The inaugural NZTR/Entain innovation races have been a massive hit this season and there is still one to come, with southern trainers getting their chance at racing for $350,000 in the Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton next month.

The race is restricted to horses trained in the South Island as at December 31, 2023, and Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman are keen to get a slice of the pie.

They have already qualified Mystic Park for the rich feature after he took out the TAB Southern Alps Golden Ticket (1400m) at his home track last month.

It is one of three golden ticket races into the Southern Alps Challenge, with the first three eligible placegetters in the ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) also gaining ballot-exempt entry into the southern innovation race.

Michael Pitman is a big fan of the concept and said it gives owners added incentive to race a horse in the South Island.

“It is a huge incentive for local owners and trainers, and for people to have horses here, it is great,” he said.

“We are hoping to qualify at least a couple for the race.”

Stakes performer Proserve is one of those hopefuls and he will kick off his campaign towards the race in Thursday’s Agraforum Comcat (1200m) at Ashburton.

“He is kicking off without a trial,” Pitman said. “He showed a bit earlier on in his career. It (1200m) will probably be a bit short for him now, but it is a case of getting a couple of runs under his belt to qualify for the Southern Alps.”

Stablemate Third Decree will also be fresh-up in the race, having won her last start over 1150m at Kumara in January.

“She has drawn out a bit (10) which probably won’t help, and there is a bit of speed in the race, but Kylie (Williams, jockey) has won on her before so that should help.

“She will probably go to Riccarton for an Open Sprint after this and then we will make a decision on whether we start her at 1400m or not.”

Pitman will line-up seven other runners at the mid-week meeting and has highlighted debutant Inspiration as the stable’s best chance in the Team Ashburton Thank You (1200m).

“He is a nice horse by War Decree who has had two trials and has won them both,” Pitman said. “I have also got him in at Dunedin (on Sunday), but he drew wide there so we will probably go to Ashburton.”

Meanwhile, the stable will have strong representation at Wingatui this weekend, with Pitman highlighting Express Coup in the Lindsay Moyle Memorial & Green Island Grizzlies (1200m) and Wind In My Wings in the Helensbrook Properties (2200m) as their two best chances.

“Express Coup was unlucky last start, she got in behind a couple that weren’t travelling and then when she went to make a run a horse pulled out in front of her,” he said.

“Wind In My Wings has got a terrible record at Riccarton on the turf, but a good record on the all-weather. He went a great race the other day (for third on the Riccarton turf). He has only had two starts at Dunedin for a second and a third, so you would think that he should improve from Riccarton to Wingatui just on his previous record.”