Racing: Pitmans to seal SI title

Michael Pitman.
Michael Pitman.
A two-win lead could be enough for Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman to claim their first South Island trainers' premiership - but Michael Pitman is taking nothing for granted yet.

The father-and-son partnership have 10 runners across six races at today's Ashburton Racing Club meeting, and Pitman believes one of those will need to salute to ensure his team holds off a bid from John and Karen Parsons.

The Pitmans have 46 wins for the season, two ahead of the Parsons partnership and Brian and Shane Anderton (both on 44).

However, the Andertons have no runners engaged tomorrow.

''I think we'll probably have to win a race to wrap it up,'' Pitman said.

''I didn't think we had any chance because we don't have the numbers.

''But similarly, I haven't forced any horse to race when I don't think it suits them either.''

The Pitmans trimmed back their team in the latter stages of this season.

''We normally stay down at Riverton longer, but we came home earlier. Diane and I had a fortnight's holiday in Australia which we've never had.''

The win will mean a lot to Pitman and son Matt, particularly after they redesigned their colours at the start of the season to incorporate a silver fern going into the letter J in memory of son and brother Jonny who died in November, 2013.

''People don't realise how important that is to win for us,'' he said.

''For Matt to win a South Island premiership if he can first-up - as a father, I'm proud.''

So where might that 47th win come from? Race 2 looks likely, as the Pitmans line up Ask Me, Killa Question, Ripple and Rivertaine Coup in the rating 75 1200m.

''The best horse is definitely Rivertaine Coup, but the best chance? It's a toss up between Ask Me and Ripple.''

Ripple has kicked on well since a fresh-up fifth at Ashburton on July 3.

''She's come up really well and she's really happy. I haven't overraced her and I haven't overraced Rivertaine Coup.''

''[Rivertaine Coup] probably wants a wee bit of sting out of it - she's got a really good record at Riccarton and that's where she's being aimed at, and Ask Me will be a lot better chance than what she will appear on paper.''

Mirage makes her South Island debut in a 1200m maiden, although Pitman expects her to get over more ground in the future with much of her northern racing over 1600m.

''She's been ready to go for about the last month, but we didn't want her to start on an unsuitably wet or unsuitably firm track - she's an Iffraaj so the sting out of the track was always going to help her.

It's No Secret (race 3) won a trial in February, and has put some foot problems behind her, Pitman said.

''A bit of sting out of the track wouldn't hurt her - she's a nice horse with a bit of speed, but just lacks a bit of ringcraft that's all. It's got the ability to be competitive.''

Backhand is in the same race, and last raced for Chris McNab at Te Teko in June.

''Chris assures me it's got ability - we haven't screwed it down. It's working nice and got a good draw and gets 4kg off [from apprentice Hayley Bennet] and that will be a big help.''

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