The United States going for second Ranvet

Ranvet Stakes
Kerrin McEvoy celebrates after winning the 2016 Ranvet Stakes on United States. Picture: Bradley Photos.

Ben Melham has the ride on one of the leading Golden Slipper contenders She Will Reign and is also looking forward to partnering The United States in his defence of the Group One Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill.

Melham is booked for four rides at the feature meeting on Saturday, headlined by second favourite She Will Reign in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper and seven-year-old The United States who is second favourite behind Hartnell in the weight-for-age Ranvet (2000m).

Melham has ridden The United States in his two starts in Melbourne this campaign for a first-up third in the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield before a fifth in the Group One Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday.

“I think he’s actually looking for a little bit of wet ground,” Melham said.

“I reckon he just peaked a bit late the other day and was looking for wet ground also, so I’m looking forward to riding him.”

Rosehill was rated in the heavy range on Thursday.

“I think the back-up will suit him on the wet ground and I expect him to run really well,” Melham said.

The United States beat Hauraki and Criterion in last year’s Ranvet with Kerrin McEvoy aboard before finishing second in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes to Lucia Valentina.

Hartnell is at $1.90 ahead of The United States ($5) in the field of eight.

Dwayne Dunn gets back aboard He’s Our Rokkii in the Ranvet and believes the Toorak Handicap-winning gelding has been looking for 2000m, a distance he hasn’t raced over since winning the Frank Packer Plate in Sydney last autumn on soft ground.

He’s Our Rokkii was fourth in the Ajax Stakes (1500m) last Saturday.

“He should be very competitive in that race,” Dunn said.

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