Victoria heading for heights

It was appropriate Shaune Ritchie trained a winner on Bonecrusher Stakes day at Ellerslie.

There have been a few photo finishes since Ritchie became widely known as the young strapper of the champion who died earlier this year.

There’s no danger of Ritchie’s Saturday winner Victoria Heights challenging Bonecrusher as his alltime favourite, but she is developing as a handy stayer.

Ritchie knew the daughter of High Chaparral would need time to mature when he outlaid $56,000 for her at the 2012 National Yearling Sales. Syndicated among a large group of long-time stable clients, the mare made it win two from 10 starts with Ritchie predicting more to come.

‘‘When I picked her out at the sales I knew she was going to be the type that wouldn’t really start to hit her straps until she had grown into her frame and that wouldn’t be until she was at least a 4-year-old,’’ he said. ‘‘Thankfully the guys who bought into her accepted that and were happy to wait, which has helped immensely. They are all long-time clients and I think we are going to have some real fun with her now she is strong enough.’’

Ritchie is looking long-term towards the 2016 New Zealand Cup for Victoria Heights.