Defending champion Rich Hips gave reigning Champion Australian stallion Written Tycoon a stakes double on Melbourne Cup Day following an explosive performance in the Group III The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
Click here to read about his earlier stakes-winner Milton Park.
Ridden by Nash Rawiller for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Rich Hips mounted a challenge closest to the fence. The First Light Racing colour-bearer came away to defeat Excelida (Exceed And Excel) by one and a quarter lengths with Paul’s Regret (Canford Cliffs) a further three and a quarter lengths back in third.
Rich Hips was unplaced in six starts since winning the Group III Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield in February.
“She’s gone up to that level where she’s been racing against the Group 1 mares. It’s tough,” Busuttin said.
“She’s run consistently throughout the year and been two or three lengths off them. She hasn’t had things go her way, and she had them go her way today.
“She had a little operation - she had an entrapped epiglottis. She wasn’t bad at the mile, but she didn’t quite see it out. 1400 metres is her go, so we freshened her up and there wasn’t a lot left, and this was it.
“She’s Group III, maybe Group II, but it would be great to get that Group 1.
“We might sneak her up to Newcastle in ten days for The Gong.”
With her third Group III success, Rich Hips advances her record to seven wins, a second and two thirds from 22 starts with earnings of $552,740.
A $130,000 purchase by First Light Racing / Busuttin Racing / P Willetts out of the Woodside Park draft at the 2018 Premier Yearling Sale, Rich Hips is the best of three winners from four to race out of the Flying Spur mare She’s Curvaceous.
A full sister to Group II winner Velasco, the dam of Group III winner Debellatio and stakes-winner Devoirs, She’s Curvaceous has a 2yo colt by Tosen Stardom (Jpn), a $75,000 purchase by First Light Racing / Busuttin Racing / Paul Willetts Bloodstock, out of the Cornerstone Stud draft at the upcoming Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
After foaling a Rich Enuff filly last spring, She’s Curvaceous slipped to Harry Angel (IRE).
