EYRE I COME LIKELY TO BACK UP FRIDAY
Promising squaregaiter Eyre I Come is likely to try for a Cup week double on Show day.
Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones says he plans to race him again on Friday providing the 4YO Majestic Son gelding eats up over the next two days.
Eyre I Come (Blair Orange) is untroubled to beat Queen Kenny in the opener on NZ Cup day, 2014. (Race Images photo).
Eyre I Come got favourite punters away to a flyer in the opener on NZ Cup day, Tuesday, November 11.
The $2.80 favourite stepped slowly but safely in the C2 and faster $20,400 Garrards Horse & Hound Handicap Trot over 3200m.
Eyre I Come, a close relative of recent top Victorian-trained squargaiters Sundon’s Gift and Let Me Thru, was sent to the front at the mid-way point.
He ran out the extreme trip strongly for driver Blair Orange, striding clear by three lengths over Queen Kenny, who tracked him over the final 1600m.
The winner trotted the journey in a useful 4:07.8, keeping the pace strong over his last 800m in 59.2s and final 400m in 30s, suggesting he could be a future Dominion Handicap contender.
Winning connections of promising squaregaiter Eyre I Come, with sponsors & dress rug, after taking out the Garrards Horse & Hound Handicap Trot on NZ Cup day. (Race Images photo).
“I was rapt with his effort,” Mark said.
“The Harness Jewels (Ashburton, May 30) is the long-term aim with him.”
“I’m thinking of going to Geraldine with him (November 29) then spelling him.”
Mark says the $25,000 Four & Five-Year-Old Trotting Championship at Addington on March 20 will be his first aim after a let-up.
Eyre I Come, raced by Grant Hatton of Christchurch, with Merv and Meg Butterworth, of Melbourne, is now unbeaten in both 4YO starts.
From just nine starts, he’s now the winner of three for $27,004.
Eyre I Come is bred to develop further being a grandson of former top NZ trot mare Landora’s Pride, who numbered 34 wins including the 1988 Dominion Handicap and 1987 Rowe Cup.