Racing: Grinding victory redeems Pentane

Prospects for the Auckland Cup suddenly became a lot clearer on Saturday.

Just when longtime TAB favourite Pentane yielded that position to Genebel, he soared back into the reckoning with his grinding win at Matamata.

And Pretorius gave Auckland Cup punters something to think about with a runway victory at Otaki.

Pentane's win looked tradesman-like rather than dashing, but from a 3200m Cup perspective, it was great.

First, it showed that the beaten effort at Te Rapa last start can be ignored as a Cup guide and, most importantly, it showed the classy Matamata stayer will definitely manage his first attempt at 3200m.

So dour was Pentane's performance that for a good while early in the home straight he looked flat-footed and unlikely to win.

"I thought coming to the corner that he was no hope," said fill-in rider Jason Waddell.

"I was pushing him along and he wasn't going anywhere."

Pentane knuckled down just outside the 200m and worked past the leaders.

"He'd have run that last 200m very fast," said Waddell.

"After he runs in the Cup, he'd have to be fresh from a spell to win over 2000m, he's that dour."

Pentane is very gross in condition and trainer Lance O'Sullivan said: "I won't be missing him [in training] between now and the Cup."

Michael Walker rides Pentane in the Cup on Wednesday week.

Jason Waddell had to waste to ride Pentane at 53.5kg on Saturday, but he wasn't thinking about hardship when he packed his bags to head home - he won another three races on the card, Naturo in the big race and Sir Scintillate and Sandcastle in supporting events.

Pretorius' owners, Auckland property investor Robin Peel-Walker and studmaster Nelson Schick, are not convinced the Volksraad stayer is suited to the 3200m of the Auckland Cup.

A decision has yet to be made on whether that plan will go ahead.

"I'd like to run him," said trainer Jakki Good. "I know they say he won't stay the 3200m because he's by Volksraad, but look at Willy Smith, he's by Volksraad and the way he won on Saturday, he'll run the distance when he's tried."

Pretorius played with his opposition, providing veteran rider David Walsh with his third win on the day.

Walsh felt the big stayer raced a little keenly and would need cover to see out the 3200m at Ellerslie.

Michael Walker was big on the future of Willy Smith after riding him to victory in the St Leger Trial at Otaki.

"This is one of the best stayers around and he'll show it next season when he's matured."