Happy Star set to shine in Winter Cup at Riccarton
Happy Star will be vying to keep his recent winning record intact when he contests the Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park today.
The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained 5-year-old has won both starts this time in and they are hoping he can continue his picket fence formline this weekend.
“He’s been going super,” Benner said yesterday. “He’s done nothing wrong this whole preparation, he’s won two trials and two races.
“He’s travelled down really well. He’s a very sensible horse and takes everything in very easily. He’s been pretty much set for this race and I’m pretty happy with him.”
Although pleased with his charge heading into the weekend, Benner said his biggest concern is Happy Star’s wide barrier (19).
“The wide barrier is my biggest concern. I’m not worried about a dead track, he’s fine on that,” he said.
“Lisa [Allpress, jockey] is going to have to produce a pretty good ride. He hasn’t got the right draw, so he’s going to have to be good and we’re going to need a bit of luck in running.
“We haven’t set a plan as yet, we will just get through the first part of the day. He’s got quite good gate speed, so we’ll just have to assess what the track is doing and we’ll make a plan before the race.
“If he gets a bit of luck, he’ll be right in it.”
TAB bookmakers have installed Happy Star as a $4.40 favourite ahead
There is still a bit of racing left in him. He is a tough little horse. We will just take it day by day. Johno Benner
of Tobilicious ($6) and Rosewood ($6.50).
Benner said there are no set plans for Happy Star after today’s race but there are plenty of options for the promising gelding.
“He’s only third-up, so we’ll get through Saturday and see where we go. There’s still a bit of racing left in him. He’s a tough little horse, so we’ll just take it day by day.”