High benchmark likely to see Patrick Erin head to Australian to race
Wingatui trainers Brian and Shane Anderton, who prepare the seven-year-old for long-time Christchurch client Pat Smith, believe the horse’s rating of 101 casts a long shadow over his domestic future.
“We’ve got to discuss it fully with Pat yet, but it’s highly unlikely he’ll run in New Zealand again,” Brian Anderton said.
“The Auckland Cup is a no-no so he’s not going to get any opportunities here and he’s only won the Listed Riverton Cup.”
It has yet to be determined whether the lightly-raced Patrick Erin, who has won 10 of his 21 starts, will join an Australian stable on a permanent basis or if he will be campaigned there by his current trainers.
The seven-year-old finished fourth under 59.5kg last time out in the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham where he over-raced under jockey Chris Johnson.
“They went too slowly so he didn’t have much in his favour, but that’s the way it goes,” Anderton said. “He came through it all well and he’s in the paddock for a fortnight.”