Father-and-son training partners Peter and Shaun McKay are taking a realistic approach to their prospects of further success when they return to their favourite track on the middle day of the Wellington Cup carnival.

Trentham has been a happy hunting ground for the Matamata duo during their partnership that is now its fourth season, with 13 wins at a 20 percent strike-rate in their overall tally of 38 wins.

 

Their highlight together was Wolfgang’s double last season in the Gr.3 NZCIS Wellington Cup (3200m) and New Zealand St Leger (2500m), while in his previous career as a jockey, Shaun’s career-high came on stable runner The Mitigator in the 2020 Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile.

 

Peter also trained 2008 and 2015 Thorndon Mile winners Alamosa and Puccini, and on Saturday he and his son will saddle up Spencer in quest of further success in the 1600m feature.

 

“It was a worry when we entered him for the Thorndon that off his high rating he would end up with something like 59 kilos, but then when the Kelsos decided to run Legarto, that all changed,” McKay said.

 

“With a mare like her in the field the weight scale has ended up in our horse’s favour with 54.5 kilos, but we’re still being realistic about our chances.”

 

Spencer has been in the McKay stable for his last three starts, beginning with a win over 1340m in late November and two subsequent unplaced efforts.

 

In the most recent of those, the Gr. 1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) on January 3, his chances were virtually eliminated when he stumbled badly as he jumped from the barrier.

 

“When that happened Elen (Nicholas) dug him up, but unfortunately that made him start over-racing, and to her credit she apologised afterwards.

 

“He races best when he relaxes and gets into a rhythm, so that’s what we’re hoping will play out on Saturday. From his draw (10) the idea will be to roll forward and lead.

 

“Masa (Hashizume) rode him in his Tuesday gallop, so he’s a had a good feel of him ahead of the weekend.”

 

The McKays’ last-start Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth ll Cup winner Santa Catalina will be on trial for the Wellington Cup when she lines up in Saturday’s Gr.3 Totara Lodge Wellington Stakes (2100m), but again her participation comes with a caveat.

 

“Last year with Wolfgang, the Welligton Cup was 17 days after the Ellerslie race and it worked out perfectly, but this year it’s a whole month between the two races,” McKay said.

 

“Santa Catalina had to run somewhere in between times and with no suitable race up north, this weekend is the only real option.

 

“Her style is to find her feet and finish off, and with her record this season the 2100m will be short of her best, so to be fair so long as she’s hitting the line we’ll be happy.”

 

The McKay contingent is completed by Faultless, a three-year-old whose sole win came over 1300m on the track as an autumn two-year-old.

 

The Tivaci gelding will be an interesting runner having his first middle-distance start in the Happy Hire 2100, with a best-case scenario a win or placing to open up some lucrative options.

 

“If he was to win or finish second, we could get into the Remutaka Classic back here at the end or month, or there’s also the Waikato Guineas to consider.

 

“His pedigree says he can’t stay, but in his last two starts with the blinkers off he’s relaxed a lot better, which encourages us to think now is the time to step him up over ground.

 

“Like the other two he’s very well, so we’ll head back down to Wellington hoping it all plays out for us.”