Racing: Jumping career was next option

Shaune Ritchie was standing at Trentham races alongside racecaller Tony Lee when My Scotsgrey ran in the last race at Ellerslie two starts back.

When the big stayer was trailing the leaders to the home turn Ritchie turned to Lee and said: "If this horse doesn't win this time he'll end up a steeplechaser.

"And I'm not sure whether it'll be at Nakayama [$3 million-plus] or at Paeroa."

My Scotsgrey won easily.

It saved the camp another round of calls that the horse was just another "gunna".

My Scotsgrey confirmed the strength of that win with an easy victory in the lead-up on the first day of the Riccarton carnival last Saturday and is now the warm favourite for tomorrow's $225,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup.

Ritchie believes My Scotsgrey is finally where he needs to be - facing a 3200m race.

"He's only just turned 4 so obviously he's getting his first crack at the extreme distance. He's always been a two-miler."

My Scotsgrey has two big advantages: he didn't have to have a gut-buster and as the race was penalty free he comes in again with a light weight.

This time he carries 52.5kg, just under the 53kg he had last Saturday.

The only negative Ritchie can find is the wide starting gate.

"I'll be telling Leith [Innes] nothing. A rider of his calibre shouldn't need instructions."

Two of the main dangers, So Royal and The Mooseisloose, did not run against My Scotsgrey last Saturday.

The late blooming So Royal has been impressive winning four of her eight career starts this season.

Each time she has got to the finish strongly, giving the impression the massive step from 2000m lately to 3200m may not be beyond her.

John Sargent has a big opinion of the mare.

The Mooseisloose has gallantly won 2400m races at his past two starts. He has had his issues, but seems relatively sound right now and is right in the mix.