Based not only on the decisiveness of his win, but on an historical assessment as well, the connections of Kaapeon can approach the Wellington Cup with a degree of confidence.
Imaprince, the winner of the 1985 Wellington Cup, preceded that success with a Marton Cup victory, Empire Rose won in 1988 and then went on to score that famous win at Flemington. Mr Brooker, the winner of the race twice, in 1993 and 1994, interspersed those efforts with a placing in the Melbourne Cup.
In 1944 Don Quex won the Marton, Wellington and Manawatu Cups.
Saturday's Marton Cup was a triumph for Kaapeon's Levin trainer Grant Searle and rejuvenated rider Noel Harris.
Since shifting to Matamata about a year ago, the veteran Harris' fortunes have taken a turn for the better, his winners including Hail in last month's New Zealand Derby.
While there was some humour in that he was like a good wine and getting "better with age," he proved his ability by riding four winners on the opening day of the Auckland Cup carnival.
Renewing an association with Woodville trainer and former contemporary Bruce Marsh has given Harris something to strive for.
For Marsh he was at his brilliant best to land the five-year-old Cheiron home in the Rangitikei Tavern Handicap, after seemingly having blown the start when the horse began tardily.
Harris immediately accepted the ride on Kaapeon when it became available.
In his ride on third placed Nikisha in the Auckland Cup, Harris had a bird's-eye view of why Kaapeon could finish no closer than 12th with top Australian jockey Damien Oliver aboard.
"He and Paddy Maloney had a bumping duel throughout the race and even though Paddy Maloney finished fourth, few horses could have managed to overcome that sort of run," Harris said.
It was a typical Harris ride on Saturday. He displayed considerable patience but at the same time gave the Kaapstad five-year-old as economical a run as possible.
In the straight the pair swooped quickly and put paid to the hopes of Cambridge mare Hello Dolly.
Another visitor, No Alimony, also a disappointment in the Auckland Cup, was a gallant third.
Woodville apprentice Thomas Russell was taken with Starina's effort to finish fourth.
Apart from Kaapeon, Lord Presto was the only local in sight at the finishing line. He was fifth but couldn't muster the sprint which saw him take out the previous week's Woodville-Pahiatua Cup.
Esprit De Corps, who had won the previous two cups, did not seem seasoned to see out the trip. He had but one trial and a race since the Feilding Cup in late October.
Cheiron produced a dazzling finish to steal the honours off local mare Pompeii River in the Rangitikei Tavern Handicap.
Having his first start since September, Cheiron missed the start and gave the leaders, including Pompeii River, a big start commencing the run home.
Trainer Marsh said this habit has been a problem with Cheiron, especially when fresh.
Cheiron had gone into the race with 10 wins from 29 starts. Four of those successes have been on Marsh's regular winter raids into Queensland and had amassed $380,000 in stake earnings.
The Thorndon Mile at Trentham, worth $81,250 to the winner, is the next target for the five-year-old by Centaine.
Last year Marsh produced Cheiron fresh for a tilt at the Telegraph Handicap. It was almost the training feat of the season, as Cheiron went down narrowly to star sprinter Fritz.
With Saturday's run under his belt it will be the Marsh-Harris combination, going for another major prize. It is an extra incentive for Harris who rides Kaapeon in the Wellington Cup an hour or so earlier.
- NZPA
Racing: Marton Cup history may be in Kaapeon's favour
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.