Life in Australia got better for Craig Ritchie on Monday with an historic Test victory to New Zealand’s Black Caps and a clean bill of health for Solid Billing.
Ritchie moved across the Tasman a few months ago with Solid Billing the best performed of his team at Warwick Farm.
He was forced to scratch the stayer from Saturday’s Christmas Cup when he showed signs of tying up 24 hours earlier.
But his mission for a second Summer Cup is back on track and the seven-year-old will take his place in the Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
“He has had a problem tying up before but he’s fine now,” Ritchie said.
“He didn’t miss any work and he will have a good gallop tomorrow morning.
“Running over 1600 metres isn’t ideal but he needs the race because I still want to take him to the Summer Cup over 2400 metres on Boxing Day.
“And it’s great New Zealand won the cricket. I’ve been copping heaps from the guys at the track over the past couple of weeks.”
Although the distance is likely to be too short, Ritchie believes the 2009 Summer Cup winner can be effective if the track remains wet.
“He needs the cut out of the ground and he has run well over 1600 metres in New Zealand in the past,” he said.
The rain over the past two days concerns fellow Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli with New Day Rising.
After the gelding won over 1400 metres at Rosehill on Saturday, Portelli was confident about his Villiers hopes.
Two days later it was a different story.
“It will take a miracle and three 40 degree days for Warwick Farm not to have a wet track,” he said.
“It just doesn’t help our horse and I’m glad he won on Saturday because it might not be happening this week.
“He just doesn’t like wet tracks at all.”
Altered Boy is one who does like it wet as he attempts to win his first race for 12 months.
To be ridden by Danny Nikolic, Altered Boy will be one of two runners for premier trainer Chris Waller with Alexander Of Hales a Peter Robl mount.
“It is more of a conditioning run for Alexander Of Hales who is headed to the Tatt’s Cup over 2100 metres on the second of January,” Waller said.
“But I’m very pleased with Altered Boy.”
The Villiers, which has a maximum field of 16 plus four emergencies, attracted 20 entries with King Lionheart and Monton equal topweights on 58kg.
AAP TURF
