Don’t sleep on Claude in the Christmas Cup
Garrick Knight - Raceform • December 23rd, 2025 2:23 PM
Claude’s numerical form line might be a touch misleading heading into Wednesday’s $25,000 Cambridge Pacers Christmas Cup.
That’s the opinion of his co-trainer Andrew Neal who, together with wife Lyn, will line up four strong chances at the big annual meeting on their local track.
“He’s going far better than his form suggests,” Neal told RaceForm. “He’s been unlucky several times recently and, really, is running the best races of his life at the moment.”
The rising eight-year-old ticked over $100,000 in career earnings when catching the eye with a late burst behind Words in a Golden Gait Final at Alexandra Park last Friday night, albeit only for a sixth placing.
“These old Auckland Reactors just seem to get better with age – there’s been a few like this.”
At one point a couple of years ago, the Neals were planning on taking Claude to the Queensland winter carnival on a one-way ticket as a travel mate for another horse. But the trip never happened and he’s continued to be a valuable stable asset ever since.
“He’s in the best form of his life, there’s no doubt about it, even if the form line doesn’t reflect that.”
This week Claude starts from the front tapes and has a 10-metre advantage over most of his opponents.
“He looks really well-placed in that race. He goes away most of the time and Crystal (Hackett, driver) knows him really well.”
Neal was pleased that the connections of star pacer Akuta, who was initially in the nominations for the race off a 60-metre handicap, did not accept for the final field. What remains is an even group, but one that lacks a standout and obvious favourite.
The Nicky Chilcott-trained pair of Village Rebel and Blazing Louie are both good stayers and are in-form so will prove to beat.
By that point of the afternoon, Neal expects to have finally won a race with Life Less Ordinary, who will be well-supported in the $15,000 Garrards Horse & Hound 2YO Pace.
It’s ‘last chance saloon’ to try and get the $12,000 Entain/HRNZ 2YO Bonus and his last-start effort for fourth was a better run than anything else in the field has offered up to date.
“He went super last despite perhaps not getting the greatest drive. He’s got the gate speed, which I fully expect Todd (Mitchell, driver) to use this week.”
The Neals think a lot of the son of Always B Miki, which they purchased as a weanling.
“We’ve always had a lot of time for him and he’s only going to get better and better. He’s a lovely type. I expect him to win this week, all things being equal.”
Neal was mindful of debutant Crippa Max, who is unbeaten in two public trials for trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon. His mother, Elle Mac, is a former 2YO Filly and 4YO Mare of the Year while his father is the new boom sire Captaintreacherous, so it’s no surprise he cost $130,000 as a yearling.
“He’s obviously the one we are wary of, because you always have to respect those colours.”
Another stable two-year-old, Merle Mary, lines up in the $15,000 Dunstan Horsefeeds 2YO Fillies Mobile Pace and she has the benefit of barrier one.
Her debut effort for fifth was a pleasant surprise and it’s hoped that trend will continue on Wednesday.
“She’s very green and had only had the one proper trial at Pukekohe before her debut. There’s a wee bit of the unknown factor with her – we think she’s okay, but we don’t really know.
“We had a lot of problems with her getting on one rein but she’s through that now. I wasn’t sure what to expect on debut, but was pleasantly surprised. Crystal drove her and then put her hand up again, so that’s a good sign.
“The Bettor’s Delights do tend to lift themselves on raceday and we are kind of expecting that to be the case with her.”
Rounding out the team is veteran trotter Trifolium, who recently returned to the stable after a stint on the beach in South Auckland with Bernie Hackett and Michelle Wallis.
“He’s been going really well since we got him back. He was hurting in behind, but we’ve shod him off his bumpers now and he’s been racing quite well. I’m expecting a good run from him in that field.”
Neal has recently been elected to the Board of Cambridge Raceway, a job he is very excited about after the club’s recent upheavals.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but I’m excited to get stuck in. Rob Lawson has also joined and with his past experience on the HRNZ Board, he’s going to be a valuable asset.”
Meanwhile, Lyn Neal is working her way back from a broken arm which has caused her to prematurely wind down her driving career.
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