3 minute read

Abaddon will continue his career in Australia before returning to his Cambridge base later this year.

The Stravinsky gelding trialled here before joining trainer Shaune Ritchie’s team for the Queensland winter carnival where he was a debut winner and then placed twice before he again beat the older horses at the Gold Coast.

The four-year-old remained in Brisbane to spell and Ritchie said he would be staying put for the time being to take advantage of the better ground.

“He’ll have a trial and a race or two for (former Kiwi trainer) Paul Duncan because of the state of the tracks here and then come back at Christmas time.

“I think he’s a Group One horse and the Easter Handicap could be the right type of race for him.”

Abaddon was a $380,000 Karaka purchase and is a half-brother to the Listed Soliloquy Stakes winner Holy Moly.

Meanwhile, two of his travelling companions to Queensland will have light preparations this year.

“Chop Chop and Glorious Lad are back, they had busy three-year-old campaigns and they’ll be seen out around Christmas time – they are both in good order,” Ritchie said.

He has a big team of lightly-tried or unraced horses in work, with the old-stager Military Move the exception to the stable rule.

“We’ve got 20 horses to go to the Cambridge trials and once they hit the post they can be back in their paddock 10 minutes later eating grass,” Ritchie said.

“There’s quite a few of them looking good and I’ve asked the owners to get them named so we can get them nominated and out and about.

“Military Move is going to be difficult to place, but he’s won $2 million so I’m not moaning at the handicapper.

“This will be his last year regardless of how he races – he’s been terrific for us and we’ll be looking after him.”

The Gr.1 New Zealand Derby winner was successful in the Listed Toowoomba Cup during his last Queensland campaign.