Shaun Ritchie
Photo: Trish Dunell
Shaune Ritchie believes the Ellerslie experience will stand speed merchant He's An Ace in good stead on Sunday.
The Cambridge trainer has an unbeaten record to defend with the three-year-old, who will shoot for his third straight victory on the track in the Curraghmore 1200.
"It's hard for any horse to win their first start at Ellerslie and he's now had two looks so that's certainly in his favour," Ritchie said.
The form around He's An Ace is excellent with the gelding accounting first-up for His Majesty, who has since chased home the top colt Xtravagant, and the son of Swiss Ace then beat stablemate and stakes performer Way In.
"We've always known he can pull off some slick sectionals, but we didn't race him as a two-year-old or as a spring three-year-old because he had growing pains, he's quite a solid horse," Ritchie said.
"He may get 1400 metres later on and he's been so effective at 1200 metres that we haven't had to step him out further and this looks another ideal race for him.
"I don't know how good he is yet – he only does what he has to.
"I expect him to run very well again and then we'll have a look at the Mr Tiz Trophy."
Westbury Stud will sell a half-brother (Lot 898) by Super Easy to He's An Ace at Karaka next Wednesday.
Ritchie also has high Trentham hopes on Saturday for Snow Secret in the Gr.2 Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup.
"She might be 12 months off full maturity, but I'm confident she'll run two miles and if there's any chinks in the armour of the favourites she'll find them with only 52kg," Ritchie said.
Snow Secret was a strong third over 2400 metres at Te Rapa two runs back and she then finished fifth in the Dunstan Feeds Championship Final at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
"Her last two runs have been very good and she didn't cop the off track at her last start," Ritchie said. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Cambridge trainer has an unbeaten record to defend with the three-year-old, who will shoot for his third straight victory on the track in the Curraghmore 1200.
"It's hard for any horse to win their first start at Ellerslie and he's now had two looks so that's certainly in his favour," Ritchie said.
The form around He's An Ace is excellent with the gelding accounting first-up for His Majesty, who has since chased home the top colt Xtravagant, and the son of Swiss Ace then beat stablemate and stakes performer Way In.
"We've always known he can pull off some slick sectionals, but we didn't race him as a two-year-old or as a spring three-year-old because he had growing pains, he's quite a solid horse," Ritchie said.
"He may get 1400 metres later on and he's been so effective at 1200 metres that we haven't had to step him out further and this looks another ideal race for him.
"I don't know how good he is yet – he only does what he has to.
"I expect him to run very well again and then we'll have a look at the Mr Tiz Trophy."
Westbury Stud will sell a half-brother (Lot 898) by Super Easy to He's An Ace at Karaka next Wednesday.
Ritchie also has high Trentham hopes on Saturday for Snow Secret in the Gr.2 Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup.
"She might be 12 months off full maturity, but I'm confident she'll run two miles and if there's any chinks in the armour of the favourites she'll find them with only 52kg," Ritchie said.
Snow Secret was a strong third over 2400 metres at Te Rapa two runs back and she then finished fifth in the Dunstan Feeds Championship Final at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.
"Her last two runs have been very good and she didn't cop the off track at her last start," Ritchie said. – NZ Racing Desk.