Eptimum wins Central Otago Cup

Media Release - Friday November 26

Former Hong Kong galloper Eptimum continued the resurrection of his racing career when victorious in the Clare Memorial Central Otago Cup (1220m) at Cromwell on Friday.

The seven-year-old gelding was quick out of the gates and settled outside leader Spring Blossom where he continued to apply pressure throughout.

Eptimum winning the Gr.3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in 2017. Photo: Mike Keating (Racing Photos)

The son of Snitzel kicked clear at the 200m mark and was able to withstand the late challenge of Goodanya to win by three-quarters of a lengths, with Redford a further 1-3/4 lengths back in third.

It was the second win from four starts for trainer and part-owner John Blackadder, who was duly rapt with the result.

“We knew Spring Blossom would lead but I was a bit surprised that he jumped so well and was sitting outside Spring Blossom,” Blackadder said.

“He just came away from them in the end.”

The Central Otago Cup wasn’t originally on the plans for Eptimum, but Blackadder elected to have a throw at the stumps on Friday after seeing the wet weather forecast.

“He was entered for the 65 1200m on Sunday,” he said. “I knew we were meant to get rain and he is not a wet tracker so I thought I would throw him in the open and he would get a light weight.

“I knew he was pretty smart, but to see him win today was great.

“I will see how he comes through today and if we don’t have any rain I might look at Sunday.”

Advertisement

Eptimum has continued to impress his trainer and now stakes targets are in the offing for the globetrotter.

“He will probably head to something like the Hazlett (Listed, 1200m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day,” Blackadder said.

“He is also nominated for the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m). If you don’t nominate, you can’t run.”

It won’t be the first stakes assignment for Eptimum, who tasted Group Three success on one of the biggest stages, when winning the Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day in 2017.

He was subsequently sold to Hong Kong where he failed to fire in 19 starts before he was retired to Dave Duley’s Landsdown Park in Waikato.

“He won a Group Three on Cox Plate Day as a three-year-old and then they sold him to Hong Kong and he didn’t cope with it,” Blackadder said.

“Dave Duley rang me one day and said ‘would you like a horse, he’s a seven-year-old and has been sitting in the paddock for 18 months’.

“I said ‘not really’, but after a month he said the horse was still there, so I rang Henry Gillies and he pre-trained him and away we have gone.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Clare Memorial Cntrl Otago Cup 1220m

Cromwell Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:12.56
1
Eptimum
- 7g Snitzel (AUS) x Paramount (AUS) (Monashee Mountain (USA))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: K Mudhoo 54
2
0.8
Goodanya
- 6g Zacinto (GB) x Anya (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: P D Harris Rdr: K Chowdhoory 54
3
2.6
Redford
- 7g Raise The Flag (GB) x Ruby Red (NZ) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: B Tapper & V Ramhit Rdr: Brandon May 54
4
3.6
Love Squirrels
- 6m Eurozone (AUS) x Mrs Vanderbilt (AUS) (Host (CHI))
Tnr: M J House Rdr: C W Johnson 55.5
5
3.7
Mamma Sans
- 7m Tavistock (NZ) x Tanzer (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: M E Cunneen Rdr: T R Moseley 54
6
4.5
Devious
- 6g Per Incanto (USA) x Angel Del Dinero (NZ) (My Halo (ARG))
Tnr: S Kennedy & A Furlong Rdr: D R Bothamley 58
7
4.8
Tellyawhat
- 8g Dalghar (FR) x Tudor Park (NZ) (Parkdale (GB))
Tnr: J C Blackadder Rdr: Ms K Williams 54
8
6.1
Earl Of Orkney
- 6g Burgundy (NZ) x Ambaarun (NZ) (Istidaad (USA))
Tnr: Ms S McKay Rdr: S Toolooa 51
9
6.6
The Good Shepherd
- 4g Power (GB) x Likeapins (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S D Blair-Edie Rdr: A Bohorun 52
10
12.6
Spring Blossom
- 6m Epaulette (AUS) x Beguile (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: N White & L Callaway Rdr: L Callaway 54
More Reading...
Seeking Slipper Success? Seek Sejardan
The Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes - the world's richest juvenile event and Australia's premier test of juvenile speed.
Change of Barrier Luck for Written By's Tale of the Gypsy
Lady Luck has finally smiled on talented filly Tale Of The Gypsy, who has been plagued by wide barriers throughout her short career to date.
Tara Talks Racing - Trials and Racing
This week we’re talking trials after an insightful set of official 2YO trials in Sydney, plus some racing and how Fangirl will eventually go to stud with two Group I wins less on her resume than there should be.
Flying Artie Filly Wins $100,000 Super Maiden for Ingham Family
Blue Gum Farm’s Flying Artie has a very strong crop of three year-olds running for him this season and a promising filly that can call $10million earner Fangirl ‘Aunt FannyG’ was his latest winner when scoring at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Tempted's Task is Tough in the Rose
There has been one lone filly win the Golden Rose but that was before it became a Group One, with the count since being zero.
2025 G1 Golden Rose Field and Barrier Draw
Godolphin filly Tempted will take on eight colts in a nine horse Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday where she retains favouritism after drawing barrier eight.
Third Trial Winner for Home Affairs – This Time New Zealand
Hot on the heels of siring two trial winners at Randwick on Monday at the official Sydney 2YO trials, Home Affairs produced an impressive trial winner at Te Rapa in New Zealand on Tuesday.
Well Bred Wootton Bassett Ready to Win
Regally bred colt Lydiard Park will have conditions more in his favour on Wednesday to add performance to his pedigree.
Spring Juvenile Contest at Otaki on Friday
Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell is excited about the prospects of his promising juvenile Singletary, and he is looking forward to kicking off his career in the Vets On Riverbank Two-Year-Old (800m) at his home track on Friday.
Obucci Breaks Through For Hanseatic At Sandown
With a last start second behind Frankel filly Chateau Eze who went on to record a Listed second at her next start in the Jim Maloney Stakes, the Phillip Stokes trained Hanseatic filly Obucci was sent out at double figure odds at Sandown on Wednesday, breaking her maiden by three parts of a length.