PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Kevin Myers

It was the Kevin Myers show at Riccarton on Saturday, with the Central Districts based trainer winning the first five races on the card. It would’ve been a mostly painless watch for Kevin Myers and backers of his stable over these five races, with his runners winning by an average margin of approximately 3L, whilst also winning the two jumping feature races of the meeting. Safe to say the Kevin Myers stable is in form and can be followed with plenty of confidence over the remainder of the Grand National Carnival out of Riccarton.

SECTIONAL SPECIAL

Slipper Island

It was a fantastic resumption from Slipper Island at Cambridge on Wednesday, where he ran the fastest closing 400m and 200m of the meeting. Michael McNab elected to take a hold from the wide draw early, the pair finding themselves back last in what was only a moderate gallop. Slipper Island looked to be travelling comfortably throughout, with the 4yo No Nay Never entire unleashing a powerful late burst to swamp his rivals under a very cosy hands and heels ride from McNab. Slipper Island looks to be a horse with plenty of upside who could progress through the ranks going off this first up win.

BEATEN FAVOURITE

West Coast

High class steeplechaser, West Coast, was beaten as a $1.30 favourite in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase on Saturday. A couple of bad jumps over the latter stages saw West Coast on the back foot and chasing, where he looked flat-footed when the sprint went on as the leaders looked to travel. I wouldn’t be dropping off the Mark Oulaghan trained jumper, as I expect he will be much improved and suited by the step up to 5600m in the 148^th Racecourse & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase this weekend coming.

FUTURES FOLLOW

Dragon Leap

Classy sprinter, Dragon Leap, showed his true colours at Ruakaka on Saturday, with the Wexford trained galloper putting his rivals away with considerable ease. This was exactly what connections of Dragon Leap would have liked to see heading into his upcoming spring targets. The Group 2 Waikato Stud looks the logical next step for Dragon Leap, where if he can strike similar conditions underfoot, the $6 currently available looks a more than fair price.

FLASHING LIGHT

Prince Alby

I thought the run of Prince Alby flew well under the radar in the Group 3 Winning Edge Presentations 126^th Winter Cup. The Kelvin Tyler trained runner was first up over the mile at Group 3 level, where he had not been sighted since running 2^nd over the 2600m back in May. Despite Prince Alby being given very little chance by the market as a $57 prospect, he was only beaten 2.6L whilst also being held up multiple times in the running. He is one to watch as he steps up over ground this preparation, as he looks to have come back in terrific order.