Let Her Rip’s back-up plan
Let Her Rip’s connections have a back-up plan should their first-up specialist not make the field for the season’s opening Group I contest.
Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie is keen to run the mare in the Tarzino Trophy at Hastings where she currently sits on the fringe as 21st in order of entry.
‘‘She’s 40-1 for the race and that’s probably fair as it will be a strong field of weight-for-age performers,’’ Ritchie said.
‘‘She is a Group Three winner and we’re hoping the big wet will continue through to Hastings and she can run in the top three.
‘‘She is borderline to get in so we’re thinking that if she doesn’t, and as she is so effective fresh, that we might look at the Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington.
‘‘It’s a Group Two at set weights and penalties and a race we won with Zurella.
‘‘Our first preference though would be to stay closer to home and have a crack at that Group One.’’
Let Her Rip will further her preparation with a gallop between races at Ruakaka on Wednesday.
Ritchie is also hoping to have a couple of talented performers in action on the Hastings undercard.
‘‘Bella Gioia and Cut Me Loose will be presented at Hawke’s Bay at some point over the carnival,’’ he said.
Last season’s Group I New Zealand 1000 Guineas runner-up, Bella Gioia’s Queensland winter carnival campaign was cut short after an unplaced run in the Fred Best Classic on a heavy Eagle Farm track that took its toll.
‘‘She’s doing great now and she’s still got residual fitness,’’ Ritchie said. ‘‘Cut Me Loose is a smart horse and he’s coming up nicely as well.’’
The Swiss Ace 4-year-old has won two of his four starts last season and finished third behind Saracino in the Wellington Guineas.