Sulcifera gunning for tilt at Wellington Cup

CANTERBURY stayer Sulcifera could be aimed at the Wellington Cup if she performs well at Wingatui today.

The Danny Champion and Kezia Murphytrained mare will start in race 2 today for the first time since winning in premier company over 2600m at the New Zealand Cup carnival. Sulcifera will meet an even lineup of rating 72 horses over 2200m.

Should the 5yrold Red Giant mare perform well and receive rating penalties for placing in the race, it could be enough to put her in Wellington Cup contention, Champion said.

‘‘We will see how she pulls through and if we are lucky enough to get points, then it might help us get into Wellington Cup.

‘‘We have still got the Dunedin Gold Cup and the Riverton Cup if she doesn’t get in — we will just take each race as it comes.

‘‘She is a genuine stayer with a bit of class with her.

Showing her best at her home track of Riccarton and racing away from home are two entirely different challenges for Sulcifera.

That is the main concern for her trainers ahead of today’s race.

‘‘She has always had a serious tyingup issue; we got her right on [New Zealand] Cup day,’’ Champion said.

‘‘She is a serious horse when she is right, but it is just getting her right.

‘‘Her work has been good. We laid off her for a week after cup week, and we haven’t really screwed her down.

‘‘But she has been in work a while.’’

Champion and Murphy also start Sulu Sulu in race 7 and Adriano in race 8.

Sweet Orange filly Sulu Sulu has her first start as a 3yrold in maiden company over 1400m.

‘‘She is something to look forward to, more so for the Warstep Stakes — we are going to aim her at that.

‘‘She is a really nice filly. The trip away for the first time is going to do her good.’’

Adriano went a fair race for 8 at Cromwell earlier this month.

He will be a better horse when stepping up to 2000m and further, Champion said.

North Taieri trainers Brian and Shane Anderton have a bumper team of 20 starters in seven races in today’s meeting.

With up to four horses in some races, the White Robe Lodge trainers look at short odds to score a win today.

‘‘Hopefully we can get a winner — it would be a bit embarrassing if we can’t get one with 20 horses,’’ Shane Anderton quipped.

The Anderton’s team is largely made up of maidens, who they hope can go on to better things after stepping out for the first time.

‘‘It is on our back doorstep and it’s a good chance for a lot of them to kick off.’’

Raise Ya Cards could start the Anderton stable off on a good note in race 1.

The galloper has gone two sound races in large fields from wide draws recently.

With just seven rivals, rider Corey Campbell should not be faced with too many traffic problems.