Nymph Monte
Race Images Christchurch
A six figure bonus has resulted in a change of plan for Nymph Monte.
With $1 million now on offer to any horse to win the Gr.3 Laser Plumbing Te Puke City of Auckland Cup, the Gr.2 Go Racing Syndications Avondale Cup and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, trainer Grant Nicholson has altered his charge's programme.
"We were looking at the Zabeel Classic, but that $1 million is a big carrot so the preference is now the City of Auckland Cup," he said.
"After that he'll run in the Herbie Dyke Stakes and then back up into the Avondale Cup – I'm not worried about that, he's done it before – and then it's three weeks to the Auckland Cup.
"It's a bit of an ask, but this horse is more than capable."
Nymph Monte showed his staying ability at Riccarton two runs back with a strong performance to win the Listed Metropolitan Trophy over 2500 metres before he ran fifth in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup.
The five-year-old was freshened after his southern trip and he will return to racing in Saturday's Gr.2 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes at Awapuni.
"He's doing handstands and this will give him a good blow out before we go north," Nicholson said.
"He couldn't win a maiden race over 1400 metres so I don't expect him to win on Saturday. I just want to see him hitting the line hard."
Apprentice Ryan Elliot has been booked for Nymph Monte with regular rider Danielle Johnson to partner Summer's Day, who holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Sistema Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day. – NZ Racing Desk.
With $1 million now on offer to any horse to win the Gr.3 Laser Plumbing Te Puke City of Auckland Cup, the Gr.2 Go Racing Syndications Avondale Cup and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, trainer Grant Nicholson has altered his charge's programme.
"We were looking at the Zabeel Classic, but that $1 million is a big carrot so the preference is now the City of Auckland Cup," he said.
"After that he'll run in the Herbie Dyke Stakes and then back up into the Avondale Cup – I'm not worried about that, he's done it before – and then it's three weeks to the Auckland Cup.
"It's a bit of an ask, but this horse is more than capable."
Nymph Monte showed his staying ability at Riccarton two runs back with a strong performance to win the Listed Metropolitan Trophy over 2500 metres before he ran fifth in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup.
The five-year-old was freshened after his southern trip and he will return to racing in Saturday's Gr.2 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes at Awapuni.
"He's doing handstands and this will give him a good blow out before we go north," Nicholson said.
"He couldn't win a maiden race over 1400 metres so I don't expect him to win on Saturday. I just want to see him hitting the line hard."
Apprentice Ryan Elliot has been booked for Nymph Monte with regular rider Danielle Johnson to partner Summer's Day, who holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Sistema Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day. – NZ Racing Desk.
