Stakes targets are in the offing for promising gelding Sunset Boulevard after he secured a winning double at Riccarton Park during New Zealand Cup Week.
The Sir Peter Vela-bred and raced five-year-old won over 2000m on the opening day of the carnival and backed up on Wednesday where he jumped an even money favourite in the Wuhan Jockey Club Premier (2000m).
In the hands of in-form local hoop Tina Comignaghi, Sunset Boulevard was pushed forward early and settled in the coveted one-one position. Turning for home he was stuck in a pocket, but Comignaghi was able to extricate her gelding and he went on to find the lead and hold off the late challenge of Ocean Light to win by three-quarters of a length.
It was the Kevin Myers-trained gelding’s seventh win from 19 starts, with the son of Frankel stallion Eminent (IRE) having now amassed nearly $180,000 in prizemoney.
Myers’ son Jason was trackside for the win and he said Sunset Boulevard is developing into a serious racehorse.
“He is putting together quite a few wins now, he is turning into quite a handy horse,” he said.
“He is continuing to improve. I think the extra year on him has suited him and he is starting to come into a bit of form.”
Sunset Boulevard is set to back-up in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Premier (2600m) at Riccarton on Saturday in a bid to record a memorable New Zealand Cup treble, however, Myers said he could be saved for targets closer to home, including the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m) in a fortnight.
“It (backing up) is a possibility, but we will just have to see how he pulls up, otherwise he might be ready to go back home, there are some nice races for him up north, maybe a Wanganui Cup,” he said.
It was a good day for the Myers barn and local hoop Tina Comignaghi, who also combined to win the opening race of the card with Tik Tok Ted. Comignaghi continued her winnings ways, taking out four of the first six races on the middle day of New Zealand Cup Week. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
