Ballarat Cup: Kiwia faces tough challenge to defend cup crown

Trainer Archie Alexander is hoping Kiwia can prove him wrong as he chases back-to-back wins in the $500,000 Ballarat Cup.

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Archie Alexander is querying whether Kiwia can make it back-to-back Ballarat Cups on Saturday for two main reasons but is hoping he can be proven wrong in the $500,000 race.

Alexander isn’t certain that Kiwia is racing as well as was last year when he was under Darren Weir’s care and he also thinks it’s a much tougher Ballarat Cup this year.

“I think he’s going OK but I would have liked to have seen more from him at Flemington last start,” Alexander said. “He’s had an OK preparation, not a seriously good one.

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Kiwia is back for another crack at the Ballarat Cup after winning the race last year. Picture: Getty Images

“Last year he was one of seven or eight runners Darren Weir had in the race and that tells you he didn’t have an outstanding chance. It was very even. There’s some depth in the form this year with the likes of Fifty Stars and Dr Drill in it.”

Alexander thought Kiwia was on track for his title defence when he finished third in the Coongy Stakes at Caulfield two starts ago but his last-start fifth at Flemington took the wind out of his sails.

“I wanted to see more from him at Flemington last start, although he was unlucky as he was stuck down on the rail. It was an OK run.

“He’s now a year older and hasn’t won for a year. I’ve told the owners I think he’s a place chance but I’m hoping he can bounce back to form.”

Last year Alexander had his first runner in the race with Lord Fandango, who finished last.

“It’s not my home Cup as I wasn’t born here but I live here and my son Theo was born here so it’s the closest I can be to a home Cup so it would be great to win it.”

Patrick Payne is happy with the form of his promising stayer Double You Tee and is hoping he’s still on an upward spiral.

Trainer Archie Alexander is hoping Kiwia can bounce back to his best in the Ballarat Cup. Picture: AAP

“I’m hoping that’s the case and also that a few of the better ones might be on the way down.”

Double You Tee won four races in a row before he finished second in the Kyneton Cup last start. “That’s proven to be a good form race,” Payne said. “The winner, Midterm, has since run well twice and Pacodali won at Sandown.”

Matthew Williams has taken the guessing game out of the equation with his potential star Harbour Views as to whether he would gain a run in the Ballarat Cup by scratching him.

Williams said there were signs he had come to the end of his campaign as he had noticed some inflammation around his fetlock joints and would spell him for the autumn.

Meantime, Caulfield trainer Andrew Noblett has announced he will relocate to Ballarat early next year.

SATURDAY FOCUS

Michael Manley previews the big races.

BALLARAT

BALLARAT CUP (2000m)

Race 8 — 4.40pm

DR DRILL (5) had to overcome a tough run to win the Cranbourne Cup last start and he has drawn barrier one here with Craig Williams to ride. He hasn’t started since so hasn’t had the busy time his rivals have had. FIFTY STARS (1) two runs during Cup week were the best of his career. Veteran Japanese galloper SUKUZA DEVIOUS (2) has run on well in his two Australian starts, including finishing seventh in the Mackinnon Stakes. KIWIA (4) won this race last year. DOUBLE YOU TEE’s (12) winning streak came to an end when he finished second in the strong Kyneton Cup but it was still a sound effort.

THE TIPS

DR DRILL

Fifty Stars

Suzuka Devious

Kiwia

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Dr Drill hasn’t raced since winning the Cranbourne Cup last month. Picture: Getty Images

MM 3&4YO CLASSIC (1100m)

Race 9 — 5.20pm

This is a key lead-up race for next month’s Magic Millions Guineas. Anthony Freedman’s KING OF HASTINGS (7) has shown above-average ability in his five starts, with two wins and three seconds, which includes one behind his stablemate and subsequent Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth. LI’L KONTRA (11) finished fourth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Group 1 level behind three topliners. HAWKER HURRICANCE (6) and AKKADIAN (2) both were placed at Flemington during Cup Week.

THE TIPS

KING OF HASTINGS

Li’l Kontra

Hawker Hurricane

Akkadian

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ASCOT

RAILWAY STAKES (1600m)

Race 8 — 7.50pm

Trainer Darren McAuliffe has two strong chances in THE VELVET KING (6) and GATTING (1). At his last start, The Velvet King ran on well to finish third behind Star Exhibit and Gatting in the Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m and will meet that pair much better on the weights as he drops to 53kg. He has won seven of his 14 starts. Gatting finished second in this race last year. Boom galloper is TELLEM WE’RE COMIN (7), who has won his last two starts impressively. Lindsey Smith’s REYKJAVIK (5) was impressive winning over 1400m at Flemington. He has to overcome a wide barrier. BEST OF DAYS (2) ran on well in the Cantala Stakes to finish fifth. REGAL POWER (12) is promising and will be ridden by Willie Pike.

THE TIPS

THE VELVET KING

Gatting

Tellem We’re Coming

Reykjavik

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KEMBLA GRANGE

THE GONG (1600m)

Race 6 — 4.20pm

A competitive $1 million race. NOBLE BOY (9) ran well at Flemington where he finished third behind two smart horses in Reykjavik and Admiral’s Joker over 1400m. He has won seven of 12 starts. Hasn’t started over 1600m. STAR OF THE SEAS (2) finished third in the Epsom Handicap two starts ago. LUVALUVA (6) has finished on well in two runs this time in and has had one start over 1600m at this track for a win. EL DORADO DREAMING (4) is a Group 1 winner tackling this second-up.

THE TIPS

NOBLE BOY

Star Of The Seas

Luvaluva

El Dorado Dreaming

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Originally published as Ballarat Cup: Kiwia faces tough challenge to defend cup crown