Winton galloper Theoden holds a strong record at Ascot Park, and trainer Leda Beck is hoping that continues on Sunday, with an eye towards the Riverton Cup (2147m) in a fortnight where the Southern Cups bonus is on the line.
The six-year-old son of Proisir sits within range of securing the $50,000 winner-takes-all bonus, with 10 points up for grabs for the winner of the Riverton Cup, and Theoden is just five points in arrears of series leader Lofty’s Gift.
Beck will use Sunday’s Ascot Sports Bar Handicap (2225m) as a fitness run for her gelding, and she is hoping he can continue his golden run of form at the venue, with Theoden having had six starts at the Southland track for a win and five placings.
Theoden will be joined in Sunday’s race by stablemate Par Tee, who is also an outside chance of securing the Southern Cups bonus at Riverton.
“They are going to have a run before they head to Riverton. If they go well that would be great and I am thinking Theoden wants to run in the top two,” Beck said.
Beck will head to Ascot Park with four other runners, including debutant Aozora Note in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m), Amalfi Coast in the Northern Sports Bar & TAB Handicap (2225m), Firoden in the Waxy’s Irish Pub Handicap (1600m), and Leisure Dollar in the Our Dad Is Still Funny 10 Years On (1400m).
“They have all trialled pretty well,” Beck said.
“Aozora Note is a nice three-year-old filly will be a nice horse next year.
“With Amalfi Coast, it was a shame there wasn’t a mile, it would have been nice to kick-off over a mile. She is an out-and-out stayer.
“Firoden is my daughter’s horse, so he is just going around and any money is a bonus. He has gone down a massive grade and he is more than capable of running in the money.
“Leisure Dollar is the one whose raceday manners might let him down a little bit. He is straight fresh with no trials or anything. He can gallop but everything has to go right for him.”
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