Racing: Maygrove outstays Cup field

Maygrove, left, hangs on to win the Counties Cup yesterday. Photo / Trish Dunell

Tough as teak stayer Maygrove produced a never say die effort to take out the group three Counties Cup (2100m) in a thrilling four-way finish yesterday.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained grey had to lump the equal topweight of 60kg and give weight to all bar stablemate Saint Emilion in the Pukekohe feature, a fact that had his connections concerned about just how effective he could be in the contest.

"We didn't expect him to win with the weight," said Bruce Perry, speaking on behalf of owner Lib Petagna, after the race.

"He's just so game, he's brilliant.

"At one stage Murray wasn't going to come here as the horse doesn't like going this way around, but we thought the good thing would be he might run some rating points off which would make him competitive next time."

Despite the dire predictions class shone through as Maygrove, aided by a gun ride from Johnathan Parkes, produced his very best to down Five To Midnight by a short head with local galloper Promise To Reign just a long head away in third from the fast finishing Francis Drake who finished a similar margin away in fourth.

The win was Maygrove's ninth career victory with five having come at stakes level including the group two Wellington Cup in 2015 and group two Awapuni Gold Cup last year.

Meanwhile, Central Districts visitor Sensible Princess sprang an upset when she downed a quality line-up of fillies and mares in the group two NRM Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1400m).

Despite boasting an impeccable formline of four wins from her last five starts, the daughter of Street Sense and capable race mare Cape Princess was making her first attempt at the elite level, a challenge that she took comfortably in her stride.

Handled perfectly by leading rider Chris Johnson, Sensible Princess tracked nicely into the race to issue her challenge early in the home straight at Pukekohe.

Leading fancy Francaletta had assumed control at this point and looked set for victory, however, in his usual imperturbable fashion, Johnson urged his mount for a supreme effort which saw her drive to the lead as the pair hit the finish line.

"She travelled nicely in the run and about halfway I came out three wide," said Johnson.

"I didn't know if she had quite got up, but she obviously got her nose in front at the right time."

- NZ Racing Desk