Trish Dunell
Connections of Gingernuts aren’t expecting any first-up fireworks from their charge on Saturday.
The Gr.1 Caulfield Cup prospect will begin his spring preparation with an outing in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy followed by a return to Hastings for the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate on September 23.
“The 1400 metres will be too short for him on Saturday,” said Jamie Richards, who trains in partnership with Stephen Autridge. “He’ll get back and be running on at the finish, but it’s not his race against the likes of Kawi, Perfect Fit and Volpe Veloce.
“He will go back to run in the mile and then, all going well, he could go to Melbourne but that will be decided after the Windsor Park.”
Gingernuts also holds a nomination for the final leg of the Triple Crown series, but he is unlikely to be in the mix for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic on October 7.
“Three trips down to Hastings might be a bit much, history says it is,” Richards said.
The dual Group One winner of the New Zealand Derby and the Rosehill Guineas has improved with each of his trial outings this month. He pleased when running on late in his most recent appearance at Taupo without his usual raceday blinkers.
“He’s a pretty laid back sort of horse and when Opie (Bosson) gave him a couple of backhanders he finished on strongly and showed he was going the right way,” Richards said.
Gingernuts galloped at Matamata on Tuesday morning and received a favourable report from his race day rider Bosson.
“It was very foggy and he couldn’t be timed, but Opie was happy with him,” Richards said. – NZ Racing Desk.