Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman has a soft spot for five-win gelding Star Ballot and believes he is capable of contesting the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) on his home track in November.
The five-year-old son of Tarzino was a last start victor over 2600m at the Christchurch track and will be looking to end his preparation on a high when he returns to the venue on Saturday to tackle the Hornby Club Founders Cup (2600m).
“I said to his owners way back in February that this would be an ideal race for him,” said Pitman, who trains in partnership with his son Matthew.
“The only thing is I can’t believe that rating 73 is the highest rated horse in the race, which means he has to carry 60kg. I thought he would get in at a good weight, but he is the highest rated horse in the race, that is why he has to carry it.”
The five-year-old gelding has won two races this preparation and Pitman said he will likely head for a spell after his weekend assignment in preparation for what could be an exciting spring campaign.
“He will probably go out for a spell,” he said.
“If he wins this race, the obvious race for him is the New Zealand Cup. He is a lovely horse, he is probably my favourite horse, he has got real stamina.”
The Riccarton track was rated a Soft 5 on Friday morning and Pitman said that will favour Star Ballot over his stablemate Tomyturbo, who he will meet once again in the 2600m contest.
Star Ballot got the better of Tomyturbo at Riccarton last start, with the latter having won his two prior starts, and Pitman is expecting a similar result this weekend.
“Tomyturbo meets the other horse two-killos better off,” he said.
“I think the improving track conditions will help Star Ballot more than Tomyturbo. Star Ballot prefers a Good track and won in spite of the track last start, not because of it. and Tomyturbo put in a huge run, but he is probably better off on a damper track.”
While Pitman believes Star Ballot is the better winning chance on Saturday, bookmakers can’t split the pair, with the duo joint $2.80 favourites.
Later on the card, Charbano will attempt to add another Cup to the trainers’ haul when he competes in the Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m).
The son of Vespa was victorious two starts back before running sixth behind Matscot in the $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m), and Pitman is hopeful for an improved result on Saturday.
“He went well the other day. He made a big run out wide,” he said.
“It is a strong field and Harlech will be hard to beat, but he deserves a crack at it, he has got a good at Riccarton and the distance. He is a lightweight chance.”
Pitman is looking to end the meeting on a high when promising three-year-old Ocean Light contests the Rohan Mudhoo Trust Fundraiser Rating 65 (2000m), for which he is a $4.80 favourite with bookmakers.
“He went massive in his last start,” Pitman said.
“He is only a three-year-old and you have always got that in the back of your mind, but he is a lovely staying horse and he is a typical Ocean Park, he will only improve with time. I have put Lisa Allpress on tomorrow and if he gets the right run, he should be really hard to beat.”
Horse racing news
