WELLINGTON -The Caulfield-Melbourne Cups campaign of one of New Zealand's leading chances began in style when Hill Of Grace won the $10,000 Whangarei Cup yesterday.
The opposition in the 1600m open handicap at Ruakaka was not strong but there was a touch of class about her victory.
Hill Of Grace had not raced since finishing fifth in the $A700,000 AJC Oaks at Randwick on April 29.
The Zabeel mare was sent out a warm favourite at a win dividend of $3.05 and came from mid-field to hit the front half-way down the straight and score by a length in the hands of Opie Bosson.
Waikato trainer Robert Priscott said Hill Of Grace came to the end of her run short of the post but he was very satisfied with the performance.
"She blew out the last 50 metres or so, but otherwise it was quite a strong win." said Priscott.
"I thought she was pretty strong."
Priscott agreed the competition was far from the best but he was pleased at the way she accomplished the win.
"It's small beginnings but she did it with a bit of style, so that was good."
Priscott said Hill Of Grace was booked to be flown to Melbourne on September 18 and her first start there would be the $A250,000 weight-for-age Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 7.
He said the initial aim was the $A2 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 21 and after that prospects would be assessed for the $A3.3 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 7.
Hill Of Grace was yesterday being quoted by Melbourne bookmaker Michael Eskander on the third line of betting for Caulfield Cup at odds of 16-1. In the Melbourne Cup she was on the fourth line at 25-1.
Eskander said Hill Of Grace had been thrown in at the weights with 50.5kg for both races.
That in itself provides a minor problem for Priscott.
He had been hoping to gain the services of leading Melbourne jockey Brett Prebble who rode the horse to win two Australian races for 3-year-old fillies earlier this year.
They were the group two $A1 million Moonee Valley Oaks (2400m) in Melbourne on March 25 and the group one $A400,000 Ansett Australia Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 15.
"You would like to keep the same bloke on," Priscott said.
"Brett Prebble's keen to ride her but he can't do 50.5kg."
Priscott said he will wait to see how things pan out before deciding on a jockey
"I'll worry about the horse for the meantime. After all, jockeys tend to put their hands up."
- NZPA
Racing: Grace's Cup rivals face uphill battle
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.