Coniston claims Sarten Memorial

Coniston (NZ)(Wootton Bassett) got his Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) campaign back on track at Te Rapa on Labour Day when claiming the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m).

The son of Wootton Bassett wasn’t wanted by punters following his last placed finish over 1400m at Hastings a fortnight ago, with the market dominated by Te Akau Racing’s unbeaten colt System Of Play (Ole Kirk).

Coniston was only fair away, but jockey Joe Doyle was able to navigate his charge into a handy position three back in the running line behind last-start stakes winner Justin Case (NZ) (Banquo), with the Andrew Forsman-trained Lassified (Stay Inside) setting a hot tempo upfront.

Lassified and Whistlejacket (NZ) (Proisir) continued to put the pedal to the metal and entered the home straight two lengths in advance of Justin Case, with Coniston a further three lengths off the pace. Justin Case soon loomed up alongside the leaders before hitting the lead, and Coniston began his late surge.

Cambridge Stud filly Joyeuse (NZ) (Sword Of State) hugged the rail and presented as a late challenge, but Justin Case continued to rally, and Coniston only just managed to nab him in the shadow of the post to win by a head, with 1-3/4 lengths back to Joyeuse in third.

Andrew Scott, who trains Coniston in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan, said they ruled a line through his last start, and he was rapt to see him bounce back and notch his first stakes win on Monday.

“You look at the sectionals (last start), and he was the second quickest in the last 600m, and it was just a non-event. It was an expensive track gallop unfortunately,” he said.

“Today we wanted to be positive. He wasn’t brilliant away, but he recovered into a rhythm. He trained really well coming in.

“It is pleasing for the team, they put him away through the winter when we were tempted to run, and they are getting the spoils now.”

Scott believes Coniston will handle the step up to a mile in next month’s New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

“Hopefully he cracks on down at Christchurch, he has got a good, long gallop in him and he seemed to handle the Good ground here today,” he said.

“If it was a mile today, he would have run it out strong by the looks of it. He will only improve with a good hit-out today. It is the first time he has hit top gear and made to do it and bite his bottom lip and keep going. There should be a good bit of improvement out of today.”

Doyle also believes Coniston will thrive over 1600m, and while he has several options heading into the Riccarton Classic, he said Coniston is now in pole position.

“He felt like he would eat the mile there today. I think he will improve a little bit off it too. He got the right run today,” Doyle said.

“It was bad tactics last time, they went slow and he pulled hard. I said to Lance and Scotty before getting on him that I didn’t want to have an argument with this horse today, and it worked out lovely.

“There are a few balls in the air but it’s very hard to get off him (for the 2000 Guineas) I would say.”

Scott was also pleased with the way stablemate Rip Tide finished into fourth and said he will also head down to take his place in the 2000 Guineas.

“He made up a lot of ground, which is hard to do today, and he looks like he is on track too,” Scott said. “There are a couple of nice chances hopefully going down in three weeks’ time.”

Following Monday’s win, Coniston has shortened into a $5 equal favourite for the 2000 Guineas, alongside the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Excite (Wootton Bassett), who won over a mile at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Former 2000 Guineas favourite System Of Play, who finished sixth in the Sarten Memorial, has now drifted in the market from $3.50 to $6, while Rip Tide (NZ) (Ocean Park) has shortened into $10.