A lucrative bonus has enticed the connections of Quiz Kid to send the in-form galloper down south early ahead of the Group 3 Winning Edge Presentations 124th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton in a fortnight.
The Cambridge gelding has made the long trek down to Oamaru to contest the Crombie And Price LTD Oamaru Cup (1600m) on Sunday, with the winner being in line for a NZD$36,000 bonus should they also win the Winter Cup.
With trainers Craig and Shaun Phelan believing Saturday's Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup distance of 1400m was too short for their charge, they thought it was a no-brainer to send him south early and chase the rich bonus.
“There is a bonus if you can win both Sunday's race and the Winter Cup,” Shaun Phelan said.
“We didn't think the Opunake Cup would suit him as a lead-up, he wants a bit further than 1400m.
“We are lucky enough to be able to send him down to Dianne and Caroline Kennedy in Waimate, not far from Oamaru.”
Quiz Kid headed south earlier this week to give him time to settle into his new surroundings and get over the long float trip, and Phelan has received positive reports about the horse.
“They crossed over on Tuesday and got there on Wednesday,” Phelan said.
“He is a seasoned campaigner and has got plenty of condition on him. He is not a bad traveller and has eaten up well down there, so I am pretty happy with him.”
The son of Iffraaj has been in a purple patch of form of late, winning two of his last four starts, and finished runner-up in the Listed ANZAC Mile (1550m) and Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m).
“He has really hit some form now that horse, he has come of age,” Phelan said.
Bookmakers have installed Quiz Kid as a +190 favourite for the race, with Tappy's One on the second line of betting at +450.
Meanwhile, stablemate Big Mike will tackle the Super Seth @ Waikato Stud 1500 at Te Rapa on Saturday.
“It is just basically a gallop for him,” Phelan said. “He missed going to Ruakaka last week so we thought we would just tick him over for another run here. He might run a cheeky race.
“We have got Erin Leighton on, so that will be good to use her claim.”