Ritchie’s formidable Derby prospects
New Zealand Derby hopes Formidable and Owen Patrick have the opportunity at Ellerslie on Sunday to boost their classic prospects.
The stablemates will step out in the Auckland Age Group Concerns 3YO Salver (2100m) in bids to take the financial pressure off securing starts in March’s Vodaphone-sponsored three-yearold feature.
‘‘It probably hasn’t been the greatest lead-up to the Derby, but in this case if they can bank some money it puts us in a more comfortable position,’’ Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie said.
Formidable, a son of Shocking, had twice finished runner-up before he broke through at Avondale over 1600m last time out.
‘‘He won a soft maiden race as an odds-on favourite and while he may not have been that impressive, he’s a real staying horse,’’ Ritchie said.
Owen Patrick placed in his first two appearances but was caught wide on a slow pace when out of the frame in the Trevor Eagle Memorial (1500m).
‘‘He’s been racing against the better quality fields without any luck,’’ Ritchie said.
‘‘He’s drawn wide in all three runs and he’s got the outside gate again on Sunday.’’
Meanwhile, post-race comments from Leith Innes have encouraged Swisswatch’s connections that the last-start winner can make an impact over more ground.
The promising son of Swiss Ace was runner-up on debut before he cruised home under Leith Innes over 1400m at Pukekohe.
‘‘He couldn’t have been more impressive and the first thing I asked Leith was would he get a mile and he said no doubt,’’ trainer Shaune Ritchie said.