Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday.
The Waverley trainer collected a brace of wins, a runner-up finish and a treasured Group One placing at Riccarton and is now focused on No Compromise’s tilt at the Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m).
Successful in the Gr.1 The Metropolitan (2400m) during his tenure with Chris Waller, the eight-year-old son of Pins hasn’t won since his return home but has performed with distinction up to the highest level.
He was runner-up in Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m), third in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and most recently was also third in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.
“Hopefully, there is a bit of moisture around, he needs a bit of dig in the ground,” Thurlow said.
“He had a soft trial at Foxton on Tuesday, we gave him a nice hit-out on a track that had give in it.
“We were rapt with him, he went around on the bridle and did what was asked of him, so he’ll go north in really good order and we’re looking forward to it. I’m sure he’ll race well.”
Ryan Elliot was aboard last time out and will again partner No Compromise, whose longer-term target is likely to be the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).
Thurlow was delighted with his Riccarton results with The Entertainer winning on the first and last days, Crunchie Boy finished runner-up and Movin Out ran a gallant third in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
“It was great, the horses really went well and it’s always nice when you travel for them to perform and we thought we took the right horses and it all worked out,” he said.
“They all travelled back well and are in the paddock and we’ll plan what we do with them.
“The two older horses will bounce through well and the younger filly might just take a bit longer, it’s a big trip for the first time.”
Movin Out was at long odds in just her third career start and was coming off a maiden victory at Otaki, but there was confidence in her Classic prospects.
“It was a massive step up and we were underdogs, but we wouldn’t have taken her down there if we didn’t think she was up to it,” Thurlow said.
“We knew she was good, she has a lot of ability and she just lacked a bit of ringcraft.
“She never came up early enough in the spring to get another race or two into her, it wasn’t fitness but just lacking a bit of experience went against her.”
Thurlow is confident the daughter of Staphanos can progress further as she is stepped up in ground on her return next year.
“She has got at least 2000m stamped all over her, she is just so relaxed with a beautiful stride and gets into a good rhythm and is probably a real Oaks filly,” he said.