Di Caprio wins New Brighton Cup

Fifth in the New Zealand Cup last year, Di Caprio has also made the field for this year's race on Tuesday November 9.

The Brian O'Meara-trained six-year-old sealed his place in the Cup field by winning the Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup at Addington on Friday night.

Driven by Sam Ottley, Di Caprio was three back the pegs turning for home but got vital racing room to overhaul the pace-setting Classie Brigade, and Copperhead Rose, who led and then trailed.

Di Caprio's victory follows his third in the Maurice Holmes Vase a week ago. Classie Brigade won that race, also clinching a place in the New Zealand Cup.

In the New Brighton Cup Classie Brigade stepped well and led before taking the trail behind Copperhead Rose. With a lap to go John Dunn eased the favourite around the leader to take up the pace. But in the final 200 metres he was under severe pressure with Di Caprio squeezing his way through to win by half a length.

Second favourite A G's White Socks was slow away and then looped the field to sit parked before fading to fifth.

While Dunn was second with Classie Brigade, the 2020 New Brighton Cup winner, he had earlier got superstar trotter Sundees Son back into the winner's circle in the Ordeal Cup.

It was Sundees Son's third straight victory in the Group Three feature, and follows his third fresh up last week .