After an encouraging return from a break, multiple stakes winner Ringerdingding is set for his latest attempt to clinch a Group One win in the C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield.
The Anthony Freedman-trained Ringerdingding did his best work late for fourth in the Group Two Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on January 24, running the fastest closing sectional times in an incident-marred weight-for-age sprint.
He will attempt to turn the tables on the Australia Stakes quinella, Scales Of Justice and Hey Doc, in Saturday’s Orr (1400m) with that pair occupying top two lines of betting while Ringerdingding was a $14 chance on race eve in the field of 12.
“It was a fantastic first-up run from him,” Freedman’s racing manager Brad Taylor said.
“He is effective first-up but he was off the bit a long way from home and just kept coming.
“He steps up to 1400 metres tomorrow which looks to be ideal and he has trained on really well. His work this week has been strong.
“Probably the one negative is barrier one because he does like plenty of clear galloping room, although he did have an inside barrier in the Australia Stakes.
“He is going to need a bit of luck but he’s in good order and hopefully he can run well again.”
Saturday’s race will be Ringerdingding’s sixth attempt at a Group One win with the four-year-old’s best result fourth in last year’s Australian Guineas when trained by Chris Waller.
The Orr will be his third start since joining the Freedman stable and Taylor says he deserves his place and they believe he will run well.
“He is still a colt so he’s still a stallion prospect and if he can get a Group One he’s certainly got a place in a roster somewhere,” he said.
Ringerdingding is well outside the top 10 in voting for the All-Star Mile but an Orr win would enhance his prospects of a wildcard into next month’s $5 million race.
The Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 22 is also in the plans for the horse with the winner earning a free ticket into the All-Star Mile.
“We’d love to get him in there if his form warrants it,” Taylor said.
“And there’s no reason why it doesn’t at this stage of his preparation.”
