Striking Riverton galloper Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) proved he is right up to the South Island’s top open-class stayers with an all-the-way win in Saturday’s Seaton Family Hororata Gold Cup (1800m) at Riccarton Park.
The son of Pure Champion appeared last Sunday at Wingatui to finish fourth in the Beaumont Cup (1500m), and it was only a last-minute decision by Graham Eade and Brooke Kincaid to travel to Riccarton Park this week to take on the $50,000 contest.
Carrying just 54kg under Jasmine Fawcett, Riviera Rebel closed a $4.50 favourite and showed his customary early speed from the barriers, crossing from a wide draw to sit outside of Master Marko. After racing keenly, Fawcett allowed the gelding to slide up and take the outright lead, where he dropped the bit and dictated a good tempo.
Master Marko came away from the rail and the pair drew level turning for home, but Riviera Rebel skipped clear at the 200m, holding out the charge of a game Elegant Lady to take the Cup by three quarters of a length.
Eade was thrilled with the result, which continued a long history of success campaigning his horses at the Christchurch venue.
“I thought he went really well, I didn’t know if I had enough work into him because he raced last Sunday at Wingatui then had a couple of days off, then we decided to come up here as a last thought,” Eade said. “We’re very pleased.
“I told Jasmine to put him in behind the leaders, and if he settled, let him stay there. He obviously didn’t settle until he pulled his way to the front, but it was a very good ride by her.
“It’s a long trip up, eight hours from home, but Riccarton has been very good to me. I had a good horse called Comanche Gold, he won six up there through travelling up and down, and Riviera Rock also won a couple.”
The victory opens up a number of doors for Riviera Rebel, with a return trip to Riccarton Park for the $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) or Gr.3 Coca Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) both on the table.
“We’re looking at the Canterbury Gold Cup, but we’ve got one or two options to decide on,” Eade said. “There is the Southern Alps over a mile, or just going straight into the Riverton Cup, which I’ve never won before so we were going to have a go at that.
“We’ll have to do some thinking now.”
A winner of five from 21 starts and just shy of $150,000 in stakes earnings, Riviera Rebel was bred by Philip Jeffreys, who races the gelding alongside Eade and his wife Pat. He is the first foal out of a Jimmy Choux mare Chambon, who won two races over 1400m.
“All my good horses have come from there, both Comanche Gold and La Nouvelle Vague, who holds the New Zealand record over 2600. Riviera Rock also, and now this fella,” Eade said.
“I’ve had a pretty good run with Phillip.”
