Racing: Heavy track set to assist Wingatui pair

Steven Prince
Steven Prince
Steven Anderton and Steven Prince might not be performing a rain dance tonight, but some rain might be their friend as they take on a multiple group 1 winner at Riccarton tomorrow.

Anderton lines up The Glitzy One and Prince prepares Ric O'Shea for tomorrow's $100,000 Canterbury Gold Cup, and the latter meets Nashville on the same weight due to the weight-for-age conditions of the 2000m feature.

Anderton also entered The Solitaire in the cup, but is likely to scratch the mare due to the heavy track.

The Glitzy One and Ric O'Shea should have no problems with the track, which was rated at slow9 last night with more rain expected.

Both Wingatui-trained horses lined up in the Hororata Cup on March 22, running first and third, and Prince was really pleased to see his stable star back in form.

''He went really good - he only got beaten by two heads.

''He really hit the line good and Darryl Bradley was delighted with him. He's improved from the run and a bit of rain won't worry him.''

Prince could not put his finger on the reasons for Ric O'Shea's flat patch earlier this season, although he believes the 6yr-old is now better settling midfield rather than on the pace.

''Sometimes he's been ridden a bit indifferent. I think he's better ridden back off the speed a bit,'' he said.

''He's got a habit of holding his breath, so the more you kick him up early, the more he chokes himself.''

Prince is not concerned by the wide draw of barrier 13, particularly if the rain comes.

''He's drawn the outer but, with the rain around, he's got a few options out there.

''I'd like to see him midfield [during the running]. You can't give those good horses a headstart.''

The most-decorated runner in the field is Nashville, who meets his rivals on very good terms, sharing the top weight of 59kg with five other horses.

Anderton respects the dual Otaki weight-for-age winner, but he can at least be confident of The Glitzy One's ability to get through a heavy track.

''Nashville has got to get the 2000m but he's the class horse of the field,'' he said.

''It's going to be really wet and at least we know our mare can handle it.''

Anderton has kept the 6yr-old up to the mark since her Hororata Cup win over 1800m.

''She's been just going through the motions. She had a work-out on Saturday and went quite nicely.

''She had a three-quarter run on Wednesday and she's come up good. She's really well and she's fit.''

Anderton may consider backing up the daughter of Flying Spur in the Riverton Cup on April 19, and she may be joined by her stablemate depending on the track conditions.

''I may back her up in it - or the Great Autumn as she's won it in the last two years.''

 

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