Weight could halt Wellington Cup tilt

Beauden winning the Listed Japac Marton Cup (2200m) Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery

The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Beauden (NZ) (Bullbars) could head to Trentham later this month to target the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m), although his trainers are weighing up other options.

The son of Bullbars made it back-to-back victories in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) on Saturday after his four-length victory in the Taupo Cup (2000m) late last month.

Beauden is currently a $8 joint second favourite behind Waisake ($6) for the Wellington Cup, but the handicap conditions could force Rogerson to change tack.

“He is a good traveller and has done everything right,” Graeme Rogerson said. “I’ve been talking with Joan (Egan, owner) about where we go with him, whether we go to the Wellington Cup or go to weight-for-age racing at a mile and quarter.

“Weight is her (Egan) concern. He has been carrying weight so far so we will see how he goes. We will know what we are doing by the weekend.

“He just wasn’t right in the spring, his blood wasn’t right, so we turned him out and started again. It was as simple as that.”

Meanwhile, Rogerson is looking forward to lining up Mascarpone (NZ) (Shooting To Win) in the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday.

“I hope he gets a good track and Ryan (Elliot) rides him right and everything goes to plan,” Rogerson said.

“He certainly has ability but he is up against a very good field so it will be an interesting race.”

The four-year-old gelding heads into Saturday off the back of a fifth-placing in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa last month.

“He pulled his shoe off in the Te Rapa race and ripped his front plate off and we had to get his foot right so we decided not to go ahead with Auckland and concentrate on the Telegraph and this will test him to see how good he is,” Rogerson said.

“He has a few kinks in his armour. He is not the easiest horse but potential, he has any amount of ability. He just has to settle and run, if everything goes right they will see a good horse.”