Mongolian Khan thriving; Derby contender impresses; Ransomed’s racing days over; Staying Ringmaster’s game

Mongolian Khan thriving

New Zealand Horse of the Year Mongolian Khan is making solid progress toward a possible return to Australia.

Laid low by a serious bout of colic after his Gr.1 Caulfield Cup victory, the four-year-old is continuing on a path toward full fitness for Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.

“He is the same old horse,” Forsman said. “We can't fault him and if you hadn't known he had been through that ordeal in the spring then you wouldn't be any the wiser.

“The ultimate would be to get him back to Sydney for The Championships,” Forsman said. “That is the goal anyway – whether it comes off and what races we use as lead-ups will really depend on a trial and galloping and how he goes in the next few weeks.”

Derby contender impresses

Zambezi Warrior drew attention to his Gr.1 BMW New Zealand Derby claims at Matamata on Friday.

The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained son of Pentire turned in an impressive finish over a mile to win at his third appearance.

“He’s got the pedigree to stay and he’s a big, strong horse with a good nature,” Autridge said. “He’ll be stepping up to 2000 metres and whether the Waikato Guineas is next we’ll see, but that is the sort of race he will be in very shortly.”

Ransomed’s racing days over

Time has been called on the former Group One winner Ransomed.

Trainer and part-owner Gary Vile recently made the call to retire the eight-year-old, whose upset victory in the 2013 Spring Classic at Hastings provided Vile and rider Johnathon Parkes with their first success at the top level.

Ransomed also won the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup and the Listed Marton Cup and earned more than $345,000 in his career.

“He’s had a lot of niggling aches and pains,” Vile said. “He’s been such a good horse to me and he’ll enjoy his retirement in Hastings.”

Staying Ringmaster’s game

A bright future over ground has been predicted for the three-year-old Ringmaster.

At his second start, he broke his maiden over 1200 metres on his home track at Wanganui on Thursday.

“He’s got a lot of ability and he’s going to make a lovely stayer,” said JJ Rayner, who trains the son of Showcasing with her father Evan.

Ringmaster is raced by his breeder Dan Myers, brother of successful trainer Kevin.