The form from a highly competitive and slightly unusual running of the Invercargill Gold Cup will be tested in tomorrow’s Wyndham Cup.
Several of the leading chances in last month’s Ascot Park feature disappointed when Beam Me Up Scotty beat Wild Jack in an upset result.
Kilowatt, Sitarist, Mr Intelligence and Riviera Rock will be out to turn the tables on the quinella makers in tomorrow’s 2000m feature.
Leading chances Nomen Ludi and Picture Me Rollin did not contest the Invercargill Gold Cup.
Both come into tomorrow’s race after producing excellent last-start efforts in shorter races.
Picture Me Rollin ran into third behind two classy horses when Gallant Boy bounced back to his best to beat Killarney over 1600m at Wingatui last weekend.
Trainer Ellis Winsloe opted to bypass last weekend’s meeting after Nomen Ludi produced a cracking first-up effort over 1400m behind the in-form Shirley Maude on Invercargill Cup day.
That means the 6yr-old goes into the Wyndham Cup having had just one run since November.
Winsloe is backing his call that Nomen Ludi is fit enough to run a strong 2000m tomorrow.
‘It was a great run the other day. He could have gone to Wingatui last week, but I decided against going there.
"So, he will go into the Wyndham Cup with just that one run.
"But I am backing my judgement that he will be ready for it."
The Wyndham Cup will serve as much more than a lead-up to the next month’s Riverton Cup for Nomen Ludi.
Winsloe would love to win the race for the horse’s co-owner and breeder, Allan Graham.
"Allan used to farm near Wyndham, so a Wyndham Cup would mean a lot to him."
Winslow will also start Nomen Ludi’s half-brother, Tai Ho, at today’s meeting to prepare the horse for the jumping season.
