Racing: Cup hopes kept alive

Upset Trentham Stakes winner Ebony Honor had esteemed company in needing to perform at the weekend to keep his Wellington Cup hopes alive.

Waverley trainer John Boon admits last year's 3200m winner Cluden Creek salvaged a defence of his crown with his close-up third, just a half a neck and a short neck from the winner.

It was easily Cluden Creek's best run since winning the Wanganui Cup on November 27, giving Boon late hope for a repeat peformance next Saturday.

"I was definitely considering pulling him out the way he'd been going," said Boon. "But after the Trentham Stakes we can go into the Cup now with more confidence."

Boon can't pinpoint a single reason for the six-year-old's form slump since Wanganui, a streak that ended his Auckland Cup hopes.

"I just think it's because he's more of a thinking machine now. Everything's got to be right for him now, if it's not, he just won't put in."

That's why Boon changed everything he could think of after Cluden Creek failed so badly in the Marton Cup, the race he won on the way to Trentham glory last year.

Out went the blinkers, nasal strip, tongue-tie and even regular jockey David Walker, who was replaced by Cup rider Hayden Tinsley.

"David did nothing wrong, we just wanted to change everything."

Boon hopes to see Tinsley post Cluden Creek back on the speed again next Saturday and well away from the rail which he detests so much.

Ebony Honor's win at the weekend for Lisa Cropp was his first since November 2000.

TAB bookies reacted by slashing the cup price for the most experienced two-miler in the field to $17 yesterday.

Trentham Stakes runner-up Justine Coup won even more fans by getting as close to Ebony Honor as she did after an interrupted run inside the final 200m.

Bookies shortened her to a clear $5.50 second favourite behind Marton Cup winner Etoile Du Nord at $4.50.

Cluden Creek is now rated a $12 chance on the same market.