Racing: Win ups ante for Cup

My Scotsgrey is likely to start favourite for the New Zealand Cup next Saturday after a grinding win in the Group Three Gold Club Metropolitan Trophy (2500m) at Riccarton yesterday.

My Scotsgrey, who finished seventh in last year's Victoria Derby, beat a game Zabene by half a length with three-quarters of a length back to Smoking Chimneys.

Trainer Shaune Ritchie said some of My Scotsgrey's indifferent early season form was because of unsuitable races. He hit form last start at Ellerslie winning over 2400m.

"He is a dead set genuine old Kiwi stayer," said Ritchie.

He joked that his only worry in the NZ Cup was that it might not be far enough for the 4-year-old Golan gelding.

Jockey Leith Innes hunted My Scotsgrey up on the pace.

"Leith said he wanted to get around them early because he knew he would keep finding the line."

- NZPA