Nymph Monte
Race Images Christchurch
Grant Nicholson has few concerns about Nymph Monte seeing out a strong 3200m for Saturday week's Gr.3 Christchurch Casino 153rd New Zealand Cup at Riccarton.
The Wairarapa trainer paid the late entry fee for the Cup after the Tavistock five-year-old gelding ran out a convincing four-length victor of the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton last start.
"I was rapt with the way he dropped the bit and relaxed and then hit the line hard. It was good to see," Nicholson said.
"We paid the late entry fee the Tuesday after that race and Danielle Johnson is booked right through."
Johnson takes over from Nymph Monte's Spring Classic-winning jockey Alysha Collett for Saturday's Listed Gold Club Metropolitan Trophy Handicap (2500m) at Riccarton.
"We just want to see him drop the bit and do the same as last time. He's improved out of his run last time because there was a month between races. He's loving it down here. It's like he's on a road trip with the boys."
Nicholson has Nymph Monte stabled at Riccarton and can't wait for his star stayer to tackle the glamour 3200m of the New Zealand Cup.
"In his breeding, everything in his family is a 2400m horse and further. If he relaxes like he's been doing, I can't see any reason why he won't run out a strong two miles," Nicholson said.
Nymph Monte shares second favouritism at $6 for the New Zealand Cup with the Chris Wood-trained Pacorus, with the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Maygrove, a rival for Saturday's Metropolitan, the $5 favourite. - NZ Racing Desk.
The Wairarapa trainer paid the late entry fee for the Cup after the Tavistock five-year-old gelding ran out a convincing four-length victor of the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton last start.
"I was rapt with the way he dropped the bit and relaxed and then hit the line hard. It was good to see," Nicholson said.
"We paid the late entry fee the Tuesday after that race and Danielle Johnson is booked right through."
Johnson takes over from Nymph Monte's Spring Classic-winning jockey Alysha Collett for Saturday's Listed Gold Club Metropolitan Trophy Handicap (2500m) at Riccarton.
"We just want to see him drop the bit and do the same as last time. He's improved out of his run last time because there was a month between races. He's loving it down here. It's like he's on a road trip with the boys."
Nicholson has Nymph Monte stabled at Riccarton and can't wait for his star stayer to tackle the glamour 3200m of the New Zealand Cup.
"In his breeding, everything in his family is a 2400m horse and further. If he relaxes like he's been doing, I can't see any reason why he won't run out a strong two miles," Nicholson said.
Nymph Monte shares second favouritism at $6 for the New Zealand Cup with the Chris Wood-trained Pacorus, with the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Maygrove, a rival for Saturday's Metropolitan, the $5 favourite. - NZ Racing Desk.
