Cup Countdown Begins In NZ
The countdown to this year’s Cranbourne Pacing Cup began in earnest this week with a number of the potential combatants lining up across the Tasman during New Zealand Cup week.
Lance Justice’s warhorse Smoken Up flew the flag for the Aussies in the $600,000 New Zealand Cup and was sent out favourite after having been placed in the past two editions of the race. The Aussie champ finally looked set to break through when he led the field for home but was run down in the shadows of the post by locally trained 4 year old Terror To Love with the consistent performer Highview Tommy filling third place.
Cranbourne CEO David Scott was on hand to witness the win of Terror To Love and spoke to co-trainer Paul Court after the race. “Connections are waiting to learn if the horse is to be invited to the Miracle Mile in Sydney. They will then make their plans for an Australian campaign which may take in the Cranbourne Cup and the Victoria Cup,” Scott explained.
In another boost for the Cranbourne Cup, giant pacer Franco Emirate has been confirmed as a visitor after his emphatic win in the Free For All on Cup Day and top-liner Smiling Shard is also a likely starter at Cranbourne according to trainer Cran Dalgety.
Leading Kiwi conditioner Tim Butt appears certain to round out the NZ contingent at this stage with either Raglan, a winner of the Newcastle Mile in recent weeks, or the highly credentialed American import Lis Again. Butt has been a regular visitor to Victoria and put the polish on 2003 Cranbourne Cup winner Mister DG.
The 2011 Group 1 Decron Cranbourne Pacing Cup is to be run on Saturday 10th December. Group bookings can still be made by contacting the club on 5996 8677.
