Where there will be thousands on the second Tuesday in November there were about 11 spectators when Kiwi NZ Cup hopes AKUTA and CHASE A DREAM had a hit out at Addington on Saturday but those numbers meant nothing to them.
Akuta (outer) and Chase a Dream break 28 under wraps at Addington
Set to run a 2.58 2400 on terms home in 58 they easily beat the latter figure full of running in what suggested Akuta could join stablemate Oscar Bonavena as again a grass track giant in the Methven Cup next Sunday.
Oscar was a supporting act on Saturday running 3200m in 4.40 home in better than the planned 64 but it was all required and he romped it.
“To be honest he is really here because the others are and it is more convenient to bring him” Mark said of Oscar who continues to thrive since his magical performance at Motukarara on the way to the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup on October 10.
Two year old Special Occasion and filly Wat Next,both with major targets coming up, were also in action, Special Occasion working sharply with the talented Ross Houghton-trained Incentivise one of those from the Houghton base at Dancingonmoonlight Farm who accompanied the Purdon racing team and Midnight Miki had some solid exercise without being set a time target.
Special Occasion and Incentivise were set to run 2400 quickening with quarters in 31 and faster with the 800m in 59. Thy beat that assessment the last 400 in better than 28 with Special Occasion showing out. Good work from both youngsters both ready to make their mark in the coming weeks.
Incentivise and Special Occasion lock horns in the last 200m
Wat Next went with a GP sprinting home in 28 and well held in the process. She is thriving.
Chase a Dream and Akuta were there for more serious tasks and did not disappoint. They trailed a Gp before sprinting from the top of the straight. Both had something in reserve but there was no doubting the more seasoned Akuta was the eye catcher stripping in magnificent order.
Wat Next runs a sharp 28 on her own from GP
“Not Bad Eh?” Akuta looks pleased with himself returning to the barn