Shaune Ritchie: “Daytona Red is a stayer of promise”
The lightly-tried four-year-old was a maiden winner over 2200m two runs back at Ellerslie and he returned there on New Year’s Day to bag the thick end of the $50,000 stake in the Stella Artois 2100m.
“They have been two very good efforts, he came from last at the 500m the first time and he’s finished off very strongly again,” trainer Shaune Ritchie said.
“He’s going to keep getting better as a stayer, he looks like he’ll get two miles as well.”
A son of Sebring, Daytona Red is part-owned by Peter Mitchell, whose familiar silks have been carried to multiple Group 1 success across Australasia.
“It’s lovely to see Bonecrusher’s colours back winning at Ellerslie again,” Ritchie said.
They were sported on New Year’s Day by Alysha Collett, who also has a good opinion of Daytona Red.
“He’s a beautiful staying horse who relaxes and he travelled well all the way,” she said. “He was a bit raw up the straight so he can only keep improving.”
Meanwhile, the aptly-named Project provided Tony Cole with success in three roles when he triumphed in the Mainstream Plumbing & Gasfitting 1400m, also a special conditions event with a $50,000 purse.
The Te Kauwhata-based horseman bred, co-owns and trains the Lucky Unicorn four-year-old.
“I’ve only got three in work and he’s my little project,” Cole said. “He’s tough like his mother (three-time winner Penumbra), she was extremely tough.”
Project had been successful at his previous start at Ruakaka under rider Chris Dell and Cole remained loyal to his jockey at Ellerslie.
“He’s a really nice horse and I want to thank Tony for keeping me on,” Dell said