Racing: Scholarship creates openings

Jamie Richards considers that eight months spent overseas at thoroughbred studs on a Sunline International Management scholarship has created opportunities for him at an international level.

Richards (23), a son of Wingatui trainer Paul Richards and Leanne Richards, president of the Otago Racing Club, is back at Wingatui after he went on a scholarship to England, Ireland and the United States.

"It was all about global contact, shuttle stallions and understanding international bloodlines," Richards said.

He has taken a job as a marketing assistant with New Zealand Bloodstock based at Karaka. It was a condition of the scholarship, sponsored by the Sunline Education Trust in conjunction with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association, that he work in the thoroughbred industry for 12 months.

The scholarship aims to identify potential managers within the New Zealand thoroughbred industry and offer them the chance to broaden their knowledge.

Bruce Slade, who was awarded the Sunline scholarship in 2002, is now racing manager for prominent trainer Gai Waterhouse in Sydney.

Richards completed a bachelor of commerce degree in management and accounting at the University of Otago last year.

He spent 10 weeks each at the Cheveley Park Stud at Newmarket, the Coolmore Stud in Ireland and Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky.

"Taylor Made is the leading consigner to the sales and sold about 300 yearlings at the Keeneland sale."

Richards returned via England and attended the Tattersalls sales. He was at Ascot to see Frankel win the Champion Stakes last month and remain unbeaten in 14 starts. Frankel is now retired to stud.

• Gold Leaf has been receiving treatment for a blood disorder since a disappointing run fresh up at Wingatui on September 26, co-trainer Brian Anderton said yesterday.

Gold Leaf has been entered for the Wingatui meeting on Tuesday. The Gallant Guru gelding was an impressive maiden winner first up at the corresponding meeting last year. He has only raced four times.

Stablemate Inferno has been withdrawn from the New Zealand Cup. She was anchored under 59kg at Riccarton last Saturday when the race developed into a sprint home.

"She may race on the middle day of the Cup meeting but her target will now be the Wellington Cup," Anderton said.

The Paul Richards-trained Natuzzi, a winner at Riccarton last Saturday, has his next start in a $30,000 1400m race on the second day of the New Zealand Cup meeting.

• Ted West dominates the Riverton Cup at Ascot Park tomorrow.

Winner of five of his six starts and second in the other, Ted West is expected to improved with his race at Winton on October 14 when he ran the fastest mile of the day, 1.55.6.

That was his first race for four months.

He has won twice from a standing start.

Better To Be Bad, who has had five wins and two second in eight starts this year, is resuming after a five-month break.