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.

Advertisement

“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

Advertisment

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
More Reading...
Four Winners for Dennis
Local trainer Robert Dennis won half of the eight-race card at Ascot Park on Friday, culminating with a special win by Sir Sterling in the Vale Tony Dennis (1400m).
Kiwi Sires a Recipe for NZB Ready to Run Sale Success
Much of the NZB Ready to Run Sale’s extraordinary success has been underpinned by the stallions that have stood in New Zealand in recent decades.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Darley Flight Stakes
The prestigious Darley Princess Series reaches its crescendo this week with the 77th running of the $750,000 G1 ATC Flight Stakes (1600m) over Royal Randwick's famous mile.
Mogumber Park hoists wet sail with Marine One
This time last year, the first foals by Mogumber Park stallion Marine One were widely regarded as some of the best types on the ground in Western Australia.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 2
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
We had three heats for 2YO’s run at Warwick Farm on Friday morning over 815m with winners by Farnan, Ole Kirk and Kia Ora Stud’s first season sire Captivant, while Stay Inside had an impressive trial winner at Murray Bridge.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.