A trip to Riccarton to tackle the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) in August is just one of the options that trainer Alby MacGregor is contemplating for his pride and joy Times Ticking (NZ) (Tavistock).
The six-year-old son of Tavistock was having just the second start in a new campaign at Trentham on Saturday and delivered his sixth career win from 21 starts with a comprehensive performance in the open 1400m contest.
Rider Robbie Hannam had Times Ticking purring along nicely in midfield as he tracked the well fancied Cruz Ramirez (Myboycharlie) into the race from the 600m.
Asked to extend out in the middle of the track entering the home straight, Times Ticking quickly gained the ascendancy before fighting off the late challenge of favourite Amusez Moi (NZ) (Dalghar) to win by just over a length.
The win proved a great tonic for the 76-year-old MacGregor who felt his charge deserved the victory after an unlucky performance at Wanganui in his first-up run.
“He has come back really well for this prep and I thought he would show up at Wanganui last time,” he said.
“Nothing went right for him in the home straight as he tried to come up the rail and he got knocked over a couple of times so it was a much better run than it might look on paper.
“He got conditions to suit today, Robbie had him in the best part of the track and he showed what a good horse he can be off a run like that.”
MacGregor admits he doesn’t have a set plan in place for Times Ticking, who finished second to the recently retired Group One winner Two Illicit in the Gr.3 Red Badge Sprint (1400m) at Hastings during his spring campaign
“He has had the odd niggle along the way and we have had to ease up on him a couple of times, but he seems to be coming back to his best now,” he said.
“I was hoping to get through today and then have a think about where we go next, but I have had the Winter Cup at Riccarton in the back of my mind.
“He handles all track conditions and the big, roomy surface down there should really suit him.
“He is a good traveller and his trainer doesn’t mind a trip away as well.
“I will get him home tonight then I will settle down in front of the fire with a nice scotch to celebrate and put a plan together for him.”
