NEW PLYMOUTH - Takanini trainer Trevor McKee virtually ruled out a trip to Riccarton next month for Blue Veil despite the under-rated four-year-old scoring a last-to-first victory in the $20,000 Winter Cup Trial at New Plymouth.
Apart from the winning purse, the winner of the Taranaki Racing Club's feature on Saturday was also entitled to free transport to Christchurch for the group three $50,000 Winter Cup at Riccarton on August 5.
Despite the incentive, McKee said it was highly unlikely Blue Veil would head south for the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting.
"Regardless of what happened it was going to be her last run before she went out for a spell," he said.
"That is what will probably happen."
Blue Veil has now won five of 23 career starts and has been placed a further eight occasions for stakes of just over $52,000.
McKee, who trains in partnership with his son Stephen, rates the Justice Prevails mare highly.
Blue Veil was near last passing the 600m mark in the 1400m race and a least 15 lengths from pacemaker Ma Danseuse, who in company with The Red Express ensured a torrid pace in the early and middle stages.
Rider Vanessa Kroese had moved Blue Veil handier on the home turn and the combination made their challenge through the centre of the field to go on and score by a length from Ruakiwi Lad with The Blazer close up third.
Kroese said it was always the plan to ride Blue Veil cold early. Kroese, 26, completed her apprenticeship recently, but signed on for an additional year with the McKee stable.
Saturday's victory took Kroese's career tally to 26 wins and was one of the biggest of her career.
"I won the Matamata Cup on Force The Pace in the first year I was riding, that would be my biggest win."
While Blue Veil is expected to be missing from Riccarton, Ruakiwi Lad showed he was on track to make the trip with a solid run for second.
The disappointment in the Winter Cup Trial was the favourite Call Minder who failed to cope with the heavy and sticky track conditions.
"She never handled it at all," Call Minder's rider Michael Walker said.
"It was too sticky and deep."
Second favourite Nothing Lika Tango was fourth, running the race of an improver for rider Jeremy Walsh.
"The run will improve him and he's looking for 1600 metres now," Walsh said
- NZPA
Racing: Winter Cup trip looks unlikely for Blue Veil
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