Cup trifecta on the cards for Stockman

Group Three contender Stockman. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au

New Zealand-bred gelding Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock) will be vying to add another Cup victory to his resume on Boxing Day when he lines-up in the Gr.3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick.

The Joe Pride-trained five-year-old has already captured the Listed McKell (2000m) and Listed Caloundra (2400m) Cups in the winter, and is an early $3.80 favourite for the Summer Cup this weekend.

The gelding has been enjoying the wet start to the summer, finishing runner-up to Ellsberg on a heavy track in the Gr.3 Festival Stakes (1500m) and closing late for fourth to stablemate Brutality on slow ground in the Gr.2 Villiers Stakes (1600m). 

Pride said Stockman has similarities to stable predecessor and relation Destiny’s Kiss who retired with 10 Cups victories to their name.

“Destiny’s Kiss was the Cups King, he won 10 Cups,” Pride said. 

“This horse has already got two on the mantlepiece, so he has got to work his way up towards 10.” 

Stockman was purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Proven Thoroughbreds and John Thompson for $175,000.