If Celtic Fantasy maintains his form and wins tomorrow's SkyCity Hamilton Casino Cup at Te Rapa and runs well in the Avondale Cup, trainer Craig Ritchie will start him in the Stella Artois Auckland Cup.
But he's not fussed if it doesn't happen. With a 21221 formline, Celtic Fantasy looks the emerging horse in staying ranks and his trainer will have big plans for him eventually.
However, Ritchie will be just as happy if that's a fair way down the line. "Look, if he gets into the Auckland Cup we'll run him for sure because it's a million dollars, but he's six months, possibly even a year away from his best form."
Everyone who rides Celtic Fantasy - Vinny Colgan, James McDonald and Matt Cameron - tell Ritchie the horse is a big baby who waits for the other horses when he gets to the front.
"To try and win an Avondale Cup or Auckland Cup when you do that is going to be difficult."
Celtic Fantasy looked a class above his opposition at Pukekohe last start, but Colgan came in and said the horse had tried to wait for the others when clear in the home straight.
Ritchie equally fancies stablemate Solid Billing tomorrow. "The distances have been too short each time and the runs haven't been bad.
"He's very forward for this and with the allowance he will carry only half a kilo above the minimum, so he comes into the race very well. I can't split the pair."
Racing: Ritchie has cup ambitions
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