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Ritchie Eyes Another Bonecrusher Victory
The Bonecrusher Stakes is a race close to Shaune Ritchie’s heart and he’s likely to have another crack at the Listed event in the spring.
The Cambridge trainer was the proud strapper of his father Frank’s multiple Group One winner of the 1980s and he has subsequently won the race named in the horse’s honour with Artistic and gained placings with Military Move and Magic Cape.
Ritchie has the Bonecrusher in his sights this year with Way In, who will resume in Saturday’s Good Luck Rising Romance For Your Aussie Campaign 3YO at Ruakaka.
“Her second start will be at Ellerslie in either the Bonecrusher or the Soliloquy, the Bonecrusher would obviously be appropriate as she carries his colours, and I like running the three-year-olds over 1400 metres at that time (September) of the year,” he said.
Way In was the stakes placed winner of two races last season for part-owner Peter Mitchell, who raced the mighty Cox Plate winner Bonecrusher.
Wheeler Happy With Jumper
John Wheeler has been playing catch-up with Tobouggie Nights and he’s now made up time and right on target for his grand final.
The New Plymouth trainer produced the gelding to win the Pakuranga Hunt Cup and he has since been pleased with the horse’s progress.
“I had a few little issues with him earlier in the season and was a bit behind the eight ball,” Wheeler said. “He’s improved and should be a top chance in the Northern.”
Wheeler also collected another victory over the big fences with Stormin Norman at Hawera on Thursday. The seven-year-old was making his first steeplechase appearance following a hurdle success at Wanganui earlier this month.
Reeperbahn Stays On In Style
Reeperbahn drew on the ample staying power in his pedigree when he gave a dashing display to open his hurdle account at Hawera on Thursday.
The Dubawi gelding led all the way in the hands of Shaun Fannin and they distanced their opposition to win easing down by 14 lengths.
Reeperbahn, who has two wins on the flat to his credit, is out of a Redoute’s Choice mare who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Sydney Cup winner and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Count Chivas.
The five-year-old is prepared at Wanganui by Kevin Myers for his fellow trainer Ralph Manning.
Prince Mambo Close To Return
Group One performer Prince Mambo will be in action at next Tuesday’s Avondale trials ahead of his return to racing.
The Stephen McKee-trained three-year-old won twice last season, scoring in the Listed Matamata Slipper and finishing second in the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes.
Prince Mambo is being readied to resume in the Listed $50,000 Westbury Stud Northland Breeders' Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka on September 13.
"He'll have to take on Vespa and Vinnie Eagle though, so it will be a pretty slick field," McKee said.