NZ Cup ambitions with Court Of Appeal

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are mapping out a path towards November’s Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) with Court Of Appeal following her victory in the Betavet Rating 75 (1600m) at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday.

The five-year-old daughter of Eminent jumped away well from her outside gate under Central Districts jockey Bruno Queiroz to take an early lead. She opened up a clear margin on the rest of the field throughout the running, which widened at the turn, and she ran out a convincing two-length victor.

“It was a really good win and a lovely ride of Bruno’s,” Walker said. “She’s been a bit tardy out of the gates lately, but he’s a great barrier rider and got her away cleanly to lead and it was great to see her win the way she did.

“Hunter (Durrant, assistant trainer) and the team have got the horses looking well in our stables down there at Riccarton, and getting good results for us in the South Island.

“She was always going to take time to mature, on pedigree, and that will hopefully keep coming to the fore this year and next. We’re certainly looking forward to seeing what she can achieve this season.”

Court Of Appeal was purchased as a yearling by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndicates, and has now won three starts to date.

Fortuna director John Galvin was pleased with Thursday’s win and is looking forward to tackling some staying feature races in the Garden City later this spring.

“I think she put a stake in the ground today by winning fresh-up over a mile when she’s a genuine staying type,” he said.

“She’s really blossomed down in the South Island, and I think it’s the right place for her at present. She seems to appreciate the more relaxed setting at Riccarton.

“Her main targets will be the Metropolitan (Listed, 2600m) and New Zealand Cup down there in November.”