Local trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray will have multiple runners at Cambridge on Wednesday with Loftys Gift (NZ) (Ghibellines), Samina Bibi (NZ) (Reliable Man) and La Rapide (NZ) (Shamexpress) to all contest the Waipa Earthworks Handicap (1550m).
“Loftys Gift is going well and we were going to run her at Te Rapa last Saturday, but we didn’t want to start her on a heavy track,” Ritchie said.
“Her grand final will be a $40,000 race at Cambridge over 2000m in a fortnight and stepping back to 1550m is not ideal, but it is a better lead-up.
“I think she will be competitive, but not a good thing by any means and I think Samina Bibi will sprint well fresh and she trialled up quite nicely.”
La Rapide was a last-start fifth at Cambridge following her maiden success at Ruakaka.
“She has been racing okay and I can’t bag any of them, but maybe Samina Bibi and Loftys Gift are the better of the three,” Ritchie said.
Debut placegetter Calvaria will make her second appearance in the Cambridge Equine Hospital Maiden (1550m).
“It’s good having part-owners (Richard and Jo Dee) whose son is Mick. He took the one ride on her at the meeting last time and he’s doing the same this time while he’s on holiday,” Ritchie said.
“The filly will be better next prep, but having said that her first-up run was good. She’s drawn wide and will have to be ridden quietly so she can finish off as I don’t think she’s strong enough to do it at both ends.”
