CJC 129th WINTER CUP G3

RACE 9 - 1600m

PRIORESS / ROYAL VALOUR / BELLA LUCE

PRIORESS is in sublime form at present and proved it when storming down the outside to claim the Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth two weeks ago. It followed a weaving finish to win over 1200m at Hawera and it does appear trainer Suzy Gordon has the PROISIR mare ready to face a big mile challenge once again. Won't be paying $40 this time, but well weighted, wet track will suit and very little depth to this year's Winter Cup.

☆☆☆☆

ROYAL VALOUR gave a brave account of himself in last year’s Gr.3 Winter Cup and is on track for a second tilt at the Riccarton feature after finishing a tidy 2nd in the Oamaru Cup when intially being slow away. The Wilson stable has meticulously prepared the BELARDO gelding for this current campaign, and while his customary rear running style may not be ideal, the long straight and open spaces at this venue should mitigate any significant disadvantage.

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Riccarton mare BELLA LUCE was victorious in the Oamaru Cup (1600m), and trainer Lance Robinson is hoping he can attain valuable black-type with a horse turning eight today. Another BELARDO miler, she should appreciate the Heavy conditions but versatile enough to win over the mile on the Riccarton synthetic in May. Home course will help as Lance Robinson probably can't get the mare in any better shape to face group class.

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KORAL STEEPLECHASE

RACE 5 - 4250m

LORD SPENCER / NEDWIN / BRUCIE

LORD SPENCER, has shown a talent for jumping, posting three hurdle wins, including the 2024 edition of the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) at Te Rapa before transitioning to chasing this season where he finished runner-up in his steeplechase debut at Te Aroha last month. Went on to win his maiden steeplechase at the Te Rapa followed by a gutsy win in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) at Woodville. Can make the next step up.

☆☆☆☆

The old warhorse NEDWIN will have one more shot at the big time before the jumping season is over and the 12 year old gelding is forced to retire due to age restrictions. Finished 3rd to JESKO in the Grand National last year before winning the Pakuranga Hunt Cup. Set the pace and fought back brilliantly to win the Waikato Steeples, then solid for 3rd in the Wellington Steeples. Has the grit but can throw in the odd poor jump, although rock hard and can go very close.

☆☆☆

BRUCIE proved too strong in the Wellington Steeplechase for trainer Raymond Connors and the RAISE THE FLAG gelding has gone to another level after some good, and not so good jumping displays last year. It appears the team now have him set as a reliable chaser who can go forward and handle this distance without too may problems. Jumps cleanly then right up to winning this and TOP3 is within his grasp.

☆☆

SYDENHAM HURDLES

RACE 2 - 3100m

DICTATION / BILLY BOY / THE BAMBINO

The Nelson/McDougal team are likely to have the fine hurdler DICTATION in the best possible shape after three runs back and the Waikato Hurdles result was the best indicator of his ability thus far. Fought hard for a close up 3rd behind PACHECO before running down the fence at the 1200m in the Hawkes Bay Hurdle and still holding 4th. Won this race easily in 2025 and well up for a repeat effort if able to jump clean throughout. Never underestimate this training duo.

☆☆☆☆

BILLY BOY demonstrated his continued proficiency in hurdling by securing victory for the second consecutive year in the rescheduled Wellington Hurdle (3200m), outperforming the promising ROC UP RALPH. The Jo Rathbone trained gelding had been performing well on the flat before a top jumping trial at Cambridge which sharpened him up nicely. Went back to the flat to keep some zip in those legs and a big threat if he handles Riccarton.

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THE BAMBINO has always looked a top hurdler in the making and proved it last year when winning twice over 3000m at Woodville before placing runner-up to TAIKA in the Great NZ Hurdle !(4200m) at Te Aroha. Slow away but got up for 3rd in the Hawkes Bay Hurdle last start and the Nelson/McDougal team should have him well primed for this challenge. Another yet to prove himself down here but will be running on.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1800m

CONEY ISLAND / BALANCE OF POWER / TAVI ANN

Impossible to go past the progressive CONEY ISLAND from the Latta barn who has looked very good this prep and is sure to be rock hard fit. Two runner-up finishes were followed by a stunning win over the 2040m at Wanganui bursting away on the turn and fought hard last start for 2nd to ANOTHER WON'T HURT over 2100m at Otaki. Probably better suited to improved track conditions and in the Soft range the SACRED FALLS gelding looms as a major player travelling south.

☆☆☆☆☆

The Walker/Bergerson Te Akau team haven't been able to extract another win out of BALANCE OF POWER since March last year, although the last couple of runs down south have shown a bit more fight. The ALMANZOR gelding won two over 2000m in early 2025 and one in the New Year over the mile, but came to Christchurch seeking better results. Yet to fulfil those expectations but capable of a big run going up in trip.

☆☆☆

We're going to give the seven-year-old mare TAVI ANN a look in here after powering up to win by three lengths over 2200m on a Heavy 10 Oamaru track last start. The TAVISTOCK mare was always around the mark in the CD before finding a new home in the Rangiora with the wryly trainer John Blackadder. She does have the motor and if able to handle this surface then could be the value horse despite the wide gate.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1400m

WIRE ROPE / CANASTA / VIVACIOUS

WIRE ROPE has been just a touch off them in recent runs in the Central Districts but is capable of producing a big finish and this track with its open spaces may play to his strengths as a fully fit horse. We expect the duo of Thurlow and O'Malley to have this DARCI BRAHMA gelding in peak physical condition and he does shape as a serious contender over this trip.

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The Anna Furlong runner CANASTA doesn't always deliver on this Riccarton circuit but the ACE HIGH mare did put in a big finish to win here over 1400m in March and the last couple of runs haven't been too bad at all on the smaller Ashburton and Oamaru tracks. Probably won't mind it wet, but in the Soft6/7 range seems the optimal conditions to excel.

☆☆☆

You can't really count out the Te Akau mare VIVACIOUS who has been on the Riccarton synthetic only in recent months after last winning over 1200m on the turf in March when defeating a good type in IRON HAWK. They seem to favour the firmer surface wirh this mare, although some give in the track wouldn't hurt her chances.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1200m

GUZZLER / FULL CREAM / MERCY

We have some time for this ALMANZOR gelding GUZZLER who has returned in fine fashion for Jo Rathbone. Raced midfield three wide without cover throughout over 1340m at Wanganui and ran on well for 2nd to CEZZANE. Settled forward and got to the lead to win well at Waverley last start and we expect just as bold an effort coming down here.

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FULL CREAM seems a very handy HELLO YOUMZAIN filly who is trained on the course and age started to come right late last year when runner-up at Timaru, then Ashburton. Not so good in the next three at Riccarton before finishing best to win there in May. Bombed at Wingatui before coming back home to run 2nd fighting hard over 1000m. Moodley on and his results on the horse are strong.

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The Myers trained MERCY may need to go forward and take up the running down the chute from this wide gate and with Floor Moerman aboard he should see a positive ride. The DARCI BRAHMA mare won over 1200m at Otaki in May before being put aside to freshen up. Scrubbed up nicely to win a Foxton trial to prepare and with some luck can get into the finish.

☆☆

BEST BET: CONEY ISLAND

NEXT BEST: DICTATION

BEST VALUE: PRIORESS

WILDCARD: CLAUDIUS MAXIMUS