Slow burner Pacifico aiming for winning Cup send-off
Pacifico (NZ) (Ardrossan) has always possessed the talent to make his mark at a high level, and it’s been patience that has been the key to him fulfilling that potential this preparation.
The rising six-year-old has enjoyed a lucrative season, which will draw to a close in Saturday’s Paul McGlade Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Te Rapa.
The son of Ardrossan has won three of his last seven starts, including success in the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) and finished third in the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m).
“He showed ability right from the start, but disappointed us a bit early on and he’s needed a fair bit of time to mature,” trainer Andrew Forsman said.
Pacifico most recently finished third in The Winter Series Stayers’ Final (2100m) under apprentice Tom Wigram, who will again take the ride on Saturday, with his claim to reduce the gelding’s impost to 58kg.
“He’s going really well and is one of those horses that every time you think he’s found his level, he takes another step,” Forsman said.
“He’s got quite high in the handicap quite quickly, Tom rode him really well at Ellerslie and a slower track will make the claim more effective.
“We’ve kept him a bit fresh for Saturday, he’s had a long season but it’s a decent stake ($100,000) and probably the right sort of race to have one more go at.”
Stablemate Quondo has also been in great touch and will bid to complete a hat-trick of wins when he runs in the Property Brokers Taumarunui 3YO (1400m).
The son of Wootton Bassett, who finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) last spring, has been victorious at Matamata and Tauranga since resuming from a break.
“It’s his last opportunity to run against his own age group so that’s a big plus,” Forsman said.
“We’ll see how he performs on Saturday, he is thriving and looks really well, and we’ll race on at this stage, but we have no set plans.”
The stable has also accepted with a quartet of runners at Te Aroha on Sunday with Black Diamond (Racing Te Aroha Calf Syndicate Maiden,1400m) looking the pick of them after an encouraging start to her career.
The El Roca filly has placed in both of her appearances at Rotorua and Avondale, although Forsman is in two minds about her involvement.
“She has drawn poorly and we are 50-50 whether she runs, if the forecast is right the track will be very testing so there’s a question mark if she goes there,” he said.
