Grant Cooksley has made no secret of the high regard in which he holds Seventh Up, but this weekend he will ride stablemate Close Up when the pair meet in the Gr.2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Close Up

Cooksley has been enjoying an Australian holiday with his family and has been guided by Cambridge trainer Shelley Hale over which of his regular mounts he should ride on Saturday.

“I know he wanted to ride Seventh Up, but he left it up to me and I felt Close Up was a bit sharper when they worked together last Saturday morning,” Hale said.

“Seventh Up did work well last Thursday and did a bit more than I wanted, but I feel he’s not quite there yet.

“He has first choice each time they race and this time he’s on Close Up.”