Talented three-year-old Ripcord is the latest galloper to make the successful move from wily Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers to equally astute Victorian horseman Patrick Payne.
The son of Rip Van Winkle landed a 2200m race at racing.com Park (Pakenham) on Sunday under a well-timed Luke Currie ride. Previously raced by the China Horse Club in New Zealand, Ripcord won one of his two starts for Myers when successful at Hawke’s Bay in May. “It was a good effort. I was a little bit worried going into it as he was quite a hard ride on the way to the gates and I thought he might tug and the trip might see him out with so long between runs,” Currie said. “But obviously, Paddy (Payne) is pretty good with them. He had him spot on and when he jumped he settled beautifully and he is going to make a nice stayer.”
Ripcord is one of a number of progressive gallopers by Windsor Park Stud stallion Rip Van Winkle, who looks to be well-represented this spring through talented gallopers Te Akau Shark and Subpoena.