Racing: Showcause wins NZ Cup

Darryl Bradley rides Showcause to win the 147th New Zealand Cup. Photo / Getty Images

Frank Ritchie showed all his years of experience as a horse trainer producing Showcause to score a determined win in the (Group Three) $225,000 New Zealand Cup.

The 5-year-old got into the 3200m feature as a two-race winner but clearly excelled in the massive step up in racing distance lasting in a dogfight finish to defeat Titch and Zabene in a punishing finish.

The favourite Roi d'jeu had a dream sit in midfield throughout the running and loomed up to the leaders in the home stretch battling well into fourth position only a long head, nose and head from the winner.

Perhaps the rock hard racing surface did not assist the win claims of the favourite who excels in slightly easier footing.