Prince Oz Honours Ridley in Stewards Triumph

Media Release - Wednesday November 11

Emotions were running high after venerable galloper Prince Oz landed a knock-out blow in the Gr.3 Lindauer Stewards Stakes Handicap (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.

Prince Oz scored an emotional victory in the G3 Lindauer Stewards Stakes Handicap. Photo: Race Images CHCH

Sent out a $31 chance, the nine-year-old gelding wound back the clock to win the Stewards Stakes for the second time in his career, having saluted for trainer Neill Ridley in 2018, who prepared the son of O’Reilly to win on eight occasions, including seven in succession.

Ridley, 67, who had cancer, died peacefully at his home last month, 13 days after he had his last two starters, including Prince Oz, who ran sixth on that occasion.

Now in the care of local trainer Terri Rae, Prince Oz became Rae’s sixth winner of New Zealand Cup week in a fitting tribute to the late Ridley, with several of his family and friends on track.

Ridden by regular jockey Terry Moseley, Prince Oz came from second last to win comfortably at his second start for Rae, recording the tenth victory of his career.

“It’s a pretty emotional win,” Moseley said.

“Full credit to Terri and the team. She has produced this horse in great order but as you can appreciate we’re a man down this year and we’re really missing a good mate in Neill.

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“He was a great man in racing and a good supporter of mine.

“It panned out exactly how I thought. The pace was on, there was good tempo and I knew he could get over the top of them.

“His form had been a little bit lackluster over the past twelve months and he had only won one race, but in his defense, he had never really gone a bad race and he is always super competitive.”

Bred and raced by the Connors family of Wanganui, the veteran galloper had 11 starts for Raymond Connors for one win before transferring south and proving a revelation in Ridley and now Rae’s care.

Just 35 minutes after Prince Oz’ triumph, Queen Jetsun also returned to scale to emotional scenes after winning the RFL Premier (1800m), the first winner for trainer Lyn Prendergast since her husband and training partner Tony died in August. – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Stewards Stakes Gr3 1200m

Riccarton Park Track: Slow(7) Time: 1:10.02
1
Prince Oz
- 9g O'Reilly (NZ) x Royal Princess (NZ) (Seasoned Star (AUS))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: T R Moseley 55
2
1.3
Rocanto
- 8g Per Incanto (USA) x Romantic Liaisons (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: K Asano 54
3
1.4
Puysegur
- 4m Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Pins 'n' Needles (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: C J Grylls 53
Fastnet Rock
4
1.7
Turncoat
- 8g Swiss Ace (AUS) x Miz Monroe (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S L Wynne 53.5
5
3.5
Wekaforce
- 5m Showcasing (GB) x Spera (NZ) (Country Reel (USA))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: L J Allpress 53.5
6
3.6
Miss Federer
- 4m Swiss Ace (AUS) x Halobelle (NZ) (My Halo (ARG))
Tnr: Andrew Carston Rdr: S T Collett 53
7
3.7
Johnny Jones
- 8g Pins (AUS) x Raining (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: J & K Parsons Rdr: A Comignaghi 55.5
8
5.6
Enzo's Lad
- 8g Testa Rossa (AUS) x Sheerama (AUS) (Catbird (AUS))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: S R Weatherley 60
9
6.1
Sensei
- 6h Dream Ahead (USA) x Schiaparelli (AUS) (Woodman (USA))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: M J Mc Nab 58
10
8.3
Fibonacci
- 7g Per Incanto (USA) x Da Vinci Code (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: S R Mercer Rdr: S J Macnab 53
11
11.2
Morweka
- 7m Showcasing (GB) x Spera (NZ) (Country Reel (USA))
Tnr: Ms T Rae Rdr: M Cameron 53.5
12
11.9
Princess Amelie
- 5m Snitzel (AUS) x Just Dancing (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: D S Johnson 53
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