G3 TAB Mile Next for El Roca's Richard Stomper

Media Release - Monday November 11

Timaru gelding Richard Stomper will head north to Riccarton on Wednesday where he will get a deserved crack at stakes level for the first time in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m).

Richard Stomper will line-up in Wednesday's Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton Park.   Photo: Race Images South

The five-year-old son of El Roca has been in impeccable form over spring for trainer Stephanie Faulkner, finishing runner-up first-up over 1200m on his home track last month before winning his next two outings at Ashburton over a mile.

Faulkner has been pleased with the way he has progressed and is looking forward to testing him in Group company this week.

“It is a very good race and the strongest field he has come up against, but he just seems to step up each time,” Faulkner said.

“He has improved out of his last run, he seems in a really good frame of mind, I am really happy with him.”

Advertisement

Faulkner said Richard Stomper is far from the finished product and believes he has plenty of improvement to come.

“We haven’t seen the best of him yet. This race might be a year too early, but while he is in form we thought we would give it a go,” she said.

Richard Stomper will be partnered once again by Brandon May, with Faulkner opting to stick with a familiar rider for the quirky horse, who is set to jump from barrier 12 on Wednesday.

“He can be a bit awkward, and Brandon knows him,” Faulkner said. “He was jumping patches on the track in the last race he won.

“As far as the draw goes, he has got good tactical speed for a big horse and he has usually got another good kick in the last 200m. I just hope a couple go and he can just sit in behind them and get a nice run.”

Faulkner will also line-up Green Luck in the Avon City Ford Premier (2000m).

The evergreen 10-year-old finished fifth over a mile at Ashburton last start upon his return from an unsuccessful bid at the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa, and Faulkner said he will appreciate the step up in distance this week.

“He had that run at Ashburton and was a bit one-paced over the mile,” she said. “The 2000m definitely suits him better and we have got Kylie Williams on top who won the Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr.3, 2000m) on him. We are happy to have her on. If he is anywhere near his best form, he will give them a good shake.”

Faulkner’s Riccarton representation will be rounded out by Raghallaigh in the Haase Marshall Drainage Premier (2000m), and she believes he is a better chance than his $14 winning quote with TAB bookmakers.

“He has always shown us a lot,” she said. “He can do a few things wrong in his races, he has got no early speed, but if you punch him up he gets a bit fired up. I am just hoping that he will pop out and just do things right.

“He is a runner’s chance. He can reel off a few good sectionals. A good run wouldn’t surprise me.”

Riccarton was rated a Soft5 on Monday morning, and with fine weather forecast leading into Wednesday, Faulkner said all of her runners will have conditions to suit.

“The three of them will love a good, firm track, and it looks like we are going to get that,” she said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Blue Diamond Market Movers Trying To Defy History
A day out from acceptances, the Monday market moves in the Blue Diamond have come for two horses trying to defy recent history on several fronts, while the favourite has paid up.
Sires With Winners - Sunday February 16
Here is the full list of 63 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Fierce Impact 2YO Aiming For Stakes Racing After Riccarton
Former champion jockey David Walsh scored his first training success in more than two decades when Leah Hemi saluted aboard Zelia at Riccarton last month, and the local horseman is hoping the same combination can put in a repeat performance at the Christchurch track on Wednesday.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Three States
Some interesting two-year-old trials around Australia on Monday with a couple of first season sires showing up, a high priced Horses In Training graduate and a pointer to one selling at Magic Millions Perth this week.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Rosehill
There were six juvenile heats at the Rosehill barrier trials on Tuesday with a first look at two impressive youngsters by I Am Invincible a highlight along with another Farnan youngster confirming his talent.
Yulong Acquire Australian Guineas Favourite
Yulong have announced they have acquired ruling Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital.
Latest Golden Slipper Order Of Entry
The latest Golden Slipper order of entry has been released by Racing NSW with Farnan's Inglis Golden Gift winner North England sitting at the top, while one of the highest earning youngsters in the country has nothing to show for it.
Group One Winning Savabeel Mare Retired
It was an emotional day at Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stables on Sunday when co-trainer Sam Bergerson farewelled Skew Wiff for the final time following her retirement from racing.
Cambridge Stud Sires Fire Up
Cambridge Stud was in the thick of the action at Matamata with a hat-trick of winners and also made an impression further afield.
Group One Blue Diamond Barrier Draw
The Blue Diamond Stakes barrier draw is done for the first two-year-old Group One of the season and connections of the favourites will be on good terms.