Favourite too classy in Bonecrusher Stakes

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Riodini

Race favourite Riodini provided another example of his burgeoning talent when he comfortably accounted for his three-year-old rivals in the Group 3 Mitchell Family Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. Unbeaten in three starts leading into Saturday's contest, the gelding handled the step up to stakes grade with aplomb.

Settled perfectly one out and one back by rider Sam Collett, Riodini bided his time before pouncing on the leaders shortly after rounding the home bend. Collett asked him to extend at the 200m and he dashed away to win by a comfortable two-length margin from , who held out the fast-finishing Familia with close up in fourth.

Trainer had been keen to see his charge settle near the pace from his good barrier and was delighted with how the race panned out. “It was exactly where we wanted to put him,” Tiley said “She was sitting quietly on him and when she asked him the question at the 300m, I was feeling pretty confident.”

Tiley has adopted a patient approach with Riodini, who holds nominations for both the Levin Classic (1600m) at next month and also the Group 1 Vodafone (2400m) in March and is keen to see him step up in distance in the near future “I think we can step him up to the mile and then we are going to have to make some decisions after that,” he said. “I think the way he was dominant at the line, as I don't think there was anything taking ground off him, I'm confident we will get the mile with him.”

Tiley confirmed that the next assignment for his stable star would be the Group 2 Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas (1600m) back at Ellerslie on New Year's Day, a race he won with in 2018. It was also the second win in succession for Tiley in the Bonecrusher Stakes having produced Spirits Aubeer to win the race last year before being sold to interests.

Bred and part-owned by Alan Galbraith QC, Riodini is the first foal of his handy racemare Giardini and hails from the family of Group 2 Hawkes Bay Guineas (1400m) winner Sir Andrew and Group 1 (1400m) winner Des's Dream.

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