Snapshot wins at Matamata
Photo- Trish Dunell
Despite a record that boasts five wins from just six starts Matamata trainer Graham Richardson believes that once his impressive galloper Snapshot finally learns what the racing game is all about he can rise to even greater heights.
The five-year-old gelding added to his burgeoning record with a narrow but comfortable victory on his home track on Saturday with Richardson convinced there is more in store once the flashy son of multiple Group One winner Snap matures both mentally as well as physically.
"He still doesn't really know what the game is all about but I think when the penny does finally drop he will go right to the top," he said.
"We've had to take him slowly as he has been very green and still does plenty wrong. We've spaced his races to allow him to cope with the whole caper and he is slowly getting better but still has a way to go yet."
Richardson has also been hampered by the gelding's aversion to wet tracks but is hoping for a dry autumn as he plots a path to further riches.
"Depending on the penalty he gets for his latest win it's likely we will have to look at racing him in the open grade next," he said.
"I believe he will be effective up to a mile so I will take a look at what's coming up once we know how the handicapper treats him. A race like the Easter Handicap might be a target for him but the tracks would have to stay dry for that to become more than just a possibility."
Richardson was also delighted with the performance of three-year-old filly Strada Cavallo who flashed home to run third in Saturday's Gr. 3 Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham.
"She's another who will really improve once she learns to settle in her races," he noted.
"She pulled hard on Saturday and still made good ground late to snatch third. I think she will be even better as she gets up over further but only when her racing manners improve.
"I'm not sure where to head with her next as there a couple of options but we will make that decision once we see how she pulls up from the weekend. She is currently lying second in the Filly of the Year series so it is likely we will follow that path."
Risque currently heads the race for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title on 12 points with Strada Cavallo on 8.5 points shading Capella and Sofia Rosa who both have 8. The next event in the series is the Gr. 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa on 13 February. – NZ Racing Desk
The five-year-old gelding added to his burgeoning record with a narrow but comfortable victory on his home track on Saturday with Richardson convinced there is more in store once the flashy son of multiple Group One winner Snap matures both mentally as well as physically.
"He still doesn't really know what the game is all about but I think when the penny does finally drop he will go right to the top," he said.
"We've had to take him slowly as he has been very green and still does plenty wrong. We've spaced his races to allow him to cope with the whole caper and he is slowly getting better but still has a way to go yet."
Richardson has also been hampered by the gelding's aversion to wet tracks but is hoping for a dry autumn as he plots a path to further riches.
"Depending on the penalty he gets for his latest win it's likely we will have to look at racing him in the open grade next," he said.
"I believe he will be effective up to a mile so I will take a look at what's coming up once we know how the handicapper treats him. A race like the Easter Handicap might be a target for him but the tracks would have to stay dry for that to become more than just a possibility."
Richardson was also delighted with the performance of three-year-old filly Strada Cavallo who flashed home to run third in Saturday's Gr. 3 Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham.
"She's another who will really improve once she learns to settle in her races," he noted.
"She pulled hard on Saturday and still made good ground late to snatch third. I think she will be even better as she gets up over further but only when her racing manners improve.
"I'm not sure where to head with her next as there a couple of options but we will make that decision once we see how she pulls up from the weekend. She is currently lying second in the Filly of the Year series so it is likely we will follow that path."
Risque currently heads the race for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title on 12 points with Strada Cavallo on 8.5 points shading Capella and Sofia Rosa who both have 8. The next event in the series is the Gr. 2 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa on 13 February. – NZ Racing Desk