Grand galloper Nashville fired a massive warning shot at his Winter Cup rivals with his win in the Amberley Cup at Riccarton on Saturday.
The veteran charged home from off the pace to beat Elfee in the $35,000 feature.
Nashville is not expected to be at his peak until he defends his group 3 $100,000 Winter Cup crown in August. However, the Adrian and Harry Bull-trained galloper was too smart for his rivals despite having to carry 60kg.
Wingatui mare Fascinate heads the South Island’s hopes in the South Island’s premier winter race.
The Canterbury Jockey Club received 48 nominations when entries closed earlier this month.
Easter Stakes winner Fascinate heads is the highest-rated South Islander horse which has attracted a good number of classy North Island gallopers.
Those include Saturday’s winner of the listed Tauranga Classic, the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained New York Minute. Despite racing on a heavy10 track, rather than her preferred heavy 11, she held off her rivals in a tough on-pace performance.
New York Minute ran third in last year’s Winter Cup behind Nashville, but is not certain to return for this year’s running and may instead be aimed at the first leg of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown in September.
Deals In Heels and Tomelilla, who filled the trifecta with their stablemate in Saturday’s race, also hold a Winter Cup nominations. The Bull stable was unable to claim both Saturday’s open handicap features at Riccarton after William Wallace failed to fire. Rider Rosie Myers reported to stewards that the favourite failed to handle the testing track conditions. Instead, the race was left to proven heavy track performer, Zawhip.
The Bevan Wilson-trained mare wore down pacemaker Saber to record her third win from five starts on heavy ground. Wingatui galloper The Man also added to his handy record on heavy tracks when winning on Saturday.
The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained galloper was ridden quietly in behind the pace before angled for his winning run by rider Jacob Lowry. The Man took his record to two wins and three placings on heavy tracks.
