Renowned gelding Riodini, a million-dollar earner in his illustrious career, is set to return to the New Zealand racing scene after nearly four years away.
This weekend, Riodini is poised to grace the track in the Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes at Rotorua.
His journey began under the tutelage of Nigel Tiley in Pukekohe, where he marked his debut as a winter two-year-old with a triumphant performance back in June 2019.
Throughout his time as a three-year-old, Riodini had five more starts on his home turf, clinching three victories, including a notable win in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes over 1400m.
Notable among his achievements was a second-place finish in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) behind Dragon Leap and a third-place finish in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) behind Travelling Light and Harlech.
In early 2020, Riodini made a significant move across the Tasman to join the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Despite the change in scenery, he continued to race in the distinctive colours of his breeder and part-owner, Alan Galbraith. Riodini's Australian campaign was nothing short of impressive, with 22 starts, culminating in a victory in the A$1 million The Gong over 1600m.
Additionally, he secured notable placings in races such as the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m), Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), and Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m).
Now, Riodini has returned to his roots, rejoining Nigel Tiley's stable. He's undergone two trials, including a convincing win in a 1150m heat at Waipa last Friday.
The seven-year-old gelding is poised to make his comeback in the $100,000 Sweynesse Stakes this Sunday, with Sam Spratt in the saddle.
Online bookmakers have tagged him as the third favourite, with odds of +450.
Nigel Tiley expressed his excitement about having Riodini back and noted the gelding's excellent condition. However, he acknowledged that, being a seven-year-old, Riodini might need a race or two to regain full fitness.
Riodini's current rating of 98 limits his race options in the coming weeks, but Tiley has his sights set on the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 9, previously known as the Captain Cook Stakes.
Tiley emphasised that this race is the primary target, and other plans will be determined based on Riodini's ratings and the nature of weight-for-age and set weight and penalty races he's eligible for.