Ready Eddie
Trish Dunell
Irish jockey Tom Ryan jumped at the chance to ride at Riccarton for the first time on Wednesday.
The Melbourne-based rider will be aboard the stablemates Darby Dan and appropriately Irishwise, who are prepared by Stephen Nickalls and it is the Awapuni trainer's partner who will provide the opportunity of a prestige victory.
Ryan snapped up the mount on Laura Knight's Ready Eddie in the Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles.
"I rode him last year at Auckland and I was going to come over to ride him in the Wellington Hurdles, but he didn't get there," Ryan said.
"Stephen rang me and asked me to come back over and I was delighted."
Ryan's day will kick off with Darby Dan in the Trevinos Restaurant & Bar Maiden Hurdles and following a last-start fourth at Te Aroha they will rate a strong each-way chance.
Irishwise, however, would need to improve sharply in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Steeplechase after finishing more than 30 lengths from the winner on the opening day of the carnival.
Waikato Hurdles winner Ready Eddie has had two flat outings since Te Rapa to complete his preparation for the Riccarton feature.
"He's two for two on the course and while he's never won at the trip I don't think that will pose any problem for him at all – I'm hoping for the best," Ryan said.
Ready Eddie won his only flat race at Riccarton three years ago and he returned 12 months ago to claim a 0-1 win hurdle contest.
Ryan, who has a Cheltenham festival winner on his CV, has enjoyed outstanding success since he arrived in Australia five years ago with his major victories including the Australian Hurdle and Steeplechase and the Grand National and Brierley Steeplechases.
He has now made Melbourne his home - "I'm having the time of my life, I love it," he said. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Melbourne-based rider will be aboard the stablemates Darby Dan and appropriately Irishwise, who are prepared by Stephen Nickalls and it is the Awapuni trainer's partner who will provide the opportunity of a prestige victory.
Ryan snapped up the mount on Laura Knight's Ready Eddie in the Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles.
"I rode him last year at Auckland and I was going to come over to ride him in the Wellington Hurdles, but he didn't get there," Ryan said.
"Stephen rang me and asked me to come back over and I was delighted."
Ryan's day will kick off with Darby Dan in the Trevinos Restaurant & Bar Maiden Hurdles and following a last-start fourth at Te Aroha they will rate a strong each-way chance.
Irishwise, however, would need to improve sharply in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Steeplechase after finishing more than 30 lengths from the winner on the opening day of the carnival.
Waikato Hurdles winner Ready Eddie has had two flat outings since Te Rapa to complete his preparation for the Riccarton feature.
"He's two for two on the course and while he's never won at the trip I don't think that will pose any problem for him at all – I'm hoping for the best," Ryan said.
Ready Eddie won his only flat race at Riccarton three years ago and he returned 12 months ago to claim a 0-1 win hurdle contest.
Ryan, who has a Cheltenham festival winner on his CV, has enjoyed outstanding success since he arrived in Australia five years ago with his major victories including the Australian Hurdle and Steeplechase and the Grand National and Brierley Steeplechases.
He has now made Melbourne his home - "I'm having the time of my life, I love it," he said. – NZ Racing Desk.