Michelle Ritchie presents Oakey’s Choice first up at Goulburn on Friday keen to see what’s under the bonnet in the gelding’s second tilt at the racing caper.
Oakeys Choice ($2.30 TAB) delivered a sharp sprinting display at the tablelands track in the Autumn with a stylish debut win on a Soft 7 rated surface. Similar conditions are expected on Friday with Ritchie upbeat after the gelding’s recent trial.
“Yes really looking forward to his return on Friday, he trialled a couple of weeks ago and it went well. I’m really looking forward to getting him back to the races,” Ms Ritchie said.
Ritchie has given Oakeys Choice six months away from racing since his March breakthrough, something she believes was the right path to tread since the ‘surprise win’ on debut.
“No issues at all. He just needs a lot of time to mature, we were only giving him that last run to educate him a bit before he went for a spell. A bit of a surprise that he won the way he did!”
The son of Headwater fronts-up on Friday in the Best Western Plus Country Boosted B58 Hcp over 1000m with Ritchie believing sprint trips will remain his go for now.
“Yes I don’t think he will get over any ground, he is just a sprinter at this stage.”
His genes agree! Suggesting the three-year-old would always be able to scoot along being out of Ms Wicked Wanda, a ten-time career winner around the five-furlong trip.
Ritchie say there’s been no traditional path to how she found him.
“There’s a bit of a story to that. I actually found him in a horse / pony sale at Echuca in Victoria”.
His trials and one race day run indicate Oakeys Choice handles soft tracks but Ritchie says she is just hoping for a solid effort first up to build upon this time in.
“I am not expecting anything. I am aiming for a nice run and something he can improve on down the track.”
Jess Taylor partnered Oakeys Choice on debut and in his recent trial. She continues the association on Friday as part of a five-ride commitment for the program.
Friday’s race meeting at Goulburn sees the first time running of two country boosted races as part of the regular program, evidence of the recent commitment by Racing NSW to provide more local opportunities for country gallopers.
Goulburn Race Club CEO Robyn Fife is keen to see locals do well in the recently announced program changes.
“Goulburn trainers represent half of the twenty acceptors across the two country boosted races on Friday which is a great result and something we’d like to see more of in those identified races,” Ms Fife said.
Racing at Goulburn on Friday kicks off at 12.55pm with the track currently rated a Soft 6.
PHOTO: Bradley Photos
