Titan Banner bolsters NZ Cup credentials
WESTWOOD Beach pacer Titan Banner cemented his New Zealand Cup chances with a crushing win in yesterday’s Methven Cup.
Such was the ease of trainer Graeme Anderson’s star pacer’s victory as he shrugged off the challenge of Dream About Me, driver Dexter Dunn sat almost motionless in the sulky with the group 3 race well in hand at the finish.
‘‘Dexter just tried to hold him together up the straight. The horse just slipped a little bit coming around the turn, or he could have won by more,’’ Anderson said.
The win not only firmed Titan Banner’s already solid cup chances but continued a dominant run on the path to the cup. The 6yrold has won three of the five traditional leadup races run so far.
His Methven Cup win added to his Maurice Holmes Vase and Hannon Memorial wins. The horse ran second in the New Brighton Cup to Have Faith In Me, but did not contest the Canterbury Classic, won by Lazarus.
Instead, Titan Banner had a week in the spelling paddock, which Anderson said had only seen him continue to thrive.
The horse is unlikely to start in Labour Day’s Ashburton Flying Stakes. Instead, he will target the Kaikoura Cup later this month.
‘‘I am 95% sure we will end up going to Kaikoura,’’ Anderson said.
Titan Banner’s win meant Otagotrained horses took both features on the Methven card.
Driver Matthew Williamson and Breenys Cullen won the feature fillies and mares trot for Kohika trainer Noel Taylor.
In a tough effort, the 6yrold held out the late bid of backmarker Habibti Ivy.
The hot form of Ryal Bush trotter Smokey Mac continued at Gore on Saturday.
AThe 4yrold made it three wins and a second from four starts this season with a frontrunning victory in race 9 in the hands of Brent Barclay.
Trainer Brett Gray and
Barclay also combined to win race 11 and were among several to bag training or driving doubles on the programme.
Whiterig trainer Ross Wilson scored wins with Bridesdale Robyn in race 2 and El Dinero in race 10.
Bridesdale Robyn continued the winning legacy of her dam, Robyn’s Treasure. The Christian Cullen filly is the last of 10 foals left by the New Zealand Oakswinning mare.
El Dinero is from the same family: his granddam, Maree Robyn, is a half sister to Robyn’s Treasure.
Branxholme horseman Nathan Williamson scored a training and driving double with Fira Sunsett in race 1 and Scarlett Lane in race 5.
Invercargill trainer Alister Black and driver Brad Williamson won with Lawrence in race 6 and Six Diamonds in race 8.