Mitchell has Newcomer to Training Award in sights

With just three weeks left to go in the season, the race for the Gavelhouse.com Newcomer to Training Award is coming down to the wire, with a handful of trainers still in contention.

Southland trainer Ebony Turner is currently leading the standings on nine points, with Matamata horseman Benji King nipping at her heels on eight points, while Canterbury trainers Samantha Wynne and Nayton Mitchell are one point further adrift in joint third position.

Mitchell finds himself in a similar position to last year, having equalled last season's tally of eight wins, and while he came up shy of winning the title last year, he is hopeful of getting his hands on the prize this term.

“We are pleased with the way the season has gone,” Mitchell said. “It is very similar to last year where we were within firing range as well (of the Newcomer to Training Award).”

The West Melton horseman still has plenty of bullets left in the chamber and may improve his position at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday where he will be represented by half a dozen runners.

“Most of them are knocking on the door, so it is just going to come down to luck now,” Mitchell said.

Baggio (NZ) (War Decree) will kick-off the day for Mitchell in the Riccarton Park Function Centre Maiden (2200m), where he will be vying to score an elusive victory following two consecutive placings.

“He is a super honest horse,” Mitchell said. “He is a long time maiden, but he is always there or thereabouts. He will have his day sometime soon, he is pretty genuine, and I think the step up to 2200m will suit him.”

Dimaggio (NZ) (Almanzor) is also a last start placegetter and he will be out to improve on that result in The Pavillion Opening November 2026 Open (1200m).

“It is hard to find suitable races for a horse like him at the moment, he is not good on a wet track, but he does love the synthetic,” Mitchell said. “It will probably be a bit short for him, but he has finished runner-up over the distance before.”

Three-win mare Wren (NZ) (Vespa) will be seeking to add to her tally in the Grand National Tickets On Sale Now Rating 65 (1600m) where she will be reunited with leading apprentice jockey Amber Riddell, who will lighten her impost to 55kg.

“She is so honest and she loves her racing, so we are keeping the racing up to her,” Mitchell said. “Amber was the last one to win on her, so she is back on.”

Mitchell will also be represented by Hot Coco (NZ) (War Decree) in the Group 1 Raceday Party – 12 September Rating 65 (1200m) and Go Pro (NZ) (Tivaci) and Rekindle (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in the Red Nose Raceday – 23 July Maiden (1600m).

“Hot Coco had no luck fresh-up,” Mitchell said. “I don’t know what we will do from the barrier (11), but she should be there or thereabouts.

“I thought Go Pro would step up to 2200m really well but he didn’t see it out (last start). He was a lot handier with the side winkers on, so I think he will be pretty sharp.

“Rekindle is much the same, I think the step back to 1600m will suit.”

Looking ahead to next season, Mitchell is excited about the prospects of his team, particularly rising five-year-old gelding Kids Got Gears (Magnus).

“We have got a really nice team for the spring, we have got some really nice young horses,” he said.

“I think Kids Got Gears is going to be a promising horse. He put on 60 kilos over his spell and he is back in the stable now. He is a big horse and he is finally furnishing and I think we will see him do something cool next season.”