Shaune Ritchie is confident Chapchick is set for a rewarding winter campaign, although he's a touch wary about her prospects at Te Aroha today.
While delighted with her effort for second when resuming on the track earlier this month, the Cambridge trainer has voiced his reservations about her going one better in the R75 Ecolab 1600. "The first-up run was exceptional and clearly she's in for a very good season," Ritchie said.
"I've been a bit light on her since and if I'd had a crystal ball and knew it was going to be heavy I would have done a bit more with her.
"Opie Bosson is on her, which is a big plus ... and it's not always easy coming from the back on heavy tracks. When she gets to 2000m look out - she's got the pedigree, being by High Chaparral and a half-sister to Mr Tipsy. I've made the mistake before of going up to 2000 second-up so she'll have this and then step up."
Apprentice allowances can be vital on testing going and Viktoria Gatu's 4kg claim will greatly assist Bob Valdez. By Shinko King, his only heavy going outing resulted in a fourth placing and he didn't have a great deal of luck last time out at Awapuni.
