Beast building nicely towards New Zealand Cup

New Zealand Cup contender Unleash The Beast (NZ) (Eminent) continues to surprise trainer Kenny Moore as the progressive stayer builds towards his major spring target at Riccarton.

The Rangiora-trained five-year-old has provided Moore and his connections with his share of challenges during his 24-start career, but his current preparation has unfolded almost perfectly.

The son of Eminent recorded the fifth win of his career at Riccarton a fortnight ago, overcoming a slow start and conditions that Moore had expected to count against him.

“I was really surprised by that, because it’s a kind of track he’s never been really comfortable on throughout his entire career to date,” Moore said.

After missing the jump, Unleash The Beast was sent forward and swept around the field to take up the running after 600m.

Despite having Balance Of Power and What She Wants stalking him from favourable positions, Unleash The Beast continued to find in the straight and drew clear late to score by a length.

“I loved the way he flattened out and refused to lie down,” Moore said.

“He’s just got that great will to win about him, which is really exciting for what we’re looking at going forward.”

The Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November is firmly in Moore’s sights, while the Wellington and Auckland Cups could also come into consideration later in the season.

“We’ve achieved what we wanted to through the first few starts,” he said.

“Things are getting a little more serious now, the closer we get to Cup Week, but we’re on the right track.”

Unleash The Beast will take his next step towards the New Zealand Cup when he contests Saturday’s open handicap over 2000m at Riccarton.

His rating of 79 leaves him well placed in the weights, although Moore is respectful of a field headed by accomplished galloper Riviera Rebel.

“It looks like another really nice race for him, and with a great horse like Riviera Rebel in there, it helps our cause a whole lot,” Moore said.

“That said, it’s a tough field, so we’ll need to be good to win again. But he’s bounced through the last run really well and I’m very happy with him.”

Mereana Hudson will again take the ride, continuing her association with the gelding.

Providing Unleash The Beast comes through Saturday in good order, Moore plans to give him one further lead-up over 2200m at Timaru early next month.

However, the trainer believes the limited number of staying races in Canterbury makes preparing a horse for the 3200m New Zealand Cup more difficult than it needs to be.

“We’ve got this week, and then he can race over 2200m at Timaru early in October, but that’s it,” Moore said.

“The Timaru race is the only one for open handicappers beyond 2000m between this week and Cup Week, which is a bit frustrating when you are trying to get a horse ready for a two-mile race.”

Unleash The Beast’s encouraging preparation has also been reflected in the New Zealand Cup market, with the gelding firming from an opening quote of $18 to $10.

Rosso currently heads the market at $4.50, while With Grace has also attracted significant support, shortening from $31 to $10.