O'Sullivan bright on Cup hope

Glenn Watson | 10th March 2010

Lance O'Sullivan has given Everbright a huge thumbs up ahead of today's $1 million Auckland Cup at Ellerslie.

The most successful jockey New Zealand has produced rode the 7-year-old, who has won almost $1 million - most of it courtesy of some big wins in Hong Kong - in trackwork yesterday and said he felt in great shape.

"I'd say he's the most sound he's been since coming back from Hong Kong. He's a lovely, relaxed horse with great manners. He's an easy horse to ride."

Wear and tear finally caught up with the son of Cape Cross in Hong Kong a year ago and trainer Paul O'Sullivan decided to send him home to Andrew Scott after a long break.

In Hong Kong, Everbright won two Queen Elizabeth Cups  over 2400m.

Lance O'Sullivan is quietly confident another 800m won't bother him today. He will be ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michael Rodd.

O'Sullivan conceded he had done little research into today's field, but at a glance it looked down on quality.

"Let's face it, when was the last time we had a strong Auckland Cup field?"

O'Sullivan picked Aussie raider Zavite, who is proven over 3200m, as the toughest to beat.

The race has lost a lot of gloss through the scratching of injured favourite Passchendaele.

But at least heartbroken trainer John Sargent has two capable back-ups in the vastly improved Heza Karma Karzi and the veteran Young Centaur.

Heza Karma Karzi is the new cup favourite, something that doesn't surprise Sargent.

"I probably rated the Aussie Zavite a big chance, but I always thought my other horse was one of the real toughest to beat," he said.

 Outside Everbright, Zavite and Heza Karma Karzi, there appears to be few winning chances.

 Last year's winner, Spin Around, hasn't exactly set pulses racing this season and ran a shocker last Saturday, as did Mark Walker's Zabene.

Willy Smith and Mandela are getting a little long in the tooth, while Booming is a rising stayer but may be taking a step too far at this stage He does have Glen Boss aboard, however.

Six O'Clock News  often fails to deliver and the distance may test Manonamission.

 Fixed odds: Zavite $6, Spin Around $10, Mandela $31, Everbright $9, Manonamission $26, Young Centaur $26, Six O'Clock News $6.50, Tinseltown $41, Zabene $21, Booming $7, Heza Karma Karzi $5, Minqar Qaim $18, Bakup $18, rest $41 and over.