Phillips’ long association with Winton Jockey Club
Trainer and committee man John Phillips has sights on Winton Cup with Midnight Runner.
Jamie Searle is a long-time Southland racing reporter. For more of his work head to the Southland Thoroughbreds Facebook page.
Trainer John Phillips has been on the Winton Jockey Club's committee for more than 30 years and on Sunday, he hopes to win the WJC's cup race with Midnight Runner.
Phillips trained Jack Daniels to win it 26 years ago.
Nine-year-old Midnight Runner, who is probably in his last season of racing, finished second in the Winton Cup in 2022.
Midnight Runner's latest start resulted in a third in an open 1100m at Gore on September 24. With the Winton Cup over 1400m Phillips will race him without blinkers to help him settle early.
"I've taken the blinkers off so he doesn't over-race, doesn't pull," he said.
"He has to be a good chance, he never really chucks in a bad one.
Midnight Runner's carded weight is 61kg, but his rider, Cambridge apprentice Elen Nicholas, will use her 2kg claim to reduce it to 59. Nicholas gained a second on him in an open 1200m at the Grand National meeting at Riccarton in August.
The Winton Cup is sponsored this year by Washrite & Hyde Landscaping.
Tiger Fire, Darcee Que and Hidalgo will also represent Phillips at the Winton meeting.
Nicholas is also booked for Tiger Fire (Farmers Dipping & Flash AGI rating 75) and Darcee Que (AB Lime & Trenz Homes rating 65).
Tiger Fire is nominated for the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton in November but will need to race well on Sunday and at Wingatui on October 19 to keep alive his chances of competing at Cup Week.
Phillips said Tiger Fire ran okay for sixth at Gore on September 24.
"He got flat-footed and was starting to run on the last bit. He found the line quite good."
Seven-year-old mare Darcee Que is having her first run back from a spell on Sunday.
"She's in beautiful order but could need the run.
"She didn't perform last season the way I thought she would," Phillips said.
If the track stays wet, Phillips expects Hidalgo to race well again after winning easily in heavy ground at Gore.
"The field is no stronger and he's trained on good."
Hidalgo will be ridden by Corey Campbell in the Nudd Dagg & Travellers Rest Tavern rating 65.