WOLFGANG ALL GEARED UP FOR G3 NEW ZEALAND CUP

CHRISTCHURCH - It might not be the Cup they were aiming for this spring, but trainers Peter and Shaun McKay are looking forward to heading south towards Christchurch to contest the NZ$250,000 (S$184,000) Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3,200m) at Riccarton Park on Nov 15 with their handy stayer Wolfgang.

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The Puccini seven-year-old gelding was campaigning towards the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3,200m) ~ which was taken out by the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Half Yours on Nov 4 — but the father-and-son training partnership abandoned that mission following Wolfgang’s three unplaced runs in Melbourne.

He returned to New Zealand and made an instant impact, carrying 61.5kg to win under former Kranji jockey Craig Grylls in the Waikato Cup Prelude (2,400m) at Te Rapa on Oct 27, which sealed his ticket south to contest the Group 3 feature.

“Things didn’t quite go right for him in Melbourne, but it (New Zealand Cup) is a good Plan B, and it is a nice race to try and chase,” said Peter McKay.

“He had a really good kick on the corner (last start), but his fitness gave out a little bit. He did spend eight days in a paddock in Melbourne, and he was only back here just short of a fortnight, hence it was a pretty good win carrying the weight.

“A couple of horses in behind him have gone a good race next start in the Group race (Group 3 Balmerino Stakes over 2,000m).

“He is going to cart a bit of weight, which is to be expected, but we are very happy with the way he is going into the race.”