Racing: Ritchie has no worries about mare's No 1 barrier

James McDonald. Photo / APN

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie says the best feature of having a top jockey on in a group one race is you don't have to make decisions yourself.

Ritchie says there is a temptation to agonise over how to use Keep The Peace's No 1 barrier draw for tomorrow's Mudgway Stakes.

"It pretty much invites you to use the barrier and go forward up in behind the leaders, but the worry is being stuck on the fence if it turns out that's not the place to be."

Ritchie stopped worrying soon after the barrier draws came out early on Wednesday afternoon.

"It's great that James [McDonald] is on her - he can worry about it.

"There's no point in me making the decisions because he'll be out there and I won't be.

"There will be plenty of rides for him before the Mudgway to work out where he wants to be on her."

Much will depend on the pattern of the previous eight races on the programme.

Whether there is an on-pace bias, which often occurs on good footing at Hastings, or whether the expected slow rating turns it into a swoopers' affair should be known.

If the latter is the case, McDonald can afford to allow Keep The Peace to drop off the speed a fraction and move out and around the pack from the 500m.

Keep The Peace has a dominating finish and if she's able to be held up until the 250m will take plenty of beating.

Her work at Cambridge last Saturday morning was sparkling and track conditions will suit.

The blinkers were applied to Bulginbaah for a change in the Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa two weeks ago and the oldtimer raced with plenty of dash to get the money.

This is a tougher ask again, but as the winner of 21 races, who just loves rain-affected footing, he is greatly suited to the weight-for-age conditions.

Hastings horseman John Bary is happy to admit he's perhaps been a little biased about his Mudgway runner The Hombre.

Bary has been adamant The Hombre is best on a dead surface.

"Yet when you look at his record, he's been three times on a slow (7) or slow (8) surface and he's been placed each time.

"In fact, in each he's been a second placing."

Bary is starting to think The Hombre will run a competitive race.

"He hasn't had that long off since the Brisbane carnival and that will stand by him.

"He's got blinkers on for the first time."

Run Like Al turned in a good Te Rapa run behind Bulginabaah and rates highly, as does Vonusti, provided the surface suits.