Strapping grey stayer Nest Egg further boosted his G3 New Zealand Cup prospects with a perfect dress rehearsal dress at Riccarton on Saturday.
The son of Westbury Stud resident Reliable Man took full advantage a late split in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy to power through and claim the traditional 2600 metre lead-up with a good degree of authority.
Trainer Stephen Marsh was understandably delighted with the five-year-old, who had also won in fine style at Te Rapa before heading south.
“He got into a good rhythm, he’s such a laid-back customer and he was great to the line,” he said.
“I think he’s right on track for the Cup, he’s going super, and it was beautiful to win like that when he’s going to be on the back-up. It was a perfect trial.”
The TAB bookmakers also took the same view and tightened Nest Egg’s price from $6 to a $3.50 favourite.
Nest Egg settled three back on the fence and rider Warren Kennedy had to be patient in the straight to get into clear air and when the gap presented itself, they were quickly through to put the issue beyond doubt.
“He jumped quite well to put himself there and Warren seems to get on so well with him,” Marsh said.
“I did shake my head at the 200 and thought oh no, not a hard luck story, but he got through and it was lovely to see.”
Premiership-leading jockey Kennedy was full of praise for his mount and, like Marsh, confident about their Cup prospects.
“I was able to get him into a good position on the fence, a really quiet ride, and then he tracked up behind them and just had to wait for a gap.
When the gap came, I put him through, and he won the race still extending. It was a really, really good win.”
A brother to multiple winner Chakana, he was bred by part-owners David Price and Brian Stewart and is the 25th individual stakes winner for his sire Reliable Man.
Nest Egg is a son of the Bahhare mare Run To The Bank, who won on three occasions up to 2100 metres and was stakes placed when third in the Listed Sunline Vase.
She is a sister to the G1 New Zealand Derby placegetter Charliehorse and the family of the well-performed stayer Belfe, who won the Metropolitan and finished third in the New Zealand Cup.