First blood to Maygrove in cup build-up

Round one went to Maygrove on Saturday, but Gentil Tonton will get his opportunity to try and turn the tables in the near future.

Both six-year-olds have been set for next month’s Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup at Riccarton on November 12 and they furthered their causes at Rotorua when quinellaing the Listed Jakkalberry Classic.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Maygrove had to give Gentil Tonton six kilos and he did that in fine style with the well-performed gelding taking major honours under rider Michael Coleman.

“He’s a good horse and he’s been consistent all the way through, especially going left-handed,” he said.

“I had a look back at his Awapuni Gold Cup win on a heavy track and even with 60kg today that gave me confidence.”

Maygrove settled toward the back of the field before Coleman let him stride around runners to take control at the top of the straight.

“He travelled sweetly and we probably got there too soon, but you can’t lose momentum in that ground,” Coleman said.

They surged clear and had enough in reserve to score by one and a quarter lengths.

Maygrove was making only the second appearance of his current campaign following a sound fifth when resuming at Hastings behind Humidor, who finished second in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic on the final day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival.

The grey subsequently missed two races due to rain-affected going and his connections had little choice other than to run him on Saturday to keep him on a path to Christchurch.

Gentil Tonton’s co-trainer Andrew Scott said the Irish-bred gelding also had to run well on Saturday to remain in the cup mix and he delivered with a bold late run for second.