IRT New Zealand Cup day at Addington – Race by Race
Race 1 : SAUNDERS ROBINSON BROWN HANDICAP TROT
The opening race of the day and a trot over 3200m is always a tricky proposition. Masterly started a very warm order ($2.50) but broke at the start and played no significant part, with punters rocked by Cody Banner making a big move at the 600m and going to win by trainer Ricky Allen and driver Matty Williamson. He paid $41.20 and $14.40. Zsa Zoe and Muscle Bank completed a $38,416.80 trifecta. It was Cody Banner’s ninth win in his 98th start.
Race 2 : HYDROFLOW MOBILE PACE
Favourite backers were rewarded in the second with Charlie Brown producing a big finish to pip a very game Fernetti and Jolimont who ripped home out wide to get third. Carrero Rapido and then stablemate Luvstruck led the field only for Fernetti and Charlie Brown to make their moves, with Charlie Brown, driven by John Dunn, securing his fifth win in 28 starts. Charlie Brown paid $3.50, with Fernetti paying $4.70 for the place.
Race 3 : MITRE 10 HANDICAP TROT
The country’s top driver Blair Orange opened his account on IRT New Zealand Cup day when he took out race 3 with a powerful front-running drive with the Paul Nairn-trained Outamyway. Stablemate Confessional started a warm favourite but galloped while in the trail with a lap to go. Outamyway just kept trucking out in the lead with Unico Vacanza and Andy Hall trying hard to peg him back but having to settle for second and third. It was the dual-gaited Outamyway’s seventh trotting win in 41 starts. Outamyway paid $5.90 for the win.
Race 4 : GARRARD’S PACE
Paying $75.90 and $13.60 Kingsdown Atom took out race 4 for trainer-driver John Morrison, his first training success on racing’s biggest day. It was a messy race with favourite Mandalay Bay prompting a squirmish mid race. Through it all Kingsdown Atom was able to get a nice run into the race and used the passing lane to get the honours. It was Kingsdown Atom’s eighth win in 107 starts. An inquiry was held with 4th Shepherd’s Delight vs 2nd Mandalay Bay but there was no change to places.
Race 5 : TAB JUNIOR FREE-FOR-ALL MOBILE PACE (G3)
With win 11 from 13 starts Don’t Stop Dreaming justified his favouritism with a powerhouse win. Drawn awkwardly, the Bettor’s Delight three-year-old caused a few ripples through Addington when he bobbled momentarily soon after the start but driver Mark Purdon steadied him before heading to the front. From there it was game over with Cya Art finishing strongly into second and Merlin back in a very distant third place. Don’t Stop Dreaming paid $2 for the win.
Race 6 : K B ELECTRICS MOBILE PACE
Mark Purdon went back to back with Franco Indie producing a telling burst to win race 6. Wag Star was the all the rage and led early from his wide draw before Coney Island Lou took over, putting Wag Star into the trail. But the fave couldn’t capitalise as Franco Indie got an economical run back on the fence before making his move. It was number 7 (from 23 starts). He paid $10.80 for the win. Wag Star held on for second, ahead of Sooner The Bettor.
Race 7 : NEVELE R ’50 YEARS OF SUCCESS’ FNL MBL PACE (G1)
The first of the day’s Group 1s with Millwood Nike, a $2 favourite, gunning for win number 16 in a row, against another unbeaten filly in Mantra Blue. In the end it was just another romp for the super filly as Mark Purdon made it three wins in a row for the afternoon. At one stage Millwood Nike was four wide but never looked in danger as she powered past her rivals to win comfortably. It was a one impressive performance! Mantra Blue was second, ahead of Advance Party, paying $11.80 for the place.
Race 8 : HORNBY LIQUOR CENTRE WORTHY QUEEN HCP TROT (G3)
Rowe Cup winner Love N The Port looked like a sure thing as soon as he got to the lead mid race. And that’s how it turned out as Matty Williamson rated his horse perfectly out front. Resolve charged home for second with I Dream Of Jeannie third. It was trainer Phil Willliamson’s second success in the race in as many years after winning with Majestic Man last year.
