Racing: Kiwi Ingenuity too good for Changeover

Kiwi Ingenuity has gone from New Zealand Trotting Cup enigma to favourite in under three minutes.

And she did so by crushing defending Cup champion Changeover at the Ashburton workouts yesterday.

The national mile record holder won the main 2400m workout by 8 lengths in a quick 2:59.5, her last 800m in 55.5 seconds.

While those sectionals are nothing sensational on the lighting fast Ashburton circuit, the way she dealt to Changeover has seen her move into $4 equal favouritism for the Cup.

After stepping fast to lead yesterday, Kiwi Ingenuity held out Changeover when he came looking for the lead inside the first 800m and then cruised over her last mile in 1:56 for a dramatic victory.

Changeover, starting just four days after a controversial scratching at Addington, faded to fourth after working hard early from his 30m handicap and is certain to drift in Cup markets.

Kiwi Ingenuity has been the dark horse of the Cup meeting since the market opened a month ago because North Canterbury trainer Robbie Holmes had been loathe to declare her a certain starter, reserving the Miracle Mile as another option.

But that changed yesterday.

"After that I'd have to say she is almost certain to start in the Cup," said Holmes.

"To be honest I was pleased with her performance but not surprised because she has been working the place down.

"But what really pleased me was the way she stepped.

"She had been good in a few trials without many horses around her but today she was amongst them at the start and stood like a statue.

"That is a big deal so if she races we as well as we hope on Monday she will be going to the Cup."

That path to the Cup leads through Ashburton on Monday where Kiwi Ingenuity will start a red hot favourite in a six-win and faster handicap over 2400m.

She probably needs to win that to totally seal her Cup spot but that looks a formality, even though she may clash with Stunin Cullen, who also starred at yesterday's workouts.

The TAB have always kept Kiwi Ingenuity tight in their Cup markets and moved her in from $6 immediately after yesterday's workout.

While the Cup looked a big ask for such an inexperienced mare just a month ago the $1 million classic has started to fall away.

Auckland Reactor and Blacks A Fake are out, Interdominion champ Mr Feelgood is struggling with the New Zealand racing style and nothing has gone right for Changeover.

So a comprehensive victory on Monday, depending on what happens in the Flying Stakes the same day, could see Kiwi Ingenuity promoted to clear Cup favourite.