Racing: Brilliant mare warm Cup favourite

Kiwi Ingenuity is the shortest-priced mare in a New Zealand Trotting Cup in decades after her comeback win at Ashburton yesterday.

The wonderful 5-year-old, who has yet to even race in open class, is a $2.80 chance to win the $1 million Cup at Addington on November 10.

That was her quote from TAB bookies after she blitzed intermediate-grade rivals, cruising her last 800m in 55.8 seconds on a soaked track.

Her final sectionals compared favourably with those paced by Aussie hardman Karloo Mick two hours earlier when he outstayed his rivals in the $75,000 Flying Stakes.

The two races left little doubt in bookie Steve Richardson's mind that Kiwi Ingenuity will start favourite in the Cup.

"The weight of money in recent days had suggested that and after punters saw that win I am sure she will start favourite," said Richardson.

It was an emphatic performance from the long-striding mare whose favouritism is partly based around the fact few of the local open-class stars have stood up to be counted this season.

She faces going into the Cup with only one lead-up race, a similar programme to the champion mare Armalight before she slew her Cup opponents in 1981.

One major difference is Cups in those days were won in around 4:8 for the 3200m - these days a horse needs to be fit enough to pace 3:57.

Already Kiwi Ingenuity has achieved a rare honour, with few mares ever starting favourite in the Cup, especially one who has never raced in open class.

While her final 800m yesterday was beautiful to watch, it was the effortless nature in which she handled a messy standing start which suggested Kiwi Ingenuity is going to have few problems with the hype of Cup day.

Her $2.80 price is still too short to be taken seriously though with so many big-name rivals who will have their followings.

And Kiwi punters have to take into account the raceday tote race will be co-mingled with the Victoria TAB, on which there will be strong support for Smoken Up and Karloo Mick.

The latter demonstrated his toughness winning the main Cup lead-up yesterday, and, like Kiwi Ingenuity, also showed great manners.

Karloo Mick is a proven group one performer who will relish the 3200m and looms as a definite Cup winning chance.

So, too, does Smoken Up, who has flown under the radar of New Zealand punters this campaign but was awesome in downing Melpark Major at Kilmore on Sunday.

He was backed in from $21 to $7.50 after that win but is back out to $12, which looks the best value in the Cup market.

Tennis Ball won his way into the great race with his Flying Stakes second yesterday, Pembrook Benny was a eye-catching third and is looking stronger every start, while defending Cup champ Changeover improved with a fighting fourth.

But not so good was Bondy, who should have won after leading, while Mr Feelgood galloped early and than ran on well but still looks short of his elite best.

The most likely Cup field, dependant on whether Washakie makes the trip as well as next Monday's Kaikoura Cup is Karloo Mick, Kiwi Ingenuity, Smoken Up, Monkey King, Changeover, Mr Feelgood, Nearea Franco, Bondy, Pembrook Benny, Power Of Tara, Awesome Armbro, Tennis Ball, Bettors Strike, Washakie, Corka Dream.

All Tiger and Georgetown would appear the most likely other contenders and either could win their way into the race at Kaikoura.