Racing: Ritchie stays true to his cause

He's Under The Gun is a leading hope. Photo / Sarah Ivey

If you are in the team worried about Showcause's Wellington Cup ninth, you are in a different team to Frank Ritchie.

The Cambridge trainer says that though it is always at least a minor concern when a horse is beaten by nearly eight lengths, he is prepared to totally dismiss the Trentham performance.

"The wet track was right against him and I'm prepared to believe that was all that affected him that day," said Ritchie.

"He just never got going that day, not even for the first stride.

"I'm sure we will all see a different horse on a firm track this time."

Ritchie is happy with the way his City Of Auckland Cup winner has been working lately.

Two Central Districts stayers in Loose Change and Can't Keeper Down are strong chances.

Can't Keeper Down's fourth in the Wellington Cup last start was a downgrade on her terrific second to Mr Tipsy in the Marton Cup the start before.

In that race she sat three wide without cover and kept going strongly. A similar effort would put her right in this finish with just 52.5kg.

Melbourne-based Mike Moroney's New Zealand training partner Andrew Clarkin will start Tinseltown and He's Under The Gun.

Tinseltown was eased and sent to the Cambridge water-walker after a below-par eighth in the City Of Auckland Cup on January 1.

"He's got a bit more freshness in his legs now, but with 58.5kg I'm a little worried he might start to run out of condition in the last 150m," said Clarkin. "He's also got a bit of an awkward draw so he could just peak on his run late."

Stable rider Craig Grylls switches to stablemate He's Under The Gun.

"He's been going very good races and we're hoping he does enough this time to sneak him into the Auckland Cup.

"He's drawn the rail, so he's in the right position to take up a handy spot - hopefully he can take a trail.

"He got carted back along the rail in the Wellington Cup last start. He was about fifth just behind them approaching the home turn then got taken right back to the tail. I thought he did well to finish sixth."

Six O'Clock News kept going strongly to finish second to Spiro in the Wellington Cup and on that form has to rate highly.

Lester Morris is making a big trip from Rangiora with Trilogy. She was just beaten by Borninthestates in the Cup at Wingatui last time and three starts back flew home to be beaten a nose by In To Win at Awapuni.

Foxton co-trainer David Haworth says plenty will be going through the mind of O'Reilly's Prize in the starting gates in tomorrow's Avondale Guineas.

O'Reilly's Prize has won his past two races in the manner of a horse destined for stardom.

Whether that includes Derby stardom rests very much on how he copes with tomorrow.

"It's his first trip away from home, his first race past 1600m and there is plenty for a horse to see first time at Ellerslie. So, he'll have a lot going through his mind when he's in the gates on Saturday."

Trainer Shaune Ritchie is keen to talk to stewards tomorrow about a change in riding tactics for Hidden Asset.

Last start, Hidden Asset was ridden back from a wide gate in the Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa.

"I didn't want to see a repeat of when he came around the bend wide in the Championship Stakes at Ellerslie and ran about in the middle of the track. That's no way to train a horse for the Derby."

This time, Hidden Asset has drawn the No 1 barrier.

"He's done well since Te Rapa and should be just that little bit fitter this time. The barrier is important and we have to make use of it on a good track and with the rail out."