Star New Zealand three-year-old Springbank Richard who will be making his Australian debut at Cranbourne this weekend. Photo courtesy of Race Images.>>> More, sport.
THERE will be no excuses if highly rated Kiwi raider Springbank Richard is beaten in the opening heat of the Victoria Trotters’ Derby at Cranbourne on Saturday night, according to trainer Phil Williamson.
The astute New Zealand horseman said his charge was as fit and well as he’s ever been leading into the Sundon stud gelding’s much-anticipated Australian debut.
“He’s settled in beautifully and I’ll be very disappointed if he doesn’t perform well,” Williamson said.
“I expect he will at least run up to his New Zealand form.
“What I don’t know is how that form will stack up against the locals because I suspect the Australian three-year-olds may have the edge this season.”
Springbank Richard crosses the Tasman boasting four wins from six outings, including a 1:59.9 last start victory in the $50,000 Harness Jewels Final at Ashburton.
Williamson originally planned to run the horse in last Friday night’s Holmfield at Moonee Valley, but bypassed the Group 3 race to allow him extra time to recover from a less-than-ideal trip.
“The flight to Australia was no problem, but he travelled extremely poorly between the two New Zealand islands,” he said.
“It’s a 48-hour exercise including a boat trip and he lightened off quite considerably and really missed his mates at home.
“If I’d had an extra day in Victoria to prepare I probably would have run him in The Holmfield, but he’s a fragile horse and I knew I could jeopardise his derby hopes if he wasn’t quite right.”
Springbank Richard has subsequently blossomed at his holiday home at trainer Ross Payne’s Modewarre stables near Geelong, and Williamson is looking forward to this weekend’s assignment.
“I’d say he rates among the top three three-year-old trotters in New Zealand but he’s only been very lightly raced,” Williamson said.
“He was rushed a little to make The Jewels which was his main target at home and I’ve brought him to Australia primarily for the experience.
“He needs hardening and this campaign should stand him in good stead if he turns out to be good enough to travel in the future.”
Williamson described Springbank Richard as an all-round racehorse who possessed both speed and stamina.
He was quick to point out, however, that he was not in the same class as stable mate One Over Kenny, who finished a head second behind Acacia Ridge in the 2005 Victoria Trotters’ Derby.
“He earned enough prize money to pay for his trip to Australia in The Jewels and I’m crossing my fingers that he’s up to the class,” Williamson said.
“I’m certainly not taking anything for granted, he needs to prove himself over here.”
Ironically, one of Springbank Richard’s key rivals on Saturday night will be La Mosca, who is trained at Portarlington by Gary Bailey and driven by Payne.
The classy youngster won the South Australian Trotters’ Derby two starts back before finishing fourth in The Holmfield at his latest appearance behind Crescent Glory.
“His two Adelaide runs were spot on, then he was very unlucky at Moonee Valley,” Payne said.
“I think Springbank Richard is the best of his age in New Zealand, but all things being equal he’ll need to be real good to beat my horse.
“I’m not worried about him. In fact, I’m looking forward to taking him on.”
Heat one of the time-honoured Victoria Trotters’ Derby at 7.30pm will be the highlight of Cranbourne Harness Racing Club’s nine-race Christmas In July meeting.
Additional heats are programmed at Bendigo on 12 July and Ballarat on 14 July, leading into the $75,000 Group One Harness Racing International Victoria Trotters’ Derby at Maryborough on 22 July.
Saturday night’s program kicks off at 7.02pm with the NHP Electrical 2YO Pace featuring a big representation of local horses.
Heat three of the Eastern Zone Grand Slam Series for three-year-olds at 8.30pm has attracted a good-quality 11-horse field, but smart youngster Dolcezza from the dominant Peter Manning stable at Great Western is the stand-out performer.
A six-time winner who boasts multiple feature race placings, the daughter of Our Sir Vancelot looks ideally graded despite drawing awkwardly in barrier six.
Hardest to beat will be Depend On Davey with Australia’s premier reinsman Daryl Douglas in the sulky, and Jazzam from the Gary Quinlan stable at Drouin.
Pearcedale trainer Bill Walker will be represented by three runners on Saturday night, and each member of the trio has winning claims.
Ultra-consistent pacer Doolan Jack has been placed at all three runs this preparation and is close to breaking back into the winner’s circle. The 106-start veteran rarely runs a bad race and is capable of overcoming a barrier 10 draw with regular partner Simone Walker in the sulky.
He takes on an even line-up in the NHP Eldon Pace at 10pm, including fellow local Heez Running Holme, who has performed creditably at his past two starts in M1 grade at Moonee Valley and will appreciate a return to country class.
Heez Running Holme is trained at Carrum Downs by Anthony Crossland and part-owned by former AFL star and high-profile media identity Billy Brownless.
Walker also lines up promising three-year-old Charleys Dream, who takes on older C0 rivals in the NHP Cubic Pace at 10.30pm, and honest Kiwi import Cougars Blue Jeans in the lucky last Terasaki Breakers Pace at 11pm.
Christmas In July is one of Cranbourne Harness Racing Club’s most popular annual promotions.
Off the track, there will be an abundance of festive cheer for all ages, culminating with a disco for on-course patrons commencing after the last race and running until 1am.
