Manning pumps up volume for NZ Cup

Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning turned up the heat on New Zealand Cup rivals with Pump Up The Volume’s Feilding Cup win at Awapuni yesterday.

The Savabeel gelding powered down the Awapuni straight under apprentice jockey Emily Farr to reel in the leaders and Listed feature.

Farr successfully mixes jumps and flat riding.

The win was the biggest of her flat career with the chance of an even bigger one if she retains the ride at Riccarton.

‘‘It’s wonderful and I’ve had a lot of support and I feel very privileged,’’ win the $50,000 Farr said.

She settled Pump Up The Volume toward the back of the field before picking up ground across the top.

He sustained finish to post the seventh win of his 50 start career.

Alinko Prince acquitted himself well to finish second in his open class debut, as did Five To Midnight, who rallied strongly after going to the front 600 metres out.

‘‘He’s better coming on the outside than through the field,’’ said Farr, who won last season’s Hawke’s Bay Hurdles on Just Got Home.

‘‘He was always travelling well and I was fairly confident of winning because I know he always finishes off in his races.’’

Pump Up The Volume won at his sole 3200m test in the Chalmers Handicap at Trentham carrying 58kg which augurs well for the NZ Cup.

A canny Timothy was the winning of Bowl (1400m).

On a day when on speed was the place to be, apprentice Johnson used the Gary Vile-trained mare Johnson ride the Redcraze Miss Appleton’s natural pace and light weight to set the opposition a merry chase.

‘‘I said to Tim to run it like a 1200 and he rode her beautifully,’’ Vile said.

Johnson controlled the race form in front-running the distance in 1:23.29 carrying 52kg and with the mare winning beyond 1200m for the first time.

The Mike Breslin-trained topweights Salamanca and Ringo chased valiantly but couldn’t make up the leeway finishing second and third respectively.

Ringo’s effort was enough Breslin to press on to Coupland’s Mile at Riccarton up. for the next