Ringo tunes up for Anzac clash
Veteran has to give weight to a lot of horses at Awapuni
Ringo’s connections were satisfied with his first-up run and further improvement is expected from the stakes winner and Group One performer. The Awapuni galloper overcame a tardy start from a wide gate at Hastings to finish seventh in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Sprint (1200m) and the Fastnet Rock gelding has since trained on well.
Ringo will further his preparation on his home track today in the $50,000 Listed Manawatu ITM Anzac 1550m, in which he will be ridden by Jonathan Riddell.
“I’d probably prefer it to be 1400m rather than 1550m, but I’m really happy with him,” Breslin said.
“He’s an older horse now so he’s taking a bit longer to come up and he has to give weight to a lot of horses in a handicap.”
Ringo has been a trusty servant of the stable with eight wins, including success in the Gr.3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m), and a third placing in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m).
He has also twice finished runnerup in the Gr.2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m).
“He’s an eight-year-old now and it’s a matter of trying to place him right to give him his best chance,” Breslin said.
He will also be represented today by King Cougar in the Carpet King Handicap (1200m), Wafer runs in the Power Farming Handicap (2100m) and Ravenhill contests the Yealands Family Wines Maiden (2100m).
“King Cougar is resuming and he’s pretty forward while Wafer has been off the winning scene for a while, but she has been unlucky a few times and I’ve still got faith that she can win a few more,” Breslin said. Ravenhill has finished in the money in three of her last four starts and her stamina will be tested for the first time in the opening event.
Chris Gibbs was pleased with the results from his two representatives at Pukekohe and is already looking ahead to feature assignments next season.
The Ruakaka trainer produced Comin’through to finish second to Blue Breeze in Saturday’s open 2200m and Romancer to run third in the Gr.2 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m).
“I was happy with their runs,” Gibbs said. “Comin’through has gone out for a spell and it’s likely we’ll do the same with Romancer.
“Comin’through has had a long campaign and it was a last-minute decision to throw a late nom in for Pukekohe.
“He’s been honest and was only a length and a-half from the winner in the Auckland Cup. He’ll be set for a New Zealand Cup campaign.
“As for Romancer, there will be plenty of opportunities for him next season.
“He’s not a mudder and I thought on a slow track he was a chance, but when it became heavy I was a little bit uncertain. He did well.”
Meantime, Gibbs has six acceptors at Avondale today, including impressive last-start winner Toy Kingdom and the juvenile debutantes Chapeau and Pacific in the Contessa Vanessa New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series 1200m.
“The blinkers on Toy Kingdom have made the difference,” Gibbs said. “He should be a good chance again and if he goes well there’s a chance we might look at taking him to Queensland.
“As for Chapeau and Pacific, they will find it hard to beat Media Sensation and the other winner in the field [Kailani Sunset], but they show promise.
“Chapeau has drawn wide so we’re treating it as more like a trial for her. She needs to start off somewhere.
“Pacific has drawn well and she’ll improve a lot with the race, too.”
Chapeau has been placed in both her trials, the latest a second to Kailani Sunset, while Pacific has had three trials for two placings and was fourth of five in the same heat won by Kailani Sunset. — NZ Racing Desk