Ringo late entry for rich race

Manawatu galloper Ringo is a late entry for the $200,000 Group I Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Entries closed on Tuesday, with the final field of 16 runners, and up to four ballots, to be declared this morning.

Volpe Veloce, who has won eight of her nine starts, was a $3 favourite in fixed odds betting on Tuesday, with Kawi, who is seeking a hat-trick of wins in the race, at $3.50 and the only other runner at single-figure odds.

Ringo was a Group III winner over 1400m at Hastings last spring and ran third in the Group I Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) in December.

He was also runner-up in the Group II Coupland’s Mile at Riccarton.

The Fastnet Rock gelding is trained by Mike Breslin and has had two trials since being placed at weight-for-age at Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Eight Group I winners - Kawi, Gingernuts, Thee Auld Floozie, Aide Memoire, Perfect Fit, Sofia Rosa, Rangipo and Luna Rossa were among the 27 horses left in the Tarzino field on Tuesday.

Meanwhile Hiflyer’s return to racing has been delayed and the stakes performer is now likely to resume next month.

The talented son of Tavistock, whose last appearance resulted in a runner-up finish in the Group II Easter Handicap, was nominated for Saturday’s Hawke’s Bay meeting but trainer Peter Lock has revised that plan.

‘‘It’s just been so wet and hard to get him ready,’’ trainer Peter Lock said.

‘‘He’s going to go to Te Rapa on Thursday morning for a hit-out instead and he will probably have his first race in an open 1200m at Ruakaka on September 16.

Meanwhile, Lock is hoping for a perfect result at Matamata on Wednesday when he runs Patricia Anne in a 1400m race.

He also has Dougie and Southern Princess in a 1200m race.