by Michael Guerin
Close enough is not good enough for Steven Reid so Star Galleria is out of the IRT New Zealand Cup.
Reid has decided his stable star will not head south even though he was okay on the clock running sixth in the Holmes D G at Alexandra Park last Friday.
Starting off a 30m handicap, Star Galleria broke 3:20 for the 2700m standing start but while that is good enough to be in a New Zealand Cup, Reid says it is not good enough to be competitive in one.
“I don’t think he can go down there and beat horses like Self Assured and Spankem, or Copy That who beat him last week,” admits Reid.
“The other owners weren’t keen to go after his run last week and to be honest I didn’t try too hard to talk them into it.
“His times have been really good, as they have to be in his grade, but not good enough to win a Cup.
“So I think we will stay up here and he can have plenty of racing over the summer he is eligible for and ultimately I’d like to see him head to Sydney for a campaign.” Reid will also be keeping his other leading lights closer to home as Mr Fantastic, who was aptly-named beating the older horses at Alexandra Park last Friday, is not eligible for the Sires’ Stakes so won’t be at Addington.
“He will have one more start then a week in the paddock and get ready for Christmas.” And two-year-old filly of the year Shes No Lady has the good fillies races at Alexandra Park over coming months.
“She got back on the inside last week but hit the line well,” said Reid.
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