Strike-rate trainer Allan McVicar has the chance to accomplish a career highlight in tomorrow’s Riverton Cup at Ascot Park.
Though his record is enviable and he has not been without a handy horse to do it, McVicar is yet to place a Country Cup trophy on his mantelpiece.
With the progressive It Ain’t The Money in his barn, the trainer looks at short odds to do that this season.
With staying power and good manners on his side, the progressive four-win horse looks to have a country cup at his mercy before the end of July.
"I have never ever won a country cup and I would love to pick one up if I can," McVicar said.
It Ain’t The Money comes into tomorrow’s race off the back of a solid run for fourth in last weekend’s Tuapeka Cup.The Brett Grey-trained Young Conqueror grabbed third placing from the gelding in the shadows of the post at Forbury Park.
Though he was run down in the straight, the effort pleased his trainer.
"He went pretty well," McVicar said.
"He was sort of flat all of the way, but he stuck to it.
"I was not too disappointed; it was the first time he has had a go at better company like that."
The pair will line up among the top bracket of contenders for tomorrow’s feature beside Nigel McGrath-trained stablemates Maverick and My Wee Man. What could help It Ain’t The Money is his Ascot Park record, which stands at five starts for three wins and a placing.
"I think it is just the way things have worked out. He is a pretty good pacer so I don’t think it would worry him what track he went to," Mc Vicar said.
My Wee Man and Maverick come into tomorrow’s race off contrasting last-start efforts.
My Wee Man dominated an easier field when winning at Ascot Park last weekend, while Maverick failed to flatter in a much stronger Methven Cup line-up featuring Titan Banner.
Tomorrow’s feature trot gives backmarker Father Christmas an ideal opportunity to strike winning form.
The trotter resumed with a fourth placing at Gore last month behind Smokey Mac, Poppymalda and Alderbeck.
• Smart colt Sensei will tune up for this month’s Two Thousand Guineas to be run at Motukarara tomorrow. The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained 3yr-old was no match for Prom Queen in group 3 company at Ashburton two weeks ago. Though beaten into second, he had the rest of a smart field covered by three lengths.
Sensei takes on a 10-horse line-up in race 5 that includes last-start Riccarton winner Tiffany’s Tim and the resuming Onemorewhiskey.
Tomorrow’s meeting also features the Banks Peninsula Cup over 2200m, where top-weight Kaharau takes on lightweight hopes Son Of Zac, Kings Pal and Dee And Gee.
