Caulfield Cup contender Gingernuts has come through his first-up run in Saturday's Group I Tarzino Trophy at Hastings in good order.
Last season's New Zealand Derby winner came from last to finish fifth in the 1400m contest after being involved in scrimmaging at the home turn that resulted in Cameron Lammas, rider of the third-placed Underthemoonlight, incurring a 10-day suspension.
Jamie Richards, who trains Gingernuts in partnership with Stephen Autridge, told the NZ Racing Desk the four-year-old son of Iffraaj has come through the race well.
"He pulled up well after Hastings and I rode him myself this morning – he's a very happy horse," Richards said.
"The slow track helped him and brought him into the race. He had trialled well at Taupo and his work since then had been good.
Gingernuts is scheduled to have another race in New Zealand before plans are made for Australia.
"He'll run in the Windsor Park Plate at Hawke's Bay next and then we'll have a round table discussion to confirm our next move." Richards said.
The $NZ200,000 Group I Windsor Park Plate is over 1600m at Hastings on September 23.
Gingernuts is available at $21 with Sportsbet for the 2017 Caulfield Cup behind the $6.50 favourite Hartnell.
Close Up wins the G1 Tarzino Trophy for an emotional trainer Shelly Hale who lost Close Up's famous mother Regelle recently #DaffodilRacedaypic.twitter.com/1EqRTi50lj
— TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) September 2, 2017