Trainer has high hopes for stayer

Shaune Ritchie is making no secret of the fact that he expects much more from Snow Secret on Saturday.

The Cambridge trainer has forecast a bolder showing from the mare in the Gr.3 Skycity Hamilton Waikato Cup off the back of a last-start seventh at Pukekohe Park.

“She was a shade disappointing in the Counties Cup, but back to Te Rapa where she has a good record I am expecting her to show significant improvement,” Ritchie said.

“Three runs back at Te Rapa she was only just beaten by Chocante, who went on to win the Cup.

“She’s marginally better going left-handed and she likes the sting out of the ground. The mile and a half will also suit her much better.”

Safely through Saturday, Snow Secret is likely to make her next appearance in the Gr.3 Laser Plumbing Te Puke City of Auckland Cup on New Year’s Day.

“After that we’ll make a decision on the Wellington Cup,” Ritchie said.

“She was a pretty brave fourth in the race last year as an immature four-year-old. She’s much stronger and muscled now.”

He also has high hopes for the juvenile Aquamosa, who will debut in the Wentwood Grange Premier.

“She had her first trial at Cambridge and went well and then we took her to Te Teko and she sat behind them and kicked strongly to win.”

Aquamosa was a $1000 Karaka weanling purchase for Kirk Devers’ Melbourne-based syndication company KRD Racing.

“Kirk buys at the lower end to make it more affordable for people and we’ve had a bit of success together,” Ritchie said.

He previously trained Megawatt, a winner and placed in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes, and the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes winner No Pushover for Devers. They are both now with Ritchie’s Warwick Farm-based brother Craig.