Michael and Matthew Pitman’s star mare drops back from 1200m to 1000m for today’s listed feature, which Matthew Pitman thinks is right up the 4yr-old’s alley.
"The 1000m should suit her because they go a bit quicker than in the 1200m and that sets up for her to come from just off the pace," he said at the Pitmans’ home base yesterday.
"At Ashburton the other day, they went a bit slower and sprinted home. She still won and went past them no worries but the 1000m should suit."
The daughter of Swiss Ace was good enough to run second to dual group 1 winner Xtravagant last season — her only defeat — and she gets into the sprint just 0.5kg above the minimum at 53.5kg.
"She’s got in really good at the weights and we couldn’t be happier with the horse. She just keeps on thriving."
The bookmakers agree with the Pitmans. First Serve was a $2.30 fixed-odds favourite yesterday afternoon.
"If she gets through the race fine, she’ll definitely race on Wednesday."
With Son Of Maher redirected towards summer racing at Trentham, First Serve headlines a top New Zealand Cup week team for the Pitmans.
"Since the start of the season, especially at Riccarton, things have been working really well," Matthew Pitman said.
"In the last fortnight, all their work has been extra good, so we’re really happy with where things are at.
"We cut back in numbers over the last couple of years and have built the team back up slowly and it’s probably the best quality team we’ve had in a number of years."
First Serve has two stablemates in the Pegasus. Coup Darci Be is fresh-up, and Kinagat is looking to bounce back from an interrupted run for fifth at Ashburton last month.
"He was held up on his run home and that probably cost him second or third. He’s right where he needs to be. He’ll come right into the mix in the Stewards [Handicap] on Wednesday.
"We bought him last year with the Stewards and Railway in mind in 12 months’ time — and we’re here now."
Queen Serene, who has drawn wide in the rating 65 1600m, is as "good as she’s ever been" and the Pitmans were pleased leading jockey Chris Johnson wanted to retain the ride.
Southern Sav tackles the Metropolitan Trophy as his final run before next Saturday’s New Zealand Cup, as he seeks to go one better than last year’s second in the cup.
"The more ground he gets up to the better he goes, so the 2500m will suit him."
There are two others to look out for from the Pitmans’ stable — they just happen to be a decade apart in age.
The 12yr-old El Chico will run in the Stewards Stakes on Wednesday, "with an eye to the 1400m race on the last day" and the 2yr-old, Sensei, will take his place in the Welcome Stakes next Saturday.
He ran a nice second to Kiwi Ida on debut at Riccarton on October 1, and a win in the listed 2yr-old 1000m race would mean plenty to the family. He was named after the late Jonny Pitman — son of Michael and Diane and brother to Matthew. Jonny Pitman died in 2013 and was a top jiu-jitsu and judo martial artist.
"We think very highly of the horse and there’s a bit of a sentimental thing behind him, too," Matthew Pitman said.
Updates
Updates for meetings today.— M6 Canterbury JCRidersRace 1: Oligarch — Chris Johnson; Big Mac — no rider declared Race 2: Dynamic — Krishna Mudhoo (a2) Race 8: Czarista — Chris Johnson, Tiara Concerto — Mark Du Plessis Scratchings Race 1: Upfrontncentre Race 8: Sweepstake Race 10: TarihiraWeather, fine; track, dead5; rail in true position. M2 Te RapaScratchings Race 6: Enough Race 7: North And South Race 8: Elegant LadWeather, fine; track, dead4; rail out 6m
