Boxachocolates hard to beat on quick backup in G3 Manawatu Cup
The Mike Breslin trained gelding enjoyed a perfect run in transit before dashing away in the run home to notch a comfortable two-length victory in the Manawatu Cup Prelude (2000m). Rider Rosie Myers had a lapful of horse throughout the race and had the luxury of easing her mount down in the concluding stages as she held out the late runs of Itsallbelt and Blathwayt, who filled the minor placings.
Breslin has always held a high opinion of the Alamosa five-year-old who has proven a model of consistency throughout his career to date with four wins and seven minor placings from just 20 starts.
“Rosie has ridden him a treat,” he said.
“It was his first run over ground for a little while as we’ve had to wait for him as a five-year-old. He’s still got maturing to do but he’s now strong enough to get over a trip which we knew he would be good at once we asked him to.”
Breslin was keen to see his charge find a place in the Group Three staying feature this coming weekend as he believes he has the ability to make his presence felt.
“Hopefully we are still on the minimum for the race as if the horse does well during the week that is his target,” he said.
“The idea today was to see if he was good enough to run in the Manawatu Cup and I think he answered that.”
The victory secured Myers a winning treble on the day that took her to 32 wins for the season and seventh on the National Premiership table behind current leader Samantha Collet who is eight clear of her nearest rival on 48 wins