Weight and pedigree queries no bar to Wellington Cup success

Robbie Patterson isn’t letting weight and pedigree queries dent his confidence with One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold Cat) ahead of Saturday’s Gr. 3 NZCIS Wellington Cup (3200m).

The New Plymouth trainer reports that everything has gone to plan with One Bold Cat since running on the first two days of the Trentham carnival.

Ridden by main stable jockey Craig Grylls, in the first of those races, One Bold Cat won the Listed Marton Cup (2200m), followed by a late-closing third in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m).

“I couldn’t be happier with him, he’s as good as he could be,” Patterson said. “Craig said just keep doing what I’ve been doing, so it’s all gone smoothly.”

Patterson does concede that One Bold Cat will be obliged to carry clear topweight in Saturday’s staying test, while the gelding’s pedigree does raise stamina queries, but neither is a great concern.

His anticipated handicap of 59kgs is some five kilograms more than the favourite Rosso, however Patterson makes a relevant point.

“It’s not like the days of Great Sensation when he carried those massive weights, there was a much lower minimum back then and my horse has already managed big weights.

“As far as pedigree goes, we won the (2024 Wellington) Cup with Mary Louise, who was also by The Bold One from a mare by a sprinting stallion and that didn’t stop her.

“All I know is we’ve got a horse in the right form, we set him for the race a long time ago, and everything has gone to plan.”

Patterson is also looking forward to lining up stable members Belles Fate (Rating 75 1600m), Sir Bruce (Rating 65 2100m) and Wild At Heart (MAAT 1699m) in support races on Saturday’s card.

“Belles Fate won at Trentham last season and has gone well in her last two starts on the track over 1400. She’ll enjoy stepping up to 1600 on Saturday.

“We entered Sir Bruce for Remutaka Classic but he needed to win another race to make the cut. He’s well placed in his own grade though after finishing fourth in a similar race there last week.

“Wild At Heart won her first start on the home track at Christmas and that was a good effort for fifth in the MAAT race at Trentham last time, so she’s well worth another shot at a decent stake.”