03 March 2010
Top sprinter Coup Align has been withdrawn from the S$1 million Krisflyer International Sprint in Singapore on May 16.
Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman has instead decided to turn Highview Stud-bred Coup Align out for a spell until May.
There was a good chance the son of Align would have been selected for the Krisflyer International Sprint but the length of the quarantine period required did not suit plans for his next campaign.
“The chance of a wet track was also a concern,” Pitman said.
Coup Align is likely to head to Melbourne early next season with the straight 1200m races at Flemington sure to suit him.
Coup Align rounded off his campaign this season with another Listed win at Wingatui in the Eclipse Stakes. He once again ran his rivals ragged in this race with a brilliant burst of acceleration running the 1200m in 1:10.20 to win by one-and-a-half lengths.
Coup Align has scored other Listed race wins this season in the Pegasus Stakes and Stewards Handicap at Riccarton – both in November.
He is raced by prominent South Island owner Ray Coupland, of Christchurch, along with his partner, Jill Walls. The gelding has won 10 of his 15 career starts to date.
