Sushi Sushi boosted his chance for the New Zealand Cup when he won the Kaikoura Cup in race record time yesterday.
Sushi Sushi ran the 2400m from a standing start in 2.55.5 which lowered the previous best of 2.57.8 set by Master Musician in 1992 and equalled by Il Vicolo in 1996.
The New Zealand record is 2.55.1 set by Flashing Red in the 2006 Ashburton Flying Stakes.
Flashing Red won the New Zealand Cup the same year, the first of his two wins in that race.
It was the first win for Sushi Sushi in four starts since he joined the Rolleston stable of Mark Purdon this season. The Art Major gelding has now won 26 of his 42 starts and $1,182,080 in stakes.
Sushi Sushi was given the run of the race by Natalie Rasmussen behind pacemaker and stablemate Major Mark and came along the passing lane. He won by two lengths from Major Mark with half a length to another stablemate, Fly Like And Eagle, who ran on well after a tangle at the start.
Sushi Sushi ran his last 800m in 56.6 and 400 in 27.6.
It was the fifth training success in a Kaikoura Cup for Purdon. He has also won the race with Il Vicolo, (1995 and 96), Sharp And Telford (1997) and Bogan Fella (2000).
Il Vicolo carried on to win the New Zealand Cup in the same years, one of three Kaikoura Cup winners to succeed in both races. The others are Trusty Scot (1978) and Humphrey (1968).
Trainer Steven Reid says Gold Ace will be fit to start on Friday night after a hoof problem.
