New Zealand Cup the target for Gobstopper after Awapuni romp
WELL-related gelding Gobstopper has recorded another quality staying win in the Grace/Marsh Insurance Brokers Handicap at Awapuni.
The full brother to Hong Kong champion Werther (Tavistock x. Bagalollies) has always possessed the potential to win at the top staying level and the confidence is up now after consecutive wins on heavy tracks in New Zealand.
Gobstopper was a 6.3-length winner at Tauherenikau last start before winning off the front impressively again on Saturday. In-form trainer Andrew Campbell, who also has the likes of Longchamp and Waldorf in his stable, will likely target the New Zealand Cup for the improving stayer.
“I’m aiming him for the New Zealand Cup and we’ll go to the Egmont Cup next up,” Campbell said. “He’s a good tough horse and I’ve always liked him.”
The confidence five-year-old isn’t the easiest to train, but it loves the front-running style and Campbell knew it would be hard to catch with a similar run to its last start.
“If he gets his own way in the lead he’s just awfully hard to pick up,” he said. “He’s good fresh, but when he goes off, he goes off big time.
“When he’s in a happy space, he’s a tough type.”
The New Zealand Cup at Riccarton looms as a nice target for the five-time winner which is bred to appreciate the staying distances.
“We took him to Australia as a three-year-old as it didn’t work out, but he’s going to win a nice race somewhere along the way,” Campbell said.
“It’s easy to get out of bed when it’s like this.”
Apprentice jockey Madan Singh rode the race to perfection and his 3kg claim has made the difference during the wet winter season in New Zealand.
“My intention was to go forward like last time… he did a good job,” Singh said. “I thought the lead was quite soft and he was just too good.
“In three or four months time I think he’ll be a nice cups horse.”
Gobstopper is now a $15 at CrownBet.com.au $15 at CrownBet.com.au