New Zealand Trainers Happy With Cup Handicaps
- Tuesday, 03 September 2002 00:00
Walker's two candidates Distinctly Secret and Society Beau both received 51.5kg for the two races, while the James pair Sixty Seconds and The Pumper were given 50.5 and 50kg respectively.
The more serious Melbourne Cup prospect of the Walker duo is Distinctly Secret, who has emerged from an injury cloud to win a trial last week and continue his preparation for a return to racing at Hastings on Saturday week.
The QTC Grand Prix Stakes winner struck a tendon while playing in the paddock a month ago, but has staged a complete recovery.
"The signs weren't too bad at the time, and the vet has scanned him again since last week's trial," said Walker. "He gave him the all clear."
Distinctly Secret, who at 16-to-one is the most favoured New Zealand-trained entrant for the Melbourne Cup, returns to racing in the 1600 metre Glenmorgan Haweke's Bay Challenge Stakes at Hastings on September 14.
Society Beau continues his Epsom Handicap preparation over 1400 metres at Ellerslie this Saturday. He was impressive when resuming successfully at Taupo a fortnight ago and has thrived since.
Sixty Seconds has yet to make a raceday appearance this season, but pleased James with an easy 1300 metre trial win last Friday.
"Scott Seamer made a special trip out to Bendigo to ride her and was most taken with her performance," James told ThoroughbredNEWS this morning.
James has yet to finalise the Centaine mare's season opener, but comments that she has "really gone forward" in the past couple of weeks.
The Caulfield Cup remains her primary goal, with a Melbourne Cup start no certainty at this stage. Nor is The Pumper, who satisfied James with his close up fifth in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday, a certain runner in either race.
"Caulfield remains an option, but I'll just have to decide his plans as I go along," said James.
Other Cup handicaps of local interest include Brew, who has 54kg in both races, Leica Guv (53.5), Kaapstad Way (53), Hail (52.5), Prized Gem (52) and this Saturday's Flemington first starter Cyclades, who has 51.5kg in both big events.
Cent Home and La Bella Dama, entrants for only the Caulfield Cup, are handicaped at 53.5 and 52.5kg respectively.
Media Release - TNZ
