Riding Shotgun wins 2014 Ray Coupland Stakes Listed NZ$50,000 at Riccarton Park (NZ) 3yo, 1400m.
Given every chance to run the trip out strongly, Riding Shotgun benefitted by a patient ride from Rory Hutchings. Settled last in a field of 11, Hutchings made a smart move aboard Riding Shotgun entering the straight of opting for a run through centre field and bursting between runners at the 120m he went clear late to win easily. It was a close contest for the minors.
From barrier one, La Veuve got the best of the start to lead clearly before steadying three back on the inner and sustained a solid finish one off the rail for second.
Belle Miraaj had plenty of room near the rail, after trailing, to lead briefly at the 200m before finishing third, just ahead
of Second Time Lucky who led from the 1000m and fought hard for fourth.Beyond midfield and widest on the track from the 600m, Caramac kept up a game run for fifth.
