One of this season’s leading three-year-olds will be restricted to shorter trips in the new term in his transition to the weight-for-age ranks.
Dual stakes winner Tuxedo has fashioned an excellent record with three wins and two placings from six appearances, including successes in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m).
“He’s had two months off and his runs were well-spaced, his form line was fantastic,” said Shaune Ritchie, who prepares the son of Tivaci with Colm Murray.
Tuxedo also finished runner-up in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) with his only unplaced run coming when seventh in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).
“In the Derby, he ranged up to the favourite (Willydoit) on the corner after getting a pretty good run from the widest gate,” Ritchie said.
“He travelled into it like he was going to give him a hard time but just failed to run the trip out and we think he’ll be best around the mile mark this preparation.
“He’s been back in work for quite some time and had a couple of run alongs already, so we’ll hit the first two weight-for-age races (Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m), Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m)).”
Ritchie said Tuxedo had thrived during his time in the paddock.
“He was always a relatively strong horse and now he’s a powerhouse, he looks more like a sprinter-miler than a stayer. He put on about 45kg during the eight weeks he was out,” he said.
Tuxedo will also be part of the stable’s annual pilgrimage to Ruakaka.
“We’re planning our usual sojourn and will take eight horses up for a week and that will culminate with the mid-August meeting there,” Ritchie said.
“That will include Tuxedo, Tajana, Alaskan who came from near last to run sixth in the Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m), Hot Line Bling and Indigo, who is another nice filly, and Transcend, who copped a very heavy track at Wellington in her only start and got run down late.
“They won’t all necessarily run at that meeting, but it will bring them along.”
Darci Brahma filly Tajana is the current top seed among the rising three-year-olds.
“She’s the head of the bunch, I can’t remember the last time I ran a horse first-up in a Group race (Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic, 1200m) and she ran the colt (Return To Conquer) close,” Ritchie said.
Tajana subsequently won at Matamata and ended her campaign when promoted to third behind La Dorada in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
“Her two-year-old form is far stronger than any other filly I’ve had, and we’ve won three Oaks’ (Jennifer Eccles, Artistic, Keep The Peace),” Ritchie said.
“She looks like she could be a 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) type so I was pleased to see they’ve taken La Dorada over to Melbourne.”
Among the older members of the stable to target feature staying events are the dual Group winners Nereus and Mahrajaan, and another import in Davideo.
“Nereus hit two very heavy tracks (in Queensland) and that didn’t suit at all, so we brought him home for a spell and he’s still out,” Ritchie said.
“He’ll be more of a Christmas and autumn horse, and I’d like to think the summer cups will really suit him.”
Current Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner Mahrajaan has recently returned to the stable.
“He had a very long break, and we feel Melbourne may be a step too far, so we’ll look at getting him ready for a Wellington and Auckland Cups’ campaign,” Ritchie said.
Davideo was unplaced in two runs during his initial campaign and is likely to also target the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m).
“I think he’ll be a much better horse during his second prep, it can take 12 months for them to get used to the change of seasons,” Ritchie said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
