Prince Alby (NZ) (Sacred Falls) has seen plenty of New Zealand this season, but he won’t have to travel far to defend his crown in Saturday’s Kennedy Building Riverton Cup (2147m).
A winner of nine races and more than $300,000 in prizemoney, Prince Alby earned a deserved victory in last year’s local feature, form he continued into the new season finishing fourth in the Listed Metropolitan Handicap (2600m) and third in the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m).
The son of Sacred Falls earned two points in the Southern Cups Bonus Series at Wingatui, which he doubled when finishing third in the Wyndham Cup (2000m).
With limited options leading into Saturday’s contest, his trainer Kelvin Tyler headed north to Trentham, where he completed a two-run campaign with a strong performance into sixth behind Waitak in the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2400m).
“I thought it was a good run, the track was probably a bit good for him really and it was a very tidy field, and he ran home nicely,” Tyler said. “I took him up there as there aren’t many options down here for him, so he went as a mate for Freddie (Time).
“He’s travelled back 100 percent, he’s done a fair bit of travelling now so it doesn’t worry him at all. He had a few days off when he came back and I can’t have him any better, the track looks like it’s going to be nice for him so I couldn’t be happier.
“We’ve had a good frost and a beautiful day today (Wednesday), the forecast looks like it’s going to be pretty similar right up to Saturday so I’m picking the track is going to be in the Heavy8 range.”
Prince Alby is well within striking distance to take out the $50,000 bonus attached to the series, with 10 points on offer to the victor of the Riverton Cup.
Tyler will also be well-represented in the Riverton Rural Transport Francolin Stakes (1400m), with Go Lotte (NZ) (Telperion) and Albatross (NZ) (Sacred Falls) entered in the fillies and mares event.
Go Lotte was a winner two-starts back of the Beaumont Cup (1500m), which she nearly replicated when caught late by Exchange (NZ) (Ghibellines) at Wingatui on March 28.
“She’s the same every day, she loves what she’s doing and set weights is a great option for her, with her rating points,” Tyler said. “She’s coming in quite strongly, especially with a nice claim on her back.”
A six-year-old by Sacred Falls, Albatross is resuming off a spell, having had the best campaign of her career through the winter and spring last year. Tyler hopes to follow a similar route through the softer surfaces this preparation, where she is particularly effective.
“She’s coming up really well, she had a jump-out a couple of weeks ago and the track will suit her,” he said. “She’s a wet tracker so she would struggle on firmer ground.
“She typically has had a few feet issues, but she’s had no problems this time.
“She’ll probably improve with the run and get out over a bit more ground, but I’m happy with her and she’ll run a nice race. We’ll pick out the wet tracks for her going forward, hopefully we can find enough races as we’re a bit restricted with so many on the synthetic track.”