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Sound result for promising three-year-old; Injury halts Auckland Cup plans

Sound result for promising three-year-old

Milford Sound broke maiden ranks on Thursday with a stylish win in the Piccadilly Books Stocktake Sale On Until 15 March Maiden (1600m) at Riccarton.

The son of Ocean Park stepped out a $1.50 favourite in the mile contest and trainer Andrew Carston admitted to feeling the pressure due to the pre-race hype.

"It's been a long time since I have been so nervous before a maiden race," he said. "It was a relief to get the win really.

"He got the job done and he is a really nice horse, I have always thought that, he has just taken a bit of time mentally and physically.

"I think he will improve again off that. He is quite exciting."

Carston is now eyeing a trip north with Milford Sound who was second at his last start in the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m).

"We will take him on tour," Carston said. "I will see how he comes through it, but the plan is to take him to Awapuni in three weeks' time for the Manawatu Classic (Gr.3, 2000m)."

Injury halts Auckland Cup plans

Wanganui trainer Raymond Connors put a circle around the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) several months ago for promising stayer Hurry Cane, but injury has put a halt to those plans.

The eight-year-old gelding was heading towards the two-mile feature at Ellerslie on Saturday in pleasing form, having finished fifth in the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) last month and he would have had conditions to suit this weekend.

However, Connors said Hurry Cane had a bit of swelling around his knee a couple of days after the Avondale Cup and he has decided to err on the side of caution with the gelding.

"It was a good run in the Avondale Cup, but unfortunately he didn't pull up that well, his leg was a bit swollen. It is just behind the knee that is a bit sore. How bad it is I am not really sure.

"We have had to put him out, which is a bit disappointing. We have got to get his leg scanned again next week.

"He will be back, but probably more towards the end of winter."

Connors believes Hurry Cane would have been a major contender for the Auckland Cup on Saturday but said he will now have to set his sights towards the race next year.

"He would have been a good chance (in the Auckland Cup), especially with a bit of a rain," he said.

"The Auckland Cup is what I was looking forward to, but unfortunately that is not going to eventuate. That will be next year's plan now."