Trav out to defend Auckland Cup crown

[Wandering Eyes]

Bulls trainer Raymond Connors has a sense of déjà vu with his quality stayer Trav (NZ) (Almanzor) ahead of Saturday’s Gr.2 Trackside Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie.

The son of Almanzor was strong late when finishing fourth in last year’s Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) ahead of his victory in the Auckland Cup, and he put in a near identical performance at Trentham in January when finishing fifth, giving Connors the confidence to press on to try and defend his crown in the Auckland Cup.

“He is pretty similar (to last year), so hopefully he repeats it,” Connors said. “It is an even sort of field and I think everybody has got a chance.”

Trav has been unplaced since his Auckland Cup heroics, campaigning in Melbourne in the spring before a couple of runs at home over summer, and Connors was rapt to see him return to form in the Wellington Cup.

“We were hoping he would run well and he did, so that was pleasing,” he said.

Trav carried 53kg to victory from a wide gate in last year’s Auckland Cup, and it is a case of rinse and repeat in this year’s edition where he will carry the same impost from barrier 16.

“He gets back whether we like it or not, that’s the way he races. He is not a great beginner out of the gates, which is a bit of a downfall, so he will get back,” Connors said.

“The two miles is the key with him, the further he goes the better. We know he gets the distance, so that is a big plus in our favour, and he seems to like it up there (Ellerslie).

“He should be finishing it off at the end I am hoping. We will see how we go, it will be interesting.”

Trav will be ridden by regular jockey Masa Hashizume, who rode him to victory in last year’s Auckland Cup.

He has been kept safe by TAB bookmakers who have installed him an $11 equal fifth favourite in a market headed by Australian raider Brayden Star at $4.40.

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