Christchurch trainer Neill Ridley will get a tangible assessment of his chances with He Kin Fly in the Gr.2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile (1600m) during New Zealand Cup week after the son of Darci Brahma runs at Riccarton on Saturday.
The seven-year-old gelding will tackle the Coupland's Bakeries Mile Trial (1400m) as a stepping stone towards the Group Two feature on November 13 and has pleased Ridley in his lead up.
He Kin Fly was no match for Melody Belle when he finished 12th resuming in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings in August but back home he hit the line nicely after an interrupted run in the straight for fifth in the open sprint at Riccarton on September 21, just 1-1/2 lengths from winner Prince Oz.
"His last run was good. He's trained on nicely and I'm quite happy with him," Ridley said.
"He's well and he's going to get the sting out of the track which helps. The hard tracks aren't good for his old joints. But he doesn't take much to keep fit.
"He'll run here and probably run in the open mile at Ashburton in a couple of weeks' time to find out whether he'll run out a strong 1600m for the Coupland's Mile. It might be a bit far for him but time will tell. We'll give him his chance."
He Kin Fly, a $31 quote for the Coupland's Bakeries Mile, has only twice run past 1400m previously for second and sixth placings at 1600m in the lower grades.
TAB bookmakers opened him as a $4 second favourite for Saturday's race behind Kiwi Ida (Squamosa), who has firmed to $3.20.
Bred by Cambridge Hunt Ltd, He Kin Fly was sold as a weanling through Curraghmore's 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock May draft. - NZ Racing Desk
