Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman are gearing up for what promises to be a bumper week in New Zealand racing, with several of their runners stepping out at Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru on Wednesday and others targeting feature races at their home meeting later in the week. Among their team, Ocean Light, Epee Beel, and Star Ballot are set to take important steps towards potential New Zealand Cup Week campaigns.
Ocean Light, the Pitmans’ five-year-old gelding, holds a nomination for the prestigious Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) in November and will begin his build-up in the Hospitality NZ – SC Branch 1600 on Wednesday. Returning to the track after a six-week break, Ocean Light has been one of the stable’s most consistent runners in recent months, with three wins and three placings from his last six starts.
Bookmakers have installed him at $8 for Wednesday’s event, while Brett Murray’s Epee Beel, who will line up in the same race, is the early favourite at $3.60. Michael Pitman explained the decision to delay Ocean Light’s return.
“We were going to race him a couple of weeks ago but decided not to run him on a real heavy track first-up,” he said.
“The track should be really nice at Timaru, it should come back to a (Good)4 or (Soft)5. We are really happy with him, he is coming up well. His main aim is Cup Week. He is nominated for the New Zealand Cup, but whether he gets to that race or the Metropolitan (Listed, 2600m), we will just see how he goes in his next two to three starts.”
While Ocean Light will attract much of the attention, stablemate Epee Beel also has a clear target in sight – the Group 3 Join TAB Racing Club Mile (1600m) on the middle day of Cup Week. She has had an interrupted campaign, with Pitman reflecting on the decision to push on during winter conditions.
“She got mucked up when they dropped the last two or three races at Ashburton (in July) and we pressed onto the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m) and we probably shouldn’t have,” Pitman said.
“Her last run (fifth over 1580m at Riccarton) was really good. This looks a nice race for her. She has got a bit of weight (59kg) to carry, but she has got it because she has won a couple of stakes races. At this stage she is heading to the mile (TAB Racing Club Mile). She will be better suited to that than the 1400m that’s for sure.”
Another stable runner with long-term ambitions is Star Ballot, who is also set to contest the mile on Wednesday before being aimed at the New Zealand Cup. Pitman highlighted how track conditions could play a big role in the gelding’s chances.
“He is a firm tracker,” Pitman said. “I think he went something like 15 starts without striking a firm track last prep, it’s very hard to find a firm track for him these days. Let’s hope we have a dry summer.”
Alongside these Cup hopefuls, the Pitmans will unleash a stable newcomer in the Loveracing.nz 1200 – Enchanted Delight, a four-year-old mare by Ferrando. Previously prepared by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, she has joined the Pitman stable on the recommendation of breeder Graeme Rogerson, who retains a share in her ownership.
“We have got an interesting maiden that is having her first start for us called Enchanted Delight,” Pitman said.
“Graeme Rogerson has stayed in for a share. He recommended her to me and we have had plenty of horses off Rogie over the years. She is a nice mare, but whether 1200m might be a bit sharp for her or not. We haven’t trialled her, but her work has been good. Brett Murray rides her and we think she is a chance.”
The midweek meeting is only part of the Pitman stable’s busy schedule, with their home meeting later in the week shaping as a major event. Proserve will contest the Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup (2000m), continuing his preparation for a potential New Zealand Cup tilt.
“We have got a super team in on Saturday,” Pitman said.
“Proserve is in the 2000m. He went well the other day and just got beaten. I thought he was going to win it at the top of the straight but he found one better. He holds a New Zealand Cup nomination and we might test him over 3000m in that Jericho Cup race.”
Among the other key runners for the weekend is Mystic Park, a stakes-winning performer who ran strongly when fourth over 1200m last start, and Student Of War, a Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) hopeful.
“Mystic Park went huge the other day (when fourth over 1200m),” Pitman said. “He was left in front, no fault of Sam Weatherley’s, but he still fought on really well and he has improved since then. We have got to make a decision in the next couple of starts whether we go to the TAB Mile, which I am preferring to at the moment, or freshen him up for the Stewards (Listed, 1200m, which he won last year).”
The Pitmans also have high hopes for Student Of War, a promising three-year-old by So You Think, purchased from the Inglis Sale in Sydney.
“We bought Student of War out of the Inglis Sale in Sydney after he had a couple of trials. He is a three-year-old by So You Think and he is nominated for the Guineas. He is a lovely horse.”
With such a diverse group of runners across both meetings, the Pitman stable is entering one of the most crucial weeks of their season. While some horses will be tested for longer-term Cup ambitions, others like Mystic Park and Student Of War are being prepared for high-profile mile and classic assignments. For Michael and Matthew Pitman, this week provides a vital opportunity to shape the direction of their spring and summer campaigns.