Country cups often go to up-and-comers drawn well with a light weight. Matamata gelding Count Cristo fits that bill in the $50,000 Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) at Awapuni tomorrow.
The six-year-old landed a betting plunge in the Masterton Cup (2200m) at Hastings three weeks ago at his open class debut. He looks poised to go a step further with 3kg less on his back and replacement jockey Paul Taylor.
The firm track at Hastings suited him, and the clear-cut victory was not a surprise according to Simon Alexander, whose wife Katrina trains the horse.
"Despite his wet track form, we have always thought the best would come out in him on firm tracks," Simon Alexander said today.
"It was probably too hard at Hastings, but if Awapuni has got the slightest give in it, we'll be happy.
"He's done remarkably well since Hastings and I see no reason why he cannot be competitive again, especially from that draw (seven)."
Leith Innes rode Count Cristo in the Masterton Cup, but could not make the weight for tomorrow's race.
"He's an easy horse to ride, so Paul (Taylor) shouldn't encounter any problems," Alexander said.
"As long as he's going forward and in the clear from the 800m, he'll be okay."
Count Cristo has never stepped foot on Awapuni, but the same cannot be said of course specialist Esprit De Corps, a former Marton Cup winner at Awapuni.
Along with Count Cristo, Esprit De Corps gives Matamata stables a strong hold in the Feilding Gold Cup with just their two representatives.
Esprit De Corps has raced at Awapuni four times previously for three wins and a second. That second was behind Cruzeiro in the Feilding Gold Cup of last year.
There are not many in tomorrow's cup that appear to be putting their hooves up for a hometown victory, but top trainer Noel Eales has two of the most interesting runners in topweight Count Chivas and last February's Invercargill Gold Cup (2200m) winner, Uncle.
Both horses raced on the same days at Hastings last month, but in different contests.
They have both already shown that winning form is close at hand, though Count Chivas has had the misfortune to draw the outside alley of 18.
He will be ridden again by Noel Harris, who got the feel of the Lord Ballina nine-year-old in the Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) four weeks ago.
- NZPA
Racing: Matamata's Count Cristo fits cup bill
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