Racing: NZ trainers pleased with cup leadups

The trainers of New Zealand stayers Red Ruler and Capecover declared them spot-on for the spring cups after top leadup runs in Melbourne features on Saturday.

Red Ruler, trained at Matamata by John Sargent, ran fifth by just under two lengths to Heart Of Dreams in a star-studded Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.

In what should be a solid Underwood formline, dominant Cox Plate favourite Whobegotyou was second, Predatory Pricer third, last year's Cox Plate winner Maldivian fourth and Vigor an unlucky sixth.

"He's just starting to lose his winter coat and he's certainly heading the right way," Sargent said yesterday of Red Ruler. "He got held up a bit, but he had a lovely run. It was a great run in that field and he'll go up another level in terms of his fitness."

Red Ruler will now head to the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3 before tackling the Caulfield Cup, where he ran sixth last year.

The gelding drops from weight-for-age conditions to 53.5kg in the Caulfield Cup.

Sargent said there were no set plans after Caulfield and Red Ruler could contest the Cox Plate a week later, instead of the Melbourne Cup.

Stablemate Young Centaur, who is on the Caulfield Cup-Geelong Cup-Melbourne Cup trail, will line up at either Moonee Valley on Friday or the Mornington Cup on Saturday.

Capecover could also contest the Mornington Cup after he was blocked for a run then ran home strongly for eighth, three lengths behind winner Red Lord, in the group three Naturalism Stakes (2000m).

Wanganui Trainer Alexander Fieldes was thrilled with the run, as was top Melbourne jockey Craig Williams.

"Craig said he was flying, he just didn't have any luck. He told me, 'I'm riding him wherever he goes.' He said it was the best he's ever felt, and he'll be a great chance if he gets to the cup," Fieldes said.

Capecover, who won last year's Queen Elizabeth (2500m) at Flemington, is not entered for the Caulfield Cup and is a $41 chance for his main target, the Melbourne Cup.

Fieldes said part-owner Kevin Myers wanted Capecover to contest the Mornington Cup, while Fieldes favoured the Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington a week later.

"He pays the bills. I'll wait for Kevin to ring and I'll do what he says. I don't want to lose the horse."

Former Kiwi Tinseltown was a disappointing 11th in the Naturalism, after having a good run.

- NZPA