Ready to Run Graduate wins G3 New Zealand Cup

Media Release - Monday November 14

Kevin Myers’ stable successfully defended its crown in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) with rising staying star Aljay prevailing in a driving finish at Riccarton dominated by Central Districts raiders.

The Wanganui trainer had triumphed in last year’s edition of the Martin Collins-sponsored feature with Mondorani, who was unplaced in his title defence behind his younger barnmate.

Aljay winning the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m). Photo: Race Images South

He was able to celebrate a narrow victory as also a co-owner with great friend Charlie Gestro after Aljay repelled a stern challenge over the concluding stages by former stablemate Inmyshadow.

Myers originally prepared the son of Ferlax before he generously gifted him to his nephew Ashley Meadows, who trains at Awapuni, as a replacement for a group of owners after their first horse unfortunately broke down.

Aljay has now won four of his 17 starts and with a further eight minor placings has pushed his career earnings over the $260,000 mark.

The five-year-old settled back in the field before jockey Tina Comignaghi picked up ground before the turn and, after hitting the front 300m from home, held out the challenge of Inmyshadow to score by 0.2 lengths.

“It was a 10 out of 10 ride by Tina, she kicked clear and then my cousin’s horse came late so Dad would have been sweating at home that he might have given away the winner,” said Myers’ son Jason, who was in charge of the team at Riccarton.

“It was good to get one over on Ashley as there had been a bit of talk back and forward over the last couple of months.”

Aljay had been a winner on the course in Rating 75 company during the winter and the son of Rock ‘N’ Pop subsequently posted three placings before he finished a close second in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2500m) on the first day at Riccarton.

“We were confident heading into the Metropolitan and we were beaten by a horse (Campionsessa) that got the better run in the race,” Myers said.

“Tina just bided her time today and presented him at the top of the straight and the horse was really good.

Advertisement

“It’s been a long week and we’ve been a bit unlucky with a few, but we got the one we wanted.”

Comignaghi has enjoyed a successful association with the stable for some time and said everything fell perfectly into place for Aljay.

“We got a perfect run, we never lost any momentum and the horse gave plenty. It’s a big race and one I’ve always wanted to win and it’s great, Kevin has always supported me.”

Aljay and Inmyshadow had the finish to themselves with the Paul Moseley-prepared Mauna Loa more than 6.5 lengths back in third ahead of Starrybeel, who boxed on for fourth after enjoying a good run.

A memorable family double at Riccarton was also completed by Aljay as his half-brother is the former top jumper Tallyho Twinkletoe.

He was prepared by Myers to win last year’s Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) off the back of his lead-up victory in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m).

The son of St Reims was also successful in multiple prestige steeplechases in Australia when in the care of Victorian trainer Patrick Payne.

Out of the six-time winner Albacora, the half-siblings were bred by Ardsley Stud’s Jim Wallace with Aljay originally purchased as a weanling for $10,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s May Sale by Waterford Bloodstock.

He was then reoffered under the Ardsley banner at the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka where Myers secured him for $39,000. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Martin Collins 159th N.Z. Cup Gr3 3200m

Riccarton Park Track: Dead(5) Time: 3:22.27
1
Aljay
- 5g Rock 'n' Pop (AUS) x Albacora (NZ) (Lord Ballina (AUS))
Tnr: K T Myers Rdr: A Comignaghi 55
2
0.2
Inmyshadow
- 6g Ferlax (NZ) x Regarded (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: A J Meadows Rdr: M K Hudson 57
3
6.7
Mauna Loa
- 7g Nom Du Jeu (NZ) x City Class Rose (NZ) (City On A Hill (USA))
Tnr: P R Moseley Rdr: S L Wynne 54
4
7.5
Starrybeel
- 8g Savabeel (AUS) x Starry (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M J Mc Nab 58
5
9.8
Leaderboard
- 8g Street Cry (IRE) x Flower Fairy (USA) (Dynaformer (USA))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: C Zackey 56.5
6
10.0
Quota
- 5m Makfi (GB) x Catch The Day (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: J L Rathbone Rdr: S C Spratt 54
7
10.4
Asathought
- 6m So You Think (NZ) x Asavant (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Ms L Vaughan Rdr: J D Laking 58
8
11.6
Finest Wine
- 5m Tavistock (NZ) x Songbird (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: D G Greene Rdr: L J Allpress 54
9
11.8
Mondorani
- 8g Burgundy (NZ) x Del Mondo (USA) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: K T Myers Rdr: S J O'Malley 55.5
10
13.7
Daytona Red
- 9g Sebring (AUS) x Move On Up (AUS) (Iglesia (AUS))
Tnr: N P Bishara Rdr: D G Bradley 55
11
14.0
Brookbourne
- 5g Ekraar (USA) x Shinead (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: R Beemud 54
12
17.8
Jack Knows Best
- 6g Ghibellines (AUS) x Structure (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: L M Robinson Rdr: D W Stackhouse 54.5
13
18.7
Ekstrememiss
- 7m Cape Blanco (IRE) x Ekstreme (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: L J Stewart Rdr: G A Jogoo 54
14
19.2
Beaudz Well
- 6g Zed (NZ) x Celtic Rose (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: J R Wheeler Rdr: Rohan Mudhoo 54.5
15
20.9
Heidi Hi
- 6m Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Hormones (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: Ms K Williams 54
16
22.1
Hit The Road Jack
- 6g Jakkalberry (IRE) x Ististar (NZ) (Istidaad (USA))
Tnr: S C Phelan Rdr: R T Elliot 59
17
45.2
Leitrim Lad
- 6g Tavistock (NZ) x Lia (NZ) (Oratorio (IRE))
Tnr: E P Green Rdr: T R Moseley 54
18
56.9
Wannabe 'n' Paris
- 6m Reliable Man (GB) x Wannabe Queen (USA) (Bernstein (USA))
Tnr: P D Harris Rdr: K Chowdhoory 54
More Reading...
Youngsters Impress Leading into Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale
The build up to the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale has intensified with a swag of impressive breeze up performances over the past week.
2YO Stakes Racing – Sale Mail
Three stakes races for new season juveniles add plenty of interest to a stellar day of racing this Saturday in Sydney and Melbourne, so let’s take a look at the Sale Mail for these races.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
Goffs Orby Day 2 - Trio of Million Dollar Yearling Fillies
The second day of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale took off overnight with three individual yearlings selling for a million or more with the full sister to dual Group I winning champion 2YO Colt Blackbeard selling for €1.9 million to MV Magnier.
Four Winners for Dennis
Local trainer Robert Dennis won half of the eight-race card at Ascot Park on Friday, culminating with a special win by Sir Sterling in the Vale Tony Dennis (1400m).
Who Was Flight?
A G1 race since 1984, the Flight Stakes is a race won by special fillies - often the ones who go on to do extraordinary things on the track against all comers as older mares and that's as it should be as Hall Of Fame legend Flight exemplified that style of thoroughbred.
Mogumber Park hoists wet sail with Marine One
This time last year, the first foals by Mogumber Park stallion Marine One were widely regarded as some of the best types on the ground in Western Australia.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 3
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
Recent success highlights Inglis Digital October (Early) Sale
A range of exciting racing and breeding prospects – as well as a number of in-form racehorses and shares in Stakes winners – headline the Inglis Digital October (Early) Online Sale.