eStar Winter Cup Nominiations
Fifty-one entries were received at the Tuesday 13 June 2017 deadline for the eStar sponsored Winter Cup to be held at Riccarton Park Racecourse on the first Saturday of the new season 5 August 2017. The total for the 120th renewal of the Group 3 winter 1600 metre feature is similar to the 54 entries received last year.
Last year’s winner MISS THREE STARS is entered to defend her crown and the runner-up PLATINUM COMMAND and third placegetter TAURUS are also entered along with other starters from 2016 IRISH EXCUSE, the highest rated entrant, TIMY TYLER, LOCHAN ORA, JUSTLIKEYASISTER and FARCE.
TIMY TYLER was the winner of the race in 2015 and MISS THREE STARS finished thirteenth that year.
TAURUS is the sole entrant from those that started in 2014 having finished sixth that year.
Entries of note include Group 1 winner NASHVILLE who has contested the last three running’s of the Coupland’s Bakeries Mile at Riccarton Park and is the winner of the Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup on the course, Group 1 4th placegetter HAYLEY MAREE who has not raced since May last year and recent Riccarton Park winners TWOZNOTENOUGH, Speight’s Mid Ale Easter Stakes, and BLOODSTREAM, Redwood Great Autumn Handicap.
Interesting course and carnival form is provided with three winners from last year’s ‘eStar Winter Cup Day’ support races being entered – LINCOLN BAY won the Rating 65 1600 metre race last year, MASTER PLATINUM, the Rating 65 1200 both trained by Lisa Latta and Graham Eade prepared STOKERS ROCK to win the Rating 75 1800 metre race. STOKERS ROCK, now trained by Peter McKay at Matamata, backed up to win again last year in the Rating 75 1600 on the third day.
HENI is the equal second highest rated entrant and also won a double at last year’s Carnival with the Rating 85 1200 on the middle day and the Open Handicap over 1400 metres on ‘Grand National Day’.
There is a provision for LATE ENTRIES WHICH CLOSES ON WEDNESDAY 19 JULY 2017. First withdrawals close on Wednesday 5 July, second withdrawals on Wednesday 19 July and weights will be declared on Thursday 20 July 2017.
The full list of entrants can be found on www.nzracing.co.nz .
The fixed odds market is planned for release on Saturday morning during the screening of ‘The First Call’.
For further information contact Jim Langan, Racing Manager 336 0052 or Tim Mills, Chief Executive 336 0050.
