Racing: Innes tips Cropp off Cup ride

Leading jockey Lisa Cropp stands to collect more than $10,000 if Justine Coup wins the Herald Auckland Cup on January 1.

But she will not be riding the mare in the $350,000 group one event.

In a surprise move owner Ray Coupland yesterday engaged Leith Innes for the cup, replacing Cropp, who rode the mare in the Waikato Cup last Saturday.

Cropp has been the mare's regular rider through the spring.

"I don't want to be critical of Lisa as a rider and I have told her she will get the same fee Leith gets. That is the way I do business," Coupland said.

"But it is a group one race and you cannot pass up the chance to get a rider of Leith's calibre when he becomes available.

"Lisa is disappointed but she has taken it well."

Coupland consulted co-trainer Peter Williams before making the decision, which he said was based on a number of factors.

"St Reims coming out of the race made Leith available and also affected the cup weights. Justine Coup is expected to have 53.5kg which has widened our options."

Justine Coup came from a long way back for her fifth placing in the Waikato Gold Cup after being checked at the turn and Innes - setting the pace with St Reims - was impressed when he watched the replay.

"With Waitoki Dream she is going to be the horse to beat in the Auckland Cup on that run. She will get the distance and suit a firm track." Innes said.

Justine Coup will not race again before the Auckland Cup, for which she is the $8 second favourite, behind Waitoki Dream at $7.

"She doesn't need it. There is not a lot of her and she is very clean winded. She will be ready," Williams said.

Innes and Cropp are equal at the top of the premiership with 54 wins each.

- NZPA