Michael and Matthew Pitman will attack Saturday’s Wingatui features in threes.
The Riccarton trainers will produce Reputabelle, Roussanne and Show Me Champagne in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m), with Rock Sensation, Wild Rover and Seikrid the stable’s trio contesting the ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m).
Matthew Pitman rated promising Pins filly Reputabelle as the pick of the runners for the three-year-old fillies feature after Riccarton wins at her last two starts but was pleased with all three heading into Saturday.
“Reputabelle is a filly we’ve liked right from the start but being by Pins, she was always going to take a bit of time,” he said.
“She’s really started to come to it now. She was really impressive when she won her maiden with Tina Comignaghi on. Tina told us then she really liked the filly and while Wiremu Pinn did a good job winning on her last time, we’re pleased to have Tina back on for this one.
“She’s done really well since that last win and we think a fair bit of her.”
TAB bookmakers have Reputabelle as a $5.50 second favourite for the Airfreight Stakes behind the Jamie Richards-trained Irish Red at $4.80. Stable newcomer Show Me Champagne is at $13, while Rousanne is at $41.
Showcasing filly Show Me Champagne is on South Island debut on Saturday, having raced out of the stable of Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray for her first six starts.
“She’s been with us about a month and fitted into our system really well. She won a trial at Ashburton really well and drawn barrier one, she should get a nice run in transit and go well.
“All three of ours have prepared really well but you’d have to say Reputabelle is the pick of our three.”
The Pitmans three runners in the ODT Southern Mile Final go into the race in terrific form, with Pitman loathe to split that trio.
“Rock Sensation is the proven performer of our three and he won really nicely last time at Riccarton but the big weight in such a strong race is the query with him,” he said.
“The other two are real up-and-comers and they are both going really well too. There’s nothing between them.”
Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m)-placed Exchange heads the TAB market at $4 ahead of Wild Rover at $6.50, with Rock Sensation and Seikrid sharing $8.50 third favouritism with Phelan The Power, Demand Respect and Pullyoursocksup.
“It’s a strong race and it’s been a really good series right through. All the qualifiers have been strong races too and they’ve been racing for good money too,” Pitman said.
“We’ve got three really nice chances too. We’ve always really liked Wild Rover and we think he’ll go right through to the best company next preparation. Rock Sensation has already raced in good races and if Seikrid runs well this weekend, she could go on to those fillies and mares features at Riccarton coming up.”
The Pitmans will saddle 11 runners at Wingatui on Saturday with keen expectation around Golden Harvest in the Positive Signs 1200,
“He went really well when he was second to Rockland a couple of starts back and he just didn’t get any luck at Riccarton last time,” he said. “He’s trained on really nicely and we’re expecting him to go well.”
