won really nicely on debut and she has trained on pretty well, so it will be nice to see what she can do on Saturday,” Mynott said.
“We always really liked her but we took our time. She can be a bit hot, but she is really coming into her own this season.”
Stakes targets could await Aquilifer following Saturday, with Mynott contemplating a return to Wanganui next month for the Listed The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m).
“There is a Listed three-year-old fillies race at Wanganui on the second of December so if she runs well this Saturday that is where we will probably head with her,” Mynott said.
