Great training performance, far too simplistic to say same old, same old. Barrier draws and manners were the talking points leading up to the Cup. Self Assured had been pre-race favourite all along until Copy That got to the front and won at Ashburton. Self Assured added to the drama by galloping away at the Cup Trials last Wednesday. After Copy That drew the pole the big money went on him. He was expected to step away safely while Self Assured was expected to gallop, Purdon publicly admitting he rated him only a 50/50 chance of stepping away. Just like the Auckland Cup, Self Assured bought his best manners with him on race day. Copy That didn't and shuffled back to last. I knew the winner with 3100 metres to run.
While we are talking NZ, how good is Jean Feiss when it comes to judging yearlings? Self Assured only had his first race 18 months ago, his record is now 22 starts, 14 wins, 6 seconds and a third for $736,000 in stakes. Amazing Dream, an incredible staying performance to win the Nevele R final, has raced 23 Times, 15 wins, 5 seconds and a third for $701,000. Her other starter for the day, Aladdin, was a brave third in the Sires Stakes final after facing the breeze the entire trip.
What's more, no syndicates involved. Her judgement, her cash, her reward. That is the real story of NZ Cup Day, it's certainly not the same old, same old.