As they so often are, Michael and Matthew Pitman’s Riccarton operation promises to be a stable to be reckoned in their home track features on Saturday.
The father and son duo will be represented by the quality pair of Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree)in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) while Epee Beel will appreciate the step up in trip in the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m).
Mystic Park is already a black-type winner on his home turf with victory in the Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) during Cup Week featuring among the son of Ocean Park’s seven wins from 14 outings.
He has since finished midfield in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) and last time out at Riccarton closed off well for fourth.
“He went super the other day after having to go back from the outside gate, his sectional were outstanding,” Michael Pitman said.
“He’s also unbeaten in two runs over 1400m and he gets through the heavy ground.”
Future plans have yet to be confirmed, but a trip across the Tasman is on the table.
“We’ll get through Saturday first, but we could look at Australia. I did think about the Stradbroke (Gr.1, 1200m), but I don’t know if he’d keep up now,” Pitman said.
“As he’s got older the Ocean Park side is starting to kick in, we’ll possibly look at the Winter Series in Melbourne.”
Third Decree won for the ninth time in her career last time out when the daughter of War Decree claimed the thick end of the $350,000 stake in the Southern Alps Challenge (1400m).
“The track won’t hinder her chances at all, she’s got a good record on rain-affected ground. Her record is good no matter what the track conditions are and she’s just a very genuine racehorse,” Pitman said.
“We’ll have a chat about her campaign after Saturday, she’s had a great run and we’ll see what other options are available.”
Gold Cup contender Epee Beel cruised away with the Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) two runs back before she was unplaced in the Southern Alps after an interrupted run.
“Her last run was better than it looked, she got held up until 400m from home,” Pitman said.
“She’s a very good mudlark, only twice has she not been in the money on wet tracks. “In the Kumara Nuggets, she never saw daylight from the 600 onwards and went to the line under a stranglehold and another time she drew one on a heavy track at Dunedin, which was no help.”
