Consistent top level performer Battle Time gained a deserved stakes victory with a commanding front-running performance at Riccarton to win the in Wednesday's Group II Coupland's Bakeries Mile.
The four-year-old trumped his rivals when a pre-race plan to use his early pace and light weight was flawlessly
executed by rider Sam Spratt.
"I wanted Sam to be positive and I knew the horse had plenty of gate speed and she did a marvellous job on him," said Cambridge horsewoman Margaret Carter, who trains Battle Time with her husband Tim.
"She rated him perfectly and they got the job done."
Battle Time had only been successful in two previous races, but his winning record didn't truly reflect his talent. He was runner-up in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes as a two-year-old and the following season he also finished second in the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas.
He also has black type placings to his credit in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas and the Listed Reid & Harrison Slipper.
This term, the entire ran in all three legs of the Triple Crown series at Hastings and was brave when sixth and fourth respectively in the Makfi Challenge Stakes and the Windsor Park Plate before he found 2000 metres beyond him in the Livamol Classic.
"We've planned this for a while and although the horse has been in and out of form, we know he's got all the ability," Carter said.
Battle Time hit the ground running from an outside gate at Riccarton to cross the field and he settled well for Spratt.
"We drew out, but I wasn't worried as I knew he would roll forward and he got the lead easily," she said.
"He kicked on the turn with the light weight and he's a big, strong boy. I did think he might have needed an easing of the ground, but he's pretty tough and he won well."
Last year's runner-up Ringo, who had to concede Battle Time seven kilos, was gallant in finishing second again while 2012 winner Nashville was tardily away and hit the line well for third. – NZ Racing Desk.
