Different horse, same result.
That was the story of the Couplands Mile for jockey Kelly Myers at Riccarton yesterday as she went back-to-back in the race by actually costing her victorious mount of last season the win.
Myers partnered Platinum Princess to win southern galloping's biggest mile race last year but relegated her to third place yesterday when kicking Nashville home.
The outstanding 4-year-old came from well back to surge clear at the 200m mark and then held out a game Shuka, with Platinum Princess a neck away third.
With two wins in the group two event it is easy to see why Myers rates the Riccarton carnival her favourite.
"I just love coming here, it's my favourite meeting," she said.
She was critical of her own ride, though.
"I actually think I went for him a bit too early. I think I should have waited another 50m.
"But he got there very easily because he is a very exciting horse.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in the future."
Nashville won his debut on the same day last year for Hunterville trainer Adrian Bull and has always looked the real deal, chasing home Ocean Park, in front of Burgundy in the Wellington Stakes last season.
He was then luckless in a Queensland winter campaign but returned with an impressive win at Wanganui last month, suggesting he is one of the early favourites for the other feature miles over the summer.
His win also continued the fine start to the season for his sire Darci Brahma, who the sponsor of yesterday's race, Ray Coupland, appropriately owns a share in.
"Nashville is obviously a pretty good horse and we know Darci Brahma is a good sire, so it is a good result for me," said Coupland.
While the winner was outstanding, punters on Shuka could feel hard done by as he was trapped three wide for the much of the race.
Meanwhile, two of the favourites Fix and Pure Elegance have drawn alongside each other in Saturday's group one 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.
They meet an outstanding field, with Rollout The Carpet and last-start Trentham winner Lovetessa among the field.
