Richardson thrilled with top filly

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson won’t lack spring options for his Group One performer Strada Cavallo.

He has welcomed the well-performed rising four-year-old back to the stable after a good break and a month of pre-training.

“She really has grown and strengthened - I’m very, very happy with her condition,” Richardson said.

“We’d like to get her going through the grades and then be looking at the spring and summer cups and a race like the Te Aroha Breeders’ Stakes would suit her as well – it’s all about getting more black type.”

Strada Cavallo has proved her versatility with a stakes success at 1400 metres and a top-class showing over 2400 metres.

The daughter of Alamosa has only won one race - the Listed John Grigg Stakes – but her quality is reflected by her runner-up finish in the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas, a third in the Gr.1 NZ Oaks and Group Three placings in the Lowland Stakes and the Desert Gold Stakes.

Meanwhile, another rising star in the Richardson camp has also begun her spring build-up after a dream two-year-old season.

Volpe Veloce was untroubled to win her autumn debut and her only other start before a break produced a clear-cut victory in the Listed Castletown Stakes at Wanganui.

“She’s in pre-training and the plan is for her to have a trial at Te Teko and then run first-up in the Gold Trail Stakes,” Richardson said.

“She will then go down to the South Island for the three-year-old circuit, the same as Strada Cavallo did earlier this season.”