Ricky May has won seven NZ Cup’s and it was his great experience that Mark Jones and Wayne Higgs drew on to make a difficult decision.
Despite both trainer Mark Jones and owner Wayne Higgs both being keen to start, they left the call to seven-time New Zealand Cup-winning driver – and he said no.
Stylish Memphis is ready to tackle the rigours of the Cup, says Jones, but after leaving the decision to May and all his experience the page has already been well-turned.
“As she stands right now I’d be more than comfortable taking her to Addington next week to run in the Cup,” said the in-form trainer.
“She’s bounced through the Southland Oaks in great order and looks a million bucks. I’d have been more than happy to run her in the Cup.
“But we left it up to Ricky. And after he was pretty keen on the idea, he had a good think about it and opted to go with a ‘no’. We have to respect his opinion and that is why we put it on him to be the one to make the call.
“Mainly, he was concerned about her going away. I’m not so bothered by that aspect, but again, it’s Ricky’s call to make, he drives her all the time.”
A start for Burnham Boy is unlikely, Jones and the horse’s connections very keen to start but rankings and favouritism will see him miss out when the field is declared tomorrow.
“It is a bit disappointing. He’s definitely in the best 15 pacers in New Zealand right now, no doubt about it.
“I’d really like to see some bold decisions made on selection rather than this ranking of old form and past glories,” said Jones.
“I can’t complain, though. Brian Rabbitt and Greg O’Connor have done plenty over the last week to see if they could accommodate both horses so we will just move on and come back next. year”
May has won seven Cup’s, starting his run in 1989 behind Inky Lord, then 1997 with Iraklis before five more at the turn of the century – Mainland Banner in 2005, and doubles with Monkey King (2009-2010) and Terror To Love (2012-2013).
