Sunday’s Wyndham Cup (2000m) at Gore is the penultimate race in the Southern Cups Bonus Series, with Ascot Park trainer Robert Dennis holding pole position at the moment with his mare Loftys Gift.
The six-year-old daughter of Ghibellines put herself three points ahead of her nearest rival with victory in last Saturday’s Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui, and she is in line to try and secure the $50,000 bonus in next month’s Riverton Cup (2147m).
“We have been winning a few races, so it is nice to get a black-type win for the season, and for the owners too,” Dennis said.
“She has flown through the race, which is really pleasing.
“At this stage, we are going to look to run in the Breeders’ Stakes (Group 3, 1600m) at Riccarton before heading to the Riverton Cup. They were on a Heavy8 this week (at Riccarton) and if she struck a heavy track, I think she will be very competitive over a mile at set weights and penalties.
“A $50,000 bonus, winner takes all for the owners, is highly motivating to carry on from here and try to win the Riverton Cup.”
Dennis will aim to gain some valuable series points this weekend with three other runners, including Sacred Dream, Stolen Magic, and Vino Valentino.
“Things didn’t go right for Sacred Dream in the Invercargill Cup,” Dennis said.
“She is dropping back to 2000m and has drawn barrier one. The track and distance she has won at in the same meeting last year, and I would expect to see an improved performance from her. She might be better with a bit of a freshen-up after the race too, we will just see how she goes on Sunday.
“Stolen Magic has come a long way this preparation. She was only a maidener about four months ago. She has won three races now, but she is probably looking for the paddock fairly soon too, so this could be one last roll at the dice for her. If she can hold her form from the Invercargill Cup, I would imagine she would be hard to beat.
“Vino Valentino was pretty disappointing last start after a really good run first-up. Hopefully it’s a little bit of second-up syndrome there and we are looking to see her bounce back on Sunday.”
Dennis is also looking forward to lining up Xrated in the Pine Bush Cup (2000m).
“She should be a good chance again,” he said.
“She doesn’t help herself being a bit awkward out of the gates at times. She won at this track and distance at the start of February, and it doesn’t look an overly strong field.
“She is a real stayer, she just needs to be able to get out at the right time and hopefully put the pressure on them early in the race and outstay them.”
Stablemate The Bright One has been knocking on the door, placing in her last three starts, and will be out to break through for her maiden win in the K2 Kontracting & Bridgestone Gore (1335m).
“She has got plenty of ability and talent, just lacks ringcraft,” Dennis said.
“I think it is a good thing that she hasn’t won because she has given herself the chance to learn and pick-up a bit of ringcraft in maiden company.
“We have got the blinkers on and pre-race ear covers too just to help settle her a touch. She should be a really good chance.”
Meanwhile, Dennis is looking forward to welcoming three new acquisitions to his barn in the coming weeks after being active on Gavelhouse.com’s auction on Monday night.
The southern horseman has had a fair bit of success with graduates of the online platform, headed by Group 3 winner Out Of The Park.
“Friends of mine, Jack Stewart and Mike Rennie, bought Out Of The Park off there for about $14,000,” Dennis said.
“We gave her seven starts and she won four of them, including a Group Three (South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m), and broke a track record.
“I bought three horses on Gavelhouse on Monday night, adding more strength to our racing team, and we have got shares available.”
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