Cup week target

Boots ‘N’ All will be given every opportunity to prove he’s worthy of a crack at a stakes prize during next month’s New Zealand Cup carnival.

He has a nomination for the Group II Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton and the fiveyear-old’s next couple of starts will determine if he takes his place in the November 15 event.

‘‘His lead-up form is going to tell us if he’s good enough,’’ trainer Lance Robinson said.‘‘Otherwise, there are other options at the meeting for him.’’

Boots ‘N’ All will further his preparation in the Equine Veterinary Services Sprint (1200m) at Phar Lap Raceway on Friday.

‘‘He’s not a 1200m horse and I did plan to run him in the mile, but it has been so wet that I haven’t been able to get the work into him,’’ Robinson said.

‘‘He’ll have this run and then the Coupland’s Mile Trial over 1400m on October 28, that will be the deciding race to see which way we go at the Cup meeting.’’

Boots ‘N’ All has been out once on his current campaign at Riccarton where he finished a satisfactory fifth. ‘‘It was a heavy 11, which he didn’t like and he was very chubby,’’ Robinson said. ‘‘It was a conditioning race and I was happy with him.’’

He is also keen on the chances on Friday at Timaru of Cantilena in the Maurice Smith Handicap (1200m) following her fourth placing when resuming at Riccarton last month. ‘‘She went terrific first-up and she’s done well since,’’ Robinson said.