Racing: Tyler eyes cup double again

Photo / iStock

Kelvin Tyler collected both the Amberley Cup and the Winter Cup with Timy Tyler last year and he's on target to defend the stable's titles.

The Riverton trainer has the progressive Lochan Ora in outstanding form with the four-year-old having suffered just one defeat in seven starts on his current campaign.

The gelding completed a hat-trick yesterday with a resounding win in the Greenwood Amberley Cup at Riccarton ahead of the group three eStar Winter Cup - for which Timy Tyler is also nominated - on August 6.

"I'm getting excited about this horse, he just keeps stepping up," Tyler said.

"He's really grown another leg in the last two or three months - maturity has done wonders for him and he's getting better and better."

A $9000 Karaka buy for Tyler, Lochan Ora settled behind the pace and one off the fence before regular rider Kevin Kalychurun's move across the top had Tyler a touch nervous.

"I thought he had gone a bit early, but he's a better judge than me and getting out into the better part of the track was good - I couldn't be any happier," Tyler said.

Lochan Ora was widest into the straight and the Towkay gelding held a strong gallop to win for the sixth time in his 16-start career.

He was out by two and a half lengths at the finish from Keepa Tramp, who made ground from the back of the field, and the topweight Weissmuller battled away for third.

The former northerner Crackling Rosie made a good fist of her Riccarton debut by coming from third last to claim fourth money.

- NZ Racing Desk