Tavistock's Times Ticking Wins G3 Canterbury Gold Cup

Media Release - Saturday April 22

The combination of trainer Alby MacGregor, jockey Jacob Lowry and warhorse Times Ticking proved once again that Riccarton is their happy hunting ground when they combined to win the feature race of the day, the Gr.3 Coca Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m).

Times Ticking is clear in the Gr.3 Coca Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) Photo: Race Images South

The trio had taken out the main lead-up event to the weight-for-age contest seven days earlier when successful in the Listed Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m), although MacGregor wasn’t on course to cheer his champ home, preferring to do that from the comfort of his Opaki lounge that day.

MacGregor wasn’t missing Saturday’s live performance and he had plenty to be thankful for as Lowry produced another copybook ride to land the son of Tavistock an imperious two-length winner

Lowry had Times Ticking smoking his pipe in midfield for most of the race before defying the wide-running pattern of the day by cutting underneath runners on the home bend and saving many lengths.

Lowry shot his mount clear and the pair maintained their advantage to the finish line as they defeated a gallant Capo Dell Impero with Lightning Jack filling third.

For MacGregor it was the culmination of months of planning and an extremely satisfying result.

“It was a great thrill and we will definitely be enjoying ourselves tonight,” he said.

“We planned to come south for the two races and we have been lucky enough to win them both.

“He is a pretty durable and tough bugger and he showed that.

Advertisement

“I’ve got him back in a paddock now and he has his head in his feed bin, scoffing the lot so he looks like he will pull up pretty good from the race.”

MacGregor was pleased with how his charge travelled during the running but wasn’t too sure when he saw Lowry take an inside run coming to the home turn as the majority of winners on the day had swooped home down the outer of the track.

“He (Lowry) came back in and told me that we didn’t do everything to the plan but the horse was going that good he thought he might as well save as much ground as possible and put him right in the race,” MacGregor said.

“You could see when he was behind them, he was dying to get out and get going so I think it was the right thing to do as if he had of got held up it could have been a completely different result.

“He will have a few days off now as there is nothing left for him down here.

“He can go back home and we might look at another couple of runs, but he has done us proud and I can say without a word of a lie, there will be some celebrating tonight.”

Times Ticking has now made it back-to-back stakes victories and has ten wins from just 29 career starts, with prizemoney in excess of $316,000. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Tavistock Gelding Wins Listed Easter Cup
While he may not have been on-course to cheer home his pride and joy Times Ticking at Riccarton, trainer Alby MacGregor still made plenty of noise in his lounge at home in Opaki.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Times Ticking Wins G3 Trentham Stakes
Popular Opaki trainer Alby MacGregor was full of emotion as he welcomed his stable favourite Times Ticking back to the winners’ enclosure after a thrilling victory in the Gr.3 Mode Technology Trentham Stakes (2100m).