Pogacar (NZ) (Eminent) has a fair way to go to live up to his namesake, but he continued his pleasing progression with a maiden victory over 1200m on Riccarton’s synthetic track on Saturday.
Named after World Champion cyclist Tadej Pogacar, who has won three editions of the Tour de France, Pogacar had shown early promise for trainer Ross Beckett, having placed in two of his three previous career starts.
The three-year-old son of Eminent continued his upward trajectory at Riccarton on Saturday where he was having his first raceday start on a synthetic track.
In the hands of Rohan Mudhoo, he settled off the pace before navigating his way through the pack down the home straight where he showed a good turn of foot late to reel in the leaders and score a half-neck victory over Celtic Bling.
“He has always shown plenty,” Beckett said. “He has always worked well on it (polytrack), so I had no fears there.
“It was a bit of a task for him coming back from 1400m to 1200m, but I was more than happy.”
Beckett said Pogacar will now head for a well-earned break before being set for the South Island’s biggest racing carnival.
“He is going to the paddock and then he will get ready for Cup Week,” he said. “I think he can get through the grades.”
Pogacar will likely be joined at New Zealand Cup Week by stakes-performing stablemates Lilly (NZ) (War Decree) and Treybon (NZ) (Sweynesse).
Both are currently enjoying some time in the paddock after pleasing preparations, which resulted in placing in the Listed Southland Guineas (1400m) for Lilly, while Treybon won the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) and placed in the $200,000 Southern Mile Final (1600m) and $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m).
“Treybon had a really good season and is out for a deserved rest and Lily is out as well,” Beckett said.
“She (Lilly) is lovely filly, and time is going to really help. She will get ready for Cup Week and away we’ll go.”