Gingernuts Stakes Claim for Caulfield Cup

ANZ Bloodstock News reports:

GINGERNUTS TO STAKE CLAIM FOR CAULFIELD CUP BERTH - New Zealand Group One Winner Poised For Victory In Windsor Park Plate

The path to the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) for dual Group One winner Gingernuts (Iffraaj) will become clearer after he runs in today's Windsor Park Plate (Gr 1, 1600m) at Hastings in New Zealand.

The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained four-year-old is also entered for the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) and the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m), but the Caulfield Cup on 21 October is the gelding's main target during the spring.

The New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) and Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) winner comes into the Windsor Park Plate after a closing fifth in the Tarzino Trophy (Gr 1, 1400m) first up at Hastings on 2 September, the second leg of the Hawke's Bay triple crown.

Gingernuts will again duel with last year's Windsor Plate winner Kawi (Savabeel), this year's Tarzino Trophy winner Close Up (Shinko King) and another Group One winner, the Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs-trained Volkstok'n'barrell (Tavistock).

“We were very pleased. To be fair to the horse, if he didn't cop a bit of interference at the top of the straight, he probably finishes a little bit closer,” Richards told ANZ Bloodstock News yesterday.

“Most importantly, he seems to have come through the run very well.” Gingernuts has drawn barrier nine in the field of 14 plus five emergencies today and Richards said the step up to 1600 metres would be ideal.

“He has certainly strengthened up from three to four years old and is holding his condition well,” the trainer said. “The step up to a mile is perfect for him, but he is not fully screwed down yet with big staying races for him at his next two or three starts.”

Richards said Gingernuts could remain in New Zealand and have his final Caulfield Cup lead-up in the Livamol Classic (Gr 1, 2040m) at Hastings on 7 October or head to Australia after today's run to the Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Flemington on the same day.

This week, trainer Chris Waller said champion mare Winx (Street Cry) was likely to have her next start in the Turnbull Stakes.

“We haven't decided (what the exact plans are yet), but we are going to get through Saturday and then we can plan for his next run, which is probably one run and then into the Caulfield Cup,” Richards said.

“That could be the Turnbull or he could stay at Hastings, but we just aren't quite sure yet. “David Ellis, who manages the horse, will make the final call and Stephen and I will get him ready and have him as fit as we possibly can.”

Gingernuts' jockey Opie Bosson was also pleased with the way the four-year-old returned in the Tarzino Plate.

“It was a top run. To pick himself up in the run home like he did was pretty impressive,” Bosson said.

“A little bit better track will help him and the blinkers going on has definitely helped as well.”

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