3 minute read

Popular Coffs Harbour-trained gelding Castlemagne King is set to build on his reputation as a Cups specialist over the winter months after winning Sunday's Murwillumbah Cup Prelude.

The eight-year-old, trained by Basil Ryan, woin the Murwillumbah Cup in 2012 and will have that race on June 22 as his immediate target after Sunday’s win.

Ridden by Tegan Harrison, the eight-year-old ran to the lead 60m from home and no pressure and went on to score easily by two lengths in a fine trial for what lies ahead.

Ryan said Castlemagne King, who also won last year’s Lismore Cup, was racing as well as ever and if he holds his form will be given his chance in the al the big races on the north coast over the winter including the Grafton Cup in July and Coffs Harbour Cup and Taree Cup in August.

"He'll be back here for the Murwillumbah Cup on June 22 and then he might get to Grafton for the Grafton Cup,” Ryan said.

"He's a good little horse, he won't lie down.

"He didn't start maturing until he was six and even when he was seven he was still a big kid."

Castlemagne King is approaching as century of race starts, Sunday’’s win being the 13th of his career at his 96th start.