Racing: Weather worry for Cup fancy

Showcause and jockey Darryl Bradley. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Auckland's weather pattern leading into the $1 million Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on Wednesday afternoon is the only concern for Cambridge trainer Frank Ritchie.

Ritchie is the trainer of in-form stayer Showcause - a course specialist - and one runner that will carry plenty of support into the Group One feature.

Showcause was due to have a final track gallop before the Auckland Cup at Cambridge today and Ritchie cannot be happier with the fitness of his stable star.

"He's very well at the moment and is ready to run out a strong 3200m. The only worry I have is the weather in Auckland and how much damage will be done to the track after the racing and rain from derby day," said Ritchie.

"The forecast for Wednesday is a lot better and that's a positive. This horse has done everything I have asked of him. He races well at Ellerslie and he's carrying good form into the Auckland Cup."

Ritchie was on course yesterday as a part-owner of New Zealand Derby runner Hidden Asset who is trained by his son, Shaune.

Showcause has been in superb form this season having won the New Zealand, Avondale and City Of Sails Cups.

Showcause has scored four wins and three placings from eight starts at Ellerslie.

Showcause was asked to do a stack of work in his last-start when winning the Avondale Cup racing three wide from the start before working forward to sit outside the leader for the closing 1400m.

The most pleasing aspect of the gelding's last-start victory at Ellerslie was the fact that promising sit-sprint mare Innocent Lady tracked him in every stride and struggled to reel him in.

"Yes we've given him a few runs at Ellerslie and it's just the way things have panned out that we've placed him well enough to knock over a couple of Group Two races.

"He actually races a lot better on the bigger roomier tracks like Riccarton and Wellington and it was only the wet track that tripped him up in the Wellington Cup.

"And it's the track conditions that will again be the main concern in the big two mile race."

Rtchie's two sons, trainers Shaune and Craig, will saddle up runners in the $1 million feature.

Shaune will start Roi d'jeu and Craig Solid Billing.

Other form runners include Mr Tipsy, Innocent Lady and Passchendaele. The field is.-

9 AUCKLAND CUP GROUP 15.52

$1000000.00, opn hcp, 3200m

124747Capecover td (14) 57(106) D Walker

241388Tinseltown t (18) 56.5(104)

301003Mr Tipsy tm (17) 55(102) J McDonald (a)

447427Six O'Clock News tm (16) 55(102) L Innes

511216Titch tmb (3) 54.5(101) O Bosson

674990Solid Billing d (19) 54(102)

718191Showcause td (15) 53(101)

83X523Passchendaele (9) 53(99) M Du Plessis

952210Cassini (20) 52(96)

1063076Castle Heights t (6) 52(94)

1189103Fazza m (13) 52(94)

1244811Roi d'jeu m (4) 51(94)

1388244Can't Keeper Down (8) 51(90)

1411572Innocent Lady tm (11) 51(90)

1572625Trilogy m (21) 51(89)

1646454Back In Black (2) 51(88)

1730040Tin Goose t (7) 51(88)

1866800Zabene (1) 51(88)

1912369He's Under The Gun m (10) 51(86)

2003310Payback t (12) 51(80)

2117604Mr Zatopek (5) 51(76)

Emergencies: He's Under The Gun, Payback, Mr Zatopek