Notabadspillane seeking NZ Cup redemption
Cambridge gelding Notabadspillane (NZ) (Time Test) finished runner-up in last year’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m), and trainer Shaun Phelan is hoping he can go one better in this year’s edition at Riccarton on Saturday.
They were met by winter-like conditions last year, but will have better footing this weekend, with the track upgraded to a Soft7 on Friday morning, and Phelan was buoyed by Notabadspillane’s last-start winning effort on a Good4 track at Ellerslie over 2200m last month.
“I am really happy with him. He has travelled down well,” Phelan said. “He came down last year and he is obviously a bit more used to the place now and he has probably travelled down better than last year.
“He has proven he can run the distance out. It was on a really wet track last year, but I am a bit more confident with his win last start at Ellerslie on a Good track. He showed a good turn of foot that day.
“He has never won right-handed before, so he is definitely in his best form.”
Phelan is expecting a bold showing third-up on Saturday, where he will carry 53.5kg from barrier five, with Elen Nicholas in the saddle.
“It is a pretty similar prep to last year,” Phelan said. “We didn’t run in the Metro (Listed, 2590m) last year and he ran about fourth before he came down. Third-up is usually his best run.
“His is pretty well-weighted and hopefully he can get a nice, cosy trip. He will probably get back a bit, so he will need a bit of luck, but as long as they run a decent staying contest, he will be running on strong.”
Notabadspillane is rated a $17 winning chance by TAB bookmakers for the New Zealand Cup, in a market headed by Australian raider Athabascan (Almanzor) at $3.80, with Metropolitan Trophy winner Just Charlie (NZ) (Zed) on the second line of betting at $6.
Phelan said Notabadspillane will likely head to the paddock and enjoy some sun on his back following Saturday’s run before he maps out further plans in the new year.
