The horse hadn't raced beyond 1600m and needed this 2100m as preparation for the Dunstan Final.
Richardson was so sure Green Supreme wouldn't handle the track, which had turned to heavy after 90 minutes of torrential rain, that he advised stewards of the fact.
Top-class horses overcome all sorts of unsuitable elements and Green Supreme covered himself in glory by coming from last to score comfortably.
It was a fabulous performance. Apart from the ground being a questionable element, many horses find their first middle-distance race quite difficult.
This could not have been achieved more stylishly.
"This is possibly the best horse I've trained," said Richardson.
Veyron probably secured favouritism for the $200,000 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie with his 1600m Te Rapa victory under 60.5kg.
The margin was not great, but the ease of the victory was.
This was not a Zabeel Classic list of opposition, but 60.5kg has the ability to anchor most horses.
Veyron's big frame helped.
"Everyone knows he's big, but you don't realise how big until you're on his back," said Leith Innes, replacing an injured Rogan Norvall.
"He's a beast."
Trainer Linda Laing had no doubt her horse could lump the big weight to victory on Saturday.
"He carries a lot more than 60.5kg when I ride him."
At level weights in the weight-for-age Zabeel, Veyron is in the right sort of form to put yet another element into his scorecard.
There was relief on the face of trainer Jason Bridgeman when Irish Rebel made a stunning winning debut in the NZ Bloodstock 2YO Premier at Awapuni on Saturday.
The relief showed when Bridgeman watched the race on television at Te Rapa races.
"There is always a big breath to let go when a horse of this bloke's value wins at their first start," said the Te Akau trainer.
Te Akau principal David Ellis paid $800,000 for the son of Danehill Dancer at Karaka in February.
Irish Rebel won with a lot of authority by nearly four lengths.
"What we'll attempt to do with this bloke is create a stallion's CV, like we did with Darci Brahma," said Ellis yesterday.
"I believe Danehill Dancer is the best sire son of Danehill and is proving himself to be a sire of sires.
"Darci Brahma has already earned $16 million in service fees and it's not impossible he could end up earning lifetime service fees of $100 million," said Ellis.
Irish Rebel will race next in the $70,000 Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on January 1 then the Karaka Million on January 29.
Montjeu gelding Roi D'Jeu has his moments as a gay deceiver for punters, but he threw in one of his better efforts when second to Veyron on Saturday.
He is a better than a handy stayer when in top form and is being aimed at the Wellington Cup over 2400m on January 28 by his trainer Shaune Ritchie.
"He's always better when there's a bit of rain around," said Ritchie of Saturday's slow track.
The problem heading to Trentham is the lack of an ideal lead-up race.
"I'd love to give him a 2000m at Ellerslie, but there isn't one this year.
"I'll have to send him around in either the Stratford Cup or the Thames Cup."
Brave Ali is well named.
He showed a lot of ticker to narrowly outlast Grande Bellezza in the first at Te Rapa after the mare looked certain to run him down for most of the home straight.
That was Brave Ali's only second run beyond 1600m and staying looks to be his future.
The well bred Chaumont is another who looked good winning.
He was last down the back straight and even though the field lacked overall strength, he was impressive in the way he finished off.
Difficult to judge the run of Sir Slick.
With 59.5kg - 5.5kg more than the others - it was tough for him and he fought strongly along the rails to dead-heat for second after being taken on in front.
Despite all that, and the fact that he was probably one race short, this was not a Zabeel Classic line-up.
The Matamata Racing Club is not in panic mode for its record $500,000 Wednesday Pick6 after the weekend's heavy rain.
Torrential rain set in for the last three races at Te Rapa on Saturday, reducing a slow track to as wet, heavy and difficult as it could get in summer months.
And Matamata didn't miss its share - 60mm late on Saturday and on Saturday night.
It took the track reading from slow to heavy, but the forecast is the encouraging aspect - fine today, tomorrow and Wednesday.
If that is accurate the footing is expected to get back to 5 or 6.
