Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray collected their second Group Three success in a matter of days at Otaki on Thursday, with Tuxedo stamping himself as an early Derby prospect when winning the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m).
The Cambridge training partnership won last Saturday’s Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) with Nereus, and partnering up once again with jockey Joe Doyle, they travelled to the Central Districts with a promising horse having just his second race-day start.
The son of Tivaci won on debut at Te Aroha on October 30 and had strong form behind him, starting a $7.40 fourth-favourite with Island Life on top at $3.40 with horse racing bookmakers. Jumping from a wide draw, Doyle opted to settle back in midfield on the gelding, with Ocean Miss taking the early lead before Dubai’s Potiki found the top at the 1000m.
Island Life found the perfect split turning for home and hit the lead early with Ocean Miss the main danger, before Tuxedo began to power down the inside and found an extra kick late, denying the favourite by a long head.
Doyle was full of praise for Tuxedo following the three-year-old feature.
“He’s a gorgeous horse, big, scopey and a good mover, he has everything going for him,” he said.
“We had to pick and choose runs today, he was brave where he went then he chased down the two running up to the line, so well done to Colm and Shaune.
“He’s far from (the finished product), he’s got a lot to learn but once he pulls it all together, I think we really have a proper horse on our hands. As soon as he learns just to relax a little bit, I can put him to sleep and stay in races.
“We could have some fun.”
Ritchie was thrilled with the result, with the $1.25 million Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day in March presenting as a long-term goal for Tuxedo.
“We’ve always fancied him as a talent, he got it wrong first-up and he was pulling early and got to the front a bit early, but he’s beaten a horse (Withallmyfaith) who has gone out and won two races impressively since, so the form was there,” he said.
“We were keen to ride him cold today and we think he’ll end up a nice stayer, he’s got a lot to learn but jeez, it’s nice winning a Group Three at your second start.
“He needs experience and obviously the money’s at Ellerslie, but it’s nice to come down here. We were keen not to go there (on Saturday) and hit a firm track too early, and it was a nice step-up here with good give in the ground.
“We’ll head to Ellerslie next, we might give him a week to himself and then pick some races over a bit further. He’s a big strong horse, he’s got a lovely action about him, and you’d think he’ll get further than a mile for sure.
“He’s exciting.”
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