Express Coup (NZ) (Shamexpress) returned to her form of old when taking out the George and Mary Hennessy Open (1200m) at Phar Lap Raceway on Tuesday, and trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman are hoping she can now fulfil the potential they saw in her formative years.
The five-year-old daughter of Shamexpress jumped well from her ace draw and maintained her advantage on the inside for jockey Ashvin Goindasamy, taking on the pace making role.
While she led the field into the home straight, stablemate Makabar (NZ) (Swiss Ace) loomed ominously on the inside, but Express Coup showed her resolve and rallied, with her tenacity showing in the concluding stages as she strode out to a 2-1/4 length victory.
Michael Pitman was confident of a bold showing on Tuesday and he was delighted to meet his mare in the winner’s stall.
“I said to Ashvin that if you lead, you’ll win, it was that sort of race, it was her race to win,” he said.
“We thought she would win it on her recent efforts. She failed at her last start because she hates the poly, so she won’t be going there, but prior to that her form was really good and her work at home had been extremely good.
“At the top of the straight I thought, and so did Kylie (Williams, jockey aboard Makabar), that Makabar was going to go straight past her, but she just wanted to win, she tried really hard.
“It was lovely because Ray and Jill Coupland (part-owners) have been a major part of my whole career, so it was great that they had a winner.”
Pitman always had a lot of time for Express Coup, and he believes she can now fulfil the potential she had shown earlier in her career.
“A couple of years ago, she and (subsequent Group Three performer) Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree) were the form South Island horses through the winter months,” Pitman said.
“Third Decree went on with her form, but Express Coup got hurt and she might just be starting to come back to it (form).
“They competed two or three times against each other and there was very little between them, but it’s history that shows Third Decree has gone right up to the top level whereas Express Coup has dropped down the grades. But she certainly has the ability.”
While victorious in open company on Tuesday, Pitman said he will now be looking for a rating 75 contest for her next assignment before setting his sights on loftier goals.
“She was only a 67 rater before today, and being a $22,000 race, the handicapper shouldn’t be too hard on her,” he said. “She will be eligible for a rating 75 1200m somewhere, and that’s where we will be looking at.”
Pitman was pleased to secure the quinella with Makabar, and said the nine-year-old will continue to campaign through colder months.
“Wherever it is wet, is where he will go,” Pitman said. “He has won open sprints at Riccarton before, so we will be aiming there.”