Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) produced a career-high performance during last year’s New Zealand Cup carnival, and he’s primed to rise to another level on his home turf on Wednesday.
Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman produced him to claim the Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) 12 months ago and this time the son of Ocean Park has the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) in his sights.
Mystic Park has got home strongly for minor placings in his last two outings, and five of his seven wins have come on his local course.
“He’s got a great record at Riccarton, and he’s only ever had the one start at a mile and ended up in front and he was a young and immature horse in those days,” Michael Pitman said.
“This is the race we’ve been looking at this prep, rather than the Stewards. He gets in with a good weight (56.5kg), he won the Stewards with 59kg.”
Pitman has been delighted with Mystic Park’s build-up toward the main event on the second day of the carnival with Daniel Stackhouse answering the call to come over from Melbourne to ride for the stable.
“We’ve very happy with his preparation, his work has been really good and in both runs this time in he’s hit the line hard,” Pitman said.
“I believe we’ve got a very good rider on board and he’s drawn six, just where we wanted him to.”
Another son of Ocean Park in Ocean Light (NZ) (Ocean Park) is also in fine condition for the Wuhan Jockey Club Premier (2000m).
The dependable five-year-old has three victories and four placings from his last seven appearances.
“He’s by my favourite stallion, if you put the two together and had a look at them and came back five minutes later you wouldn’t know which one’s which,” Pitman said.
“He’s a lovely horse and has been racing really well, he’s another one we can’t fault.”
Stephanie Murray Mortgages Premier (1800m) contender Charbano (NZ) (Vespa) is also a strong each-way chance for the stable.
He has been around the mark in recent outings, including a most recent third over the course and distance.
“He’s been going really good races without a lot of luck, he went massive last start and he’s a horse that looks suited to a bit further now,” Pitman said.
“He’s drawn badly, but Stackhouse is on so that’s a positive.”
Meanwhile, two-year-old The Graduate (NZ) (Ferrando) will be the third member of her family to step out for the stable when the Ferrando filly follows in the footsteps of winning full siblings El Vacquero and Guissepe Ferrante.
“She’s still a bit weak and the Walker-Bergerson horses are always the ones to beat every time they come here, so I’d be happy with a top four or five run,” Pitman said.