Racing: Second best Showcause may go one better in Sydney Cup

Darryl Bradley. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Beaten Auckland Cup favourite Showcause could still seek a group one consolation prize across the Tasman in this campaign.

Minutes after the gutsy chestnut banked $175,000 for a gallant second to Titch at Ellerslie yesterday, Cambridge trainer Frank Ritchie was content to stay on the fence about short-term plans.

However he conceded that the gelding's syndicate is keen to follow through with nominations for the weight-for-age BMW and A$500,000 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 23.

"I never say raceday either way about future plans, but I know some of the syndicate is keen to go," said Ritchie.

"I don't think he's a weight-for-age horse for a second, but if he's going to have a lead-in to the Sydney Cup, that might be the right race."

With the New Zealand Cup, City of Auckland Cup and Avondale Cup already in the cabinet, Ritchie also has his sights on Flemington's most famous silverware on the first Tuesday in November.

"I'm most interested in knowing now where he might sit in the qualification order," said Ritchie.

"We already know there is no problem with the distance."

Ritchie was rapt with the run yesterday and couldn't fault Darryl Bradley's ride on the New Zealand stayer of the season contender. The pair looked the winner on the turn when they swept into contention wider out.

But they couldn't find the sprint to pick up Opie Bosson and Titch who had the more economical trip.

"He had to do a little bit more work than the winner but that's the way he has to be ridden," said Ritchie.

"You can't ride him closer to the speed because he can't peel off and go whoosh."

Bradley said everything went to plan until the pace quickened appreciably with 1000m to run.

By the time he'd got Showcause back on the bit he had to shuffle around a wall of horses to get in a challenging position.

"Turning in I still thought I'm on a winner. I got within one length of Titch and thought, 'this is it', but Titch was just too strong.

"But I couldn't be happier with his performance and all credit to Frank, he's done a fantastic job."

Third-placed Castle Heights tried bravely close-up nearer the fence, leaving Ruakaka co-trainer Donna Logan wondering what she has to do to win her first Cup.

She saddled Tin Goose to fill the same slot last year as a despised outsider and rated the mare unlucky when eighth yesterday, a little more than four lengths adrift of the winner.

"She probably should have been ridden a bit handier but it's easy to say that afterward," said Logan.

She will also look for staying consolation prizes across the Tasman now with both runners.

But she's likely to dodge the world's best stayers in Melbourne in the spring in favour of easier country cups pickings.

"We'll learn a great deal out of that and it'll take us a few steps further," she said. "I always thought Castle Heights would get two miles and today proved that he's not out of that league.

"Tin Goose is just an out-and-out two-miler."