Quiet return expected for Caulfield Cup hope Gingernuts
CONNECTIONS of Gingernuts are not expecting the Caulfield Cup hope to set the world on fire first-up on Saturday at Hawke’s Bay.
Prior to its trip across the Tasman, Gingernuts will begin its spring preparation in the Group One Tarzino Trophy followed by a return to Hastings for the Group One Windsor Park Plate on September 23.
Trainer Jamie Richards believes the horse will struggle to match a number of other runners over an unsuitable distance.
“The 1400m will be too short for him on Saturday,” Richards said.
“He’ll get back and be running on at the finish, but it’s not his race against the likes of Kawi, Perfect Fit and Volpe Veloce.
“He will go back to run in the mile and then, all going well, he could go to Melbourne but that will be decided after the Windsor Park.”
Gingernuts also holds a nomination for the final leg of the Triple Crown series, but the star runner is unlikely to be in the mix for the Group One Livamol Classic on October 7.
Richards believes the toll would be too high on his horse.
“Three trips down to Hastings might be a bit much, history says it is,” he said.
The dual Group One winner of the New Zealand Derby and the Rosehill Guineas has improved with each of its trial outings this month.
The horse pleased when running on late in his most recent appearance at Taupo without his usual raceday blinkers, and Richards believes the run is indicative of a strong upcoming preparation.
“He’s a pretty laid back sort of horse and when Opie (Bosson) gave him a couple of backhanders he finished on strongly and showed he was going the right way,” he said.
Gingernuts galloped at Matamata on Tuesday morning and received a favourable report from his race day rider Bosson.
“It was very foggy and he couldn’t be timed, but Opie was happy with him.”