Weekend racing with Iain Hyndman

Nymph Monte on song for Feilding Gold Cup at Awapuni on Saturday. Photo / Peter Rubery

Iain Hyndman's Awapuni Tips

1: Secret Allure, Shadow Dancer, Soroc
2: Portland Jimmy, Platinum Wild Card, Lady Style
3: Wisdom Patch, Satin Belt, Lucidity
4: Detentore, King Cougar, Petite En Jeu
5: Darscape Princess, Art Deco, Heni
6: All Black Magic, Handyman, Obrigado
7: Excalibur, Highlad, Five To Midnight
8: Ficticious, Terra Firma, Cyclops
Best Bet: Secret Allure (R1)

Nymph Monte made light work of his opposition in the Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera last-start and his trainer and part-owner, Grant Nicholson, is hoping he can continue that form into the Listed Ricoh Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

The seven-year-old gelding had put in two pleasing runs at Hastings over the spring carnival before his run in the Taranaki feature earlier this month, where he recorded a one and a quarter length victory over Group One-winner Ladies First.

"He was building to that run after Hastings and just needed a bit of luck on his side. It was a very good effort and a good ride as well by Shafiq Rusof," Nicholson said.

"He's pulled up really good and we are very happy with him at this stage. He's certainly on target for Saturday."

The dual stakes winner will jump from barrier seven under apprentice jockey Wiremu Pinn and Nicholson is hoping for another strong run.

"We'll try and put him in the race again and see if we can get a bit of luck around the top and get out in the open and hopefully he can finish it off again," he said.

Nicholson has been pleased with how Nymph Monte has been performing this spring and is now eyeing a Cups tilt with his gelding later this month.

"He's been in great form all year," he said. "At Hastings he just didn't get the breaks at the right time, but I have been very happy with him, from his trial right through. He has been going good so far, so fingers-crossed we can keep it going.

"After Saturday he will either head towards the New Zealand Cup, depending on weight, or he will head to the Counties Cup." – NZ Racing Desk