A string of high-class South Island performances have father-and-son Christchurch trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman confident that Another Coup can win Saturday's Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.
The Ray and Jill Coupland-bred and raced Darci Brahma filly has won five of her 11 starts and goes into the three-year-old fillies Classic chasing her fourth straight win after success in the Listed Dunedin Guineas and then wins over the older horses in open handicap and Rating 85 company at Riccarton at her last two appearances.
"Her performances have been outstanding," Matthew Pitman said."Her win in the Dunedin Guineas was pretty emphatic and she's been outstanding against the older horses in her last two starts. This is a Group One and it's another step up again but her last few starts have been pretty impressive so we think she's got a good chance."
Another Coup is bidding to become the first South Island filly to win the Oaks since Tartan Tights in 1995, though 2007 winner Princess Coup was prepared for most of her Classic season from Mark Walker's Rangiora base.TAB bookmakers have Another Coup on the sixth line of betting at $12, behind $3.60 favourite Savaria, Saavoya at $5, Platinum Witness at $6, Thee Auld Floozie at $7 and Charmont at $10.
Another Coup travelled north from Riccarton on Thursday, crossing Cook Strait by ferry in the afternoon before reaching Trentham that evening.Pitman said the filly was a good traveller and by arriving early, she would have plenty of time to settle in at Trentham and be at her peak for the Oaks, in which regular pilot Matthew Cameron retains the ride.
