Racing: Auckland Cup next target

John Sargent will give Passchendaele an easy time over Christmas despite her scoring an embarrassing victory in the $100,0000 (Group Two) Waikato Cup at Te Rapa yesterday.

The 4-year-old mare was having her ninth start and showed a total lack of respect for her more experienced rivals, reeling in the leaders with ease at the top of the home stretch.

In-form jockey Mark Du Plessis has not had an easier ride in a Group-rated event as Passchendaele settled perfectly one off the fence close to the leaders and lengthened stride with ease when asked to sprint.

Matamata-based Sargent will bypass the $125,000 (Group Two) City Of Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on January 1 and instead set her for the $1 million Auckland Cup on March 10.

"She's got a fine turn of foot for a lovely staying mare and we'll now set for the Auckland Cup in March," said Sargent.

"It was a lovely ride from Mark to get her home today and it's fantastic getting the victory as there's always a little bit of pressure on when you're lining up a favourite in one of these Cups races."

Passchendaele was hooked out three and four wide on the home turn by Du Plessis and strode quickly to the lead. She was eased down at the finish to score by 2 lengths over Minqar Qaim.

A further 1 lengths away third was Fairfield Flame.

From five starts this campaign Passchendaele has scored four wins and one second.

REJUVENATED SPRINTER Run Like Al completed an impressive hat-trick of victories when taking the $45,000 (Listed) feature sprint.

Run Like Al has returned to winning glory since joining the Waiuku stable of Jakki Good.

The 5-year-old was slow away yesterday and settled back in the field with regular jockey Sam Spratt saving ground against the inside running rail.

Spratt found room in the home straight kicking Run Like Al along the inside to win by a head over Barinka with a further short neck back to Latika.

The victory was a gallant performance from the 5-year-old considering he had to carry the top weight of 57kg.

One runner to catch the eye was the fifth placed Red Ruler, returning after a disappointing campaign in Melbourne.

OUTSTANDING Katie Lee was narrowly beaten by Veronica Franco on an indifferent track in the $70,000 (Group Three) Eulogy Stakes at Awapuni.

Katie Lee raced closer to the speed than she has and pounced on the leaders at the top of the home stretch but had to bow to the superior late sprint of Veronica Franco, going down by a half-neck. A further two lengths away third was Adulterer.

Veronica Franco has been in splendid form recently for Cambridge-based trainers Roger James and Paul Mirabelli scoring three wins and two minor placings from six starts.

Katie Lee was far from disgraced with a pleasing hit out following victories at Riccarton during Cup Week.

Expect a fitter and sharper Katie Lee to parade at Ellerslie on Boxing Day in the $100,000 (Group Two) Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic.

EKSTREME was impressive when completing back-to-back victories showing her stamina and heart to score a gallant victory in the $85,000 (Group Two) Cal Isuzu Stakes.

This followed an effortless victory in last Saturday's (Group One) Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham.

Ekstreme tracked the favourite Ruud Van Slaats forward three wide on the home turn and quickly mastered this runner fighting off the determined late challenge from Dancing Jess to score an impressive win.

Veloce Bella caught the eye storming home out wide to finish third after racing in last place throughout.