Talented five-year-old Riodini (NZ) (Proisir) is on target for the A$1.5 million Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on Saturday week.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained son of Proisir has put his best foot forward in his past two runs, finishing second in the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) to Think It Over, before champion mare Verry Elleegant pulled out all stops to deny him in last Saturday’s Gr.1 George Main Stakes (1600m).
“I thought he was excellent on the weekend,” Bott said.
“His last two runs at weight-for-age have been very good. He is peaking at the right time and he has come through the right form race going into the Epsom.
“He drops down to 51kgs in the Epsom after racing at weight-for-age, which is ideal for him and obviously his couple of runs over the Randwick mile have been excellent. Returning there, he is a great chance.”
Rachel King has gelled well with the former Kiwi, allowing him to dictate a strong pace at his past two outings, taking a number of his rivals out of their comfort zone.
“The blinkers have really switched him on and he has built fitness. We didn’t want to have them on too early in the preparation so that we could build through to the Epsom,” Bott said.
“The plan was always to have him ready for the Epsom.”
Raced by New Zealander Alan Galbraith, Riodini began his career under Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley, for whom he won the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at three.
Transferred across the Tasman to the Waterhouse-Bott yard, Riodini was placed in last year’s Epsom Handicap behind Probabeel.
Riodini suffered a setback in training earlier this year which forced the talented galloper to miss the autumn carnival.
