Surpass to stamp himself as Auckland Cup favourite

Waikato Times Gold Cup winner, Surpass (pictured), will be looking to cement himself as the Group 1 Barfoot and Thompson Auckland Cup favourtie when he lines up in the Listed Kaimai Stakes at Matamata on Saturday for team Ballymore.

Following an encouraging fifth place performance in the Group 1 International Stakes, Surpass has trained on well pleasing co-trainer Chad Ormsby ahead of Saturday’s Listed assignment.

“He’s looking and feeling very well and we couldn’t be happier with him at this stage,” Ormsby said.

“This race will bring him on very nicely for the Auckland Cup, and while he’s carrying the top weight he has class on his side which will take him a long way.”

Surpass is currently favourite for New Zealand’s Premier staying event and will look t ohold that favourtism should he run accordingly on Saturday.

Ballymore will boast another three runners on the Matamata card including the ultra-consistent Massale who will be running the three-year-old event over 1400m.

“It’s a strong field and we have drawn wide, although he has been working very well and we are hoping there is going to be a good tempo set to give him something to run off.”

She’s Samashing and Thats How We Roll will compete in the final race of the day in the Rating 75 event over 2000m and Patrick Holmes and Michael Coleman will be riding respectively.

“We saw a more improved performance from She’s Samashing down the line and she has continued to do so in her work, so we are hoping for another competitive effort.”

That’s How We Roll has always shown good staying promise, although has encountered his fair share of bad luck, although always produces a good performance on his home track.

“He’s not the easiest horse to deal with but Micky (Michael Coleman) knows him well, and if he gets favours in the running he will be coming late.”

Exciting two-year-old, Starstripe, was set to take her place in the feature event – Group 2 J Swap Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes – but is likely to miss the Group 2 and press on to Te Rapa next Wednesday.