Distance expert in fine fettle for Cup tilt

Marathon man Mister Impatience is in prime order to turn his stable’s Group One fortunes around at the Ellerslie carnival.

The two-mile specialist will strip at the top of his game for Saturday’s Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup for trainers Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard, who were out of luck last weekend.

The Matamata trainers had been confident of top level success with Savile Row in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby, but the Makfi colt raced ungenerously and failed to threaten.

“He pulled up quite scratchy and a bit battered and bruised,” Ballymore Stables’ racing manager Nick Fairweather said.

“He’ll have a good, long break and we’ll prepare him for the Hawke’s Bay carnival and then maybe Australia.”

Despite his Derby failure, Savile Row has enjoyed a top season with Group One seconds in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the Levin Classic. He was also runner-up against the older horses in the Herbie Dyke Stakes.

The stable focus is now on Mister Impatience, who returned a highly encouraging Cup trial when third in the Gr.2 Avondale Cup.

“It was a fantastic run and he’s improved since then,” Fairweather said. “He’s really well in himself and he’s enjoying his work.

“He’s a genuine 3200 metre horse, he’s proved that with two stakes wins at the distance.”

Successful in last season’s Gr.2 Wellington Cup and the Listed Queensland Cup in 2015, Mister Impatience’s prospects will further soar with a rain-affected track.

“He does need the sting out of the ground,” Fairweather said. “I don’t think he’d want it heavy, but anything in the slow range he would get away with.”

The stable also has the capable mare Ruby Armani in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic, although her participation will depend on the state of the going.

“She won’t run if the track gets too bad,” Fairweather said.