Matamata trainer Graham Richardson left his local meeting a happy man on Wednesday after witnessing two of his runners quinella a star-studded trial.
Last start Group One winner Tiptronic beat out stablemate, Group One performer Bonny Lass, to win his sedately run 1050m heat, which included Group One winners On The Bubbles, Sword Of State, Kahma Lass, and stakes winner Festivity.
“They were both quiet and they didn’t move on them, but I suggest the whole field was like that,” said Richardson, who trains in partnership with Rogan Norvall.
Tiptronic is in career best form, having placed in the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) before winning the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
The son of O’Reilly will return to Ellerslie next week to compete in the revered Karaka Million meeting where he will contest the Collinson Forex Karaka Cup (2200m).
“He is a very happy horse,” Richardson said.
“He will go into the Karaka Cup and he will probably get 63kg on his back and if he does I will put Erin Leighton (with her 3kg claim) on his back, who rode him today.
“Ashvin (Goindasamy) will be back on in the Herbie Dyke (Group 1, 2000m) and after that, all going well, he will run in the Bonecrusher (Group 1, 2000m) in March at Ellerslie.”
Richardson was also pleased with Bonny Lass’ hit-out before the Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie next week.
“She is a good filly and her trial was good as well,” Richardson said.
“I took the blinkers off so she wouldn’t over-race too much, but she will have them back on in the Almanzor.”
Meanwhile, Richardson will head south to Trentham on Saturday to line-up Red Hussar in the Group 3 Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap (1600m).
“He is going extremely well that horse,” Richardson said.
“He hasn’t had a trip away like that before, so that is the question mark.”