Racing: Kristov's win headache for trainer

Trainer Phillip Stevens will wait on the weights before entering Kristove in the Thorndon Mile

Kristov's outstanding win in the Rural Handicap at Awapuni on Saturday has left his trainer Phillip Stevens facing a major decision as to his stable star's programme.

Stevens had never planned to chase the Thorndon Mile but after the victory, in which Kristov lumped 59.5kg to beat a quality field, Stevens says consideration will be given to paying the late entry fee.

"Well have to go home and talk about it, said Stevens. "We've got until Tuesday to make up our mind.

"I'll give Dean [Nowell, handicapper] a call to find out what weight he can expect to get and then make a decision.

"Unfortunately he's been penalised in the handicaps for being consistent.

"It's a shame because people want to see these good horses race."

While Stevens is diplomatic in his comments regarding handicapping, one can sense his frustration at having to work within a system that rewards with weight relief horses who turn in wildly inconsistent performances but punishes those who consistently give their best.

Moreover, when Kristov did turn in an uncharacteristically poor run in the Rich Hill Mile, the common practice of a drop in ratings was not afforded him.

Indeed, some horses who finished in front of him in that race fell one ratings point whereas Kristov remained static.

This left the bizarre situation that horses who had beaten Kristov home by many lengths in a handicap could potentially have met him better off in the weights at their next start.

Saturday's win came as a slight surprise to Stevens after he had worked Kristov only very lightly since his Rich Hill Mile failure.

"Today was a learning curve to see how he was after Ellerslie," said Stevens.

"For him to sit outside the leader with 59.5kg and beat a group one winner like Hurrah it was great effort."

Many of those in behind Kristov are definite Thorndon Mile prospects and improvement can particularly be expected from Hurrah, who raced keenly in what was his first run for two months.

The run of Penitentiary to finish within a length of the winner was also excellent after being a clear last entering the straight.

His odds of $25 for the Thorndon look attractive for a class performer who was unlucky in the Railway Handicap, a race in which he hit the running rail and suffered a gash to his leg.

Meanwhile, Viz Vitae jumped to favouritism for the Wellington Cup after a smart win in the Marton Cup on Saturday.

Bruce Herd, piloting the son on Shinko King for the first time, said his charge held more comfortably than the winning margin of just a long neck might have suggested.

"He travelled tremendously all the way," said Herd.

"Even 1200m out I was very confident.

"He was just a bit on the steel but I'd spoken to Andrew Calder [previous jockey] and he'd said he can race like that and still kick on."

Herd rode Viz Vitae perfectly, positioning him off the rail in mid-field before pocketing main rival Lord Asterix around the home bend.

"It would have been interesting if Lord Asterix had got a clear run but my horse still had plenty in reserve and I think if they'd had to go another furlong he would still have been in front. He's a deceptive horse. He seems big and weak but he's stronger than he looks and he's got a great stride on him."

One runner who certainly should have filled a better position was sixth-place finisher Sing In The Sun.

The Cambridge mare flashed home from last after repeatedly being blocked for a run in the straight, though unlike most of her rivals she is not nominated for the Wellington Cup.