Alottago leading southern charge in 2000 Guineas
Joshua Smith • November 14th, 2025 10:28 AM • 3 min read
A batch of quality northerners have landed in Christchurch ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 (Guineas) at Riccarton, and local hope Alottago will lead the southern defence.
The son of Tagaloa hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in his six-start career, placing in all three of his starts as a juvenile, including the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) and Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m), before returning as a three-year-old where he won his next two starts before finishing runner-up in last month’s Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) behind Cool Aza Rene.
Trainer Lance Robinson has been pleased with his progress since that run and is excited to test his talent against some highly credentialed northerners on Saturday.
“It is good having him in a race like that, we are excited about it,” Robinson said.
“It is a step up, but all Group Ones are hard to win. I am happy with him, he has done everything right, so we will find out how good we are.
“He just keeps stepping up all the time. The more we give him the better he gets. As long as he keeps on going that way I think he has got the makings of a very good horse.”
The stable started New Zealand Cup Week off on a winning note courtesy of Pequot last Saturday, and the Vanbrugh gelding will back-up a week later in Saturday’s Moshtix Premier (1600m).
“Pequot won on the first day where he was very impressive and he has done well this week,” Robinson said. “He steps up to a 75 rating race and we are happy with him.”
“She is a runner’s chance,” Robinson said.
Robinson has been pleased with his stable’s efforts during his home carnival, with Eight Pence also collecting a winning cheque at Riccarton on Wednesday in the Avon City Ford Premier (1400m), and he is hoping to continue that winning trend this weekend.
“I was very pleased with him (Eight Pence), he just keeps stepping up,” Robinson said. “Every race we have given him he has just improved every time. He is going the right way.
“He was a very immature horse and he has just taken a little bit of time and the owner has been very patient with him. He has given him the time and now he is reaping the rewards.
“I will see how he comes through it and we will make a plan in a couple of days. We are in no rush with him, time is his best friend.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
