Ritchie and Murray excited by depth of spring team
As the new racing season is just days away, trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray are optimistic they have the depth to make an impact across all levels, with proven performers Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) and Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) heading the stable.
With New Zealand's feature racing now concentrated into the January-to-March period, Ritchie said the timing has given many horses the opportunity to enjoy a proper autumn break before building towards the spring.
"With the major racing calendar finishing in March now, they get a good opportunity to have a good break at the later part of autumn," he said.
"Then they come in through the winter and just sneak through and start to speed up so they can be ready for these early spring races.
"Ruakaka has been a great track for us and we will continue to use that this year as well."
Multiple Group Three winner and Group One placed Tajana will return as a four-year-old with the aim to further embellish her black-type record for owners The Oaks Stud.
"Tajana is rising four, so she won't require more than one trial before she's presented," Ritchie said.
"She's already rated 73, so she'll go to a Benchmark 75 race first-up. We see her as a fillies and mares grade horse and we'll aim her towards a race like the Breeders' Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m).
"We will space her races and keep her fresh going into that 1400 to 1600-metre distance."
Tajana will have an exhibition gallop alongside stablemate Tuxedo on Northern Breeders' Stakes Day at Ruakaka before her return to racing.
Tuxedo is ready for another campaign at the highest level after producing a string of competitive performances in elite company last season, highlighted by victory in the $1 million Gr.3 Aotearoa Classic (1600m).
"He'll present at Te Rapa in a few weeks for a barrier trial," Ritchie said. "He's one we will be targeting for the big Group races.
"He was always in a tough spot in the handicaps last season, which sort of forced us into running him at weight-for-age level, but he was competitive. He was still running fifth and sixth, getting a bad rub of the green, with a couple of wide draws.
"His racing through the autumn was excellent, which culminated in a great run in the New Zealand Stakes. We drew wide, went back to last and he ran on well for third against top horses like Legarto and Waitak and he was very close that day.
"He also won the Aotearoa Classic, which was a million-dollar race.
"His best performance has probably been at the mile fresh. Having said that, he is a little bit stronger now, so I'm sure the 2000m won't be an issue for him this season."
While the stable's established performers provide confidence, Ritchie is equally enthusiastic about the emerging talent waiting in the wings.
"I thought we purchased well at the sales two years ago, which will be our rising three-year-olds," he said.
"Of the ones that have raced so far, Russian Prime (Russian Revolution) is one to look out for. He went fantastic first-up.
"We've got a lovely St Mark's Basilica colt out of Savaria, who hasn't been to the races yet, named Top Marks (NZ) (St Mark's Basilica). He's a magnificent type of horse. He looks to be a Derby-style horse.
"We've got some beautiful horses coming through. When you're getting up at 3.30 in the morning, you want to look at something classy in the stable anyway, especially when it's minus three degrees."
