Racing: Drum beats for Ringo as stable star heads runners at Riccarton

Ringo. File photo/ NZ Racing Desk

Mike Breslin hopes to make a splash at Riccarton Park this week.

The Awapuni trainer, who would like to see some rain in Christchurch, will have form runners in three group races over the next four days.

Stable star Ringo is the highest rated runner in today's $230,000 Coupland's Bakeries Mile and stablemate Heni is the top rated runner in the $80,000 Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders' Stakes (1400m).

Breslin has two other form runners - Tarihira and Stephenstihls - today and is confident that Sweepstake can be competitive in the $300,000 gavelhouse.com One Thousand Guineas on Saturday. Ringo was the runner-up in the group two Coupland's last year, beaten half a head by Addictive Habit, and the race has long been his main aim this spring. "We are really happy with the horse," Breslin said. "He was only beaten by the bob of the head last year and I think he's going a tad better this year. He's travelled well and is going to be right at his best for Wednesday."

However, Breslin knows that Ringo will need to produce a peak run to give the opposition weight and a beating. The Fastnet Rock gelding has 59kg, 4kg more than last year, and will be giving up to 7kg to his rivals.

Breslin would also be more confident if there was some easing in track conditions. "I would love to see him on an easy or slow track. It got pretty hard by the end of the day last weekend.

"He's always better with some give in the ground. But it was a good last year, when he ran second, so he can sometimes get away with one on firm ground. But he never seems to get the ideal conditions in the big races."

Ringo won a group three 1400m on a slow track at Hastings in October, when resuming, and hit the line well when third in the an open 1400m at Awapuni at his last start.

"He's looking for a mile on a roomy track now," Breslin said.

- NZ Racing Desk