Racing: Counties main target

The $100,000 Counties Cup is the main spring target for Don't Ya Lovett after he handed Taranaki trainer, Allan Sharrock, his second successive win in the Winter Cup at Riccarton Park.

"He will go to Hastings but the Counties Cup [November 19] is the main aim. There is usually still some cut in the ground by that time and it is a race that will suit him."

Sharrock produced Go Thenaki to win last year's race.

While Don't Ya Lovett won easily in the end to mark a sharp day's work for rider Leith Innes after his return from Hong Kong, Sharrock had his moments midweek with the $32,000 yearling purchase.

"We had a problem after he got into a fence before the Opunake Cup and the leg opened up again during the week. It was touch and go for a while if he got to the post," said Sharrock whose stable has built up an impressive list of wins at Riccarton winter meetings in recent years.

Don't Ya Lovett was aided by a strong pace on Saturday from Bejayjay who tried to steal the race in front. The time was seven seconds faster than Go Thenaki ran last year and the fourth fastest since the new track was formed in 1997.

Star O'The Ball fought on best against a dominating winner with Woodbury Lane mounting a big late run for fourth.

Innes posted two other wins, both for Levin trainer, Peter McKenzie, who was back home yesterday plotting to make an impression in Australia with Sculptor and Miles.

"I was going to race Miles in the Winter Classic on the last day but I think I will head toward the Metropolitan in Sydney [October 1] and he needs to win a race in Australia to qualify for that on stakes won," McKenzie said.

"Empyreal is aimed at the same race but Miles is an exciting prospect and I think he is ready for a step up now.

"Leith said he was going double at the top of the straight and the jockeys around him even couldn't believe it," McKenzie said.

Sculptor who ran down the fresh hot favourite Kelantan in the 3-year-old race is pointed toward the Spring Champion Stakes in Sydney.

Innes will be in New Zealand at least until the autumn - a possible return to Hong Kong would always make strong appeal - but he will not be chasing around the country to try to break Lisa Cropp's riding record. Innes, who had the best strike rate among all of the top riders last season, intends to opt for quality and stakes winnings over quantity.

One day he may have to look over his shoulder at Lee Callaway a young ap prentice who made a big impression. He won two for the Jim Campin/ Mark Fraser-Campin stable with Del Toro and Texas in his first visit to Riccarton Park. Kelly Myers also posted a win on her first day at Riccarton Park, on 63-1 shot Quantum Classic in the first leg of Pick6. She also rode Balmuse when he was run down by Baltaine in the open 1200m but not disgraced.

- NZPA