Racing: Factors swing in favour of Ridley

Wild Bill is one of two chances for Wingatui trainer Joanne Hillis at Cromwell tomorrow. Photo by...
Wild Bill is one of two chances for Wingatui trainer Joanne Hillis at Cromwell tomorrow. Photo by Matt Smith.
A new-found aptitude for road trips should help Ridley when he takes his place in the $25,000 Queenstown Cup at Cromwell tomorrow.

A trip to Riccarton for New Zealand Cup week earlier this month provided his Wingatui trainer, Joanne Hillis, with fresh insight on the 6yr-old.

She ended up starting the son of Handsome Ransom twice during the week, simply because of his demeanour after the float trip north from Wingatui.

''He probably wasn't going to back up,'' she said.

''He's not normally a good traveller, but he travelled really well up to Christchurch so that was a good bonus.''

Ridley's run at Riccarton over 2000m on the middle day of the carnival was full of merit, taking the lead in the straight before being gunned down by Willie Duggan in the shadows of the post.

A sharp drop back in distance on the Saturday did not quite pan out, with Our Premonition setting a good pace, making it hard for some of the back runners such as Ridley to make ground.

''The track was a wee bit different, too - they were chopping out a wee bit more and some of those bigger-striding horses don't like those shifty tracks.''

Nevertheless, Ridley did not concede ground over the closing stages in finishing ninth.

Two big factors have swung in Ridley's favour. The presence of Alpine Heights in the field has helped Ridley's weight no end. The rating 92 gelding would have been top weight if it were not for Alpine Heights, who is rated at 102.

Instead, he carries 55.5kg, which is similar to his weight for his last three wins, and he has the massive bonus of the country's premiership leader, Danielle Johnson, jumping aboard.

The pair combined on the middle day of the carnival for Ridley's second placing.

''It's a bit of a bonus that she had ridden him up in Christchurch, really.''

Inside draws also play their part at Cromwell, and Ridley is well served in barrier 5.

''You've probably got to hug the fences a wee bit. It sounds like the inside draws are the place to go.''

Hillis did not experience much luck with the draw with Wild Bill in race 2.

The consistent son of Viking Ruler drew barrier 11, although he may shift in two spots after scratchings.

Wild Bill will be ridden in the rating 65 2030m by Racha Cuneen, who can claim 3kg.

''He's going to have to ride for luck, but I certainly want him in a possie by the time he gets to the winning post down the straight the first time.''

The 5yr-old's last run was for fifth at Riccarton on the final day of the cup carnival in behind Southern Sav.

''It was a top effort, really. I was pleased with him.''

 


The features

Wanaka Cup
(open 1400m, race 6)

Group 3 form out of New Zealand Cup week should stack up pretty well at country cups level, and Valiant should go on from his fourth in the Stewards. He can handle the track and conditions, and will not mind the extra 200m from his last start. Coup Darci Be is right back in form, and gets in well at the weights and with an apprentice claim. Fastfoot has not flattered in his last two starts, but this is his pet distance, and he faces a shorter trip than most to get to Cromwell. The roughie could be South Island debutant Kapsboy, although he might need the sting out of the track.

Queenstown Cup
(open 2030m, race 8)

The draw, class factor and weights all lean towards Ridley, but look out for a couple further down the page. Sureasyouwereborn has not put a foot wrong in her four starts in this campaign, and will jump from barrier 7. Eva Keeneva has been a revelation in the South Island and will not mind if the sun keeps shining, while No Emotion is in career-best form.


 

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