A last-start Group One win by Keep The Peace over Wall Street has given New Zealand trainer Shaune Ritchie confidence the mare is ready to tackle Sydney racing again.
Keep The Peace will line up in Saturday’s Group One Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill which attracted 16 entries including Maluckyday, the early favourite for this year’s Melbourne Cup.
Almost a year ago, Keep The Peace put in the worst run of her career when she finished down the track in the AJC Australian Derby.
“After the Derby she had a lot of mucous in her nose and she obviously had something wrong which surfaced when she raced,” Ritchie said.
“She has only been unplaced twice, the Derby and another time when a horse broke down in front of her.
“I’m expecting her to do a lot better this time and she will have to prove she is up to these horses if we want to continue to Hong Kong.”
The QEII Cup at Sha Tin on May 1 is the race Ritchie is targeting with Keep The Peace who is also scheduled to run in the BMW on April 2.
She was due to arrive in Sydney from Auckland on Monday night and goes into the race off a half-length win over Wall Street in the Haunui Farm Classic (1600m) on February 26 at Otaki.
Wall Street proved himself in Australia in the spring with victory in the Group One Emirates Stakes at Flemington.
“I thought it was a great effort for her to beat him last time,” Ritchie said.
“She has beaten him before but it’s the first time she’s come from behind and run him down.
“She’s being trained for 2000 metres, she’s been well looked after, her races have been spaced and she’s always been in top company.
“I think she’s ready.”
Former champion Australian jockey Mick Dittman is a part-owner of the mare who will have the services of New Zealand’s latest riding sensation James McDonald.
Theseo, winner of the past two Ranvets, is missing this year but his trainer Gai Waterhouse will still be ably represented by Caulfield Cup winner Descarado and Oaks winner Once Were Wild as she aims for her eighth victory in the race.
AAP TURF
