Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman hold a strong hand heading into the middle day of the Grand National Festival of Racing at Riccarton, where they will be chasing the lucrative prizemoney on offer at the synthetic meeting.
Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman were confident of a bold showing from Star Ballot at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday, and the gelding duly delivered when taking out the Betavet Natural Solutions Open (2200m).
Group Three-performed stayer Canheroc will commence his path towards the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton this Saturday, but this year he will have home track advantage.
Expat Kiwi jockey Daniel Stackhouse will once again answer the call of Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman to ride their team at Trentham next month.
"He is nominated for the New Zealand Cup, but whether he gets to that race or the Metropolitan (Listed, 2600m), we will just see how he goes in his next two to three starts.”
Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman has a soft spot for five-win gelding Star Ballot and believes he is capable of contesting the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) on his home track in November.
