NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Sport / Racing

Racing: Ritchie enjoys his biggest success

AAP
11 Jul, 2010 03:59 PM5 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

BRISBANE - A daring Eddie Wilkinson ride on South Auckland stayer Solid Billing provided young trainer Craig Ritchie with his greatest success after an all-the-way win in the listed Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Solid Billing was allowed to roll along at his own tempo in front and
led by six lengths in the back straight before going on to win the 3200m feature by three lengths to beat a gallant Dave The Dude.

Toowoomba 4-year-old Mr Mayfair was a long neck away third.

Wilkinson started as an apprentice with Ritchie's father, Frank Ritchie of Bonecrusher fame, and has been a journeyman ever since.

"I spent four years as an apprentice with Frank and then I went to Mike Moroney," Wilkinson said.

"After that I came to Queensland and rode for four years with [the late] Bruce McLachlan before I had three years riding freelance in Victoria, mostly for Lee Freedman.

"I rode for five years after that in Singapore and broke my neck but things are going well since I came back to Queensland."

Ritchie, 38, only brought Solid Billing with him across the Tasman for the winter staying races and was ready to pack up and head home after the gelding finished fifth to Ironstein in the Caloundra Cup (2400m) on July 3.

"I was going to take him home after Caloundra but Eddie said he was a two-miler and convinced me to stay," Ritchie said.

"Eddie was apprenticed to Dad but I wasn't around the stable at the time as I think I was working with Bart Cummings or in England then."

Wilkinson enjoyed great success with Frank Ritchie, winning two group ones on Showella in the 1999 South Australian Derby at Morphettville and Lion Red Stakes at Ellerslie the following year.

Wilkinson was always confident Solid Billing could outstay his opposition even though the field looked like gathering him in at the top of the straight. "He's a tough horse who likes to roll along at his own speed," he said on Saturday.

"He ran a good race in the Caloundra Cup after he ran a hard sectional.

"I wasn't going as quick today as at Caloundra and I rated him better and knew he could quicken."

Ritchie planned to return home to New Zealand with Solid Billing yesterday and may prepare him for the Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie next March.

He said he gave Wilkinson a free rein to adopt whatever tactics best suited Solid Billing.

"I told Eddie it was up to him how to ride him," Ritchie said.

"He's not an easy horse to ride and just likes to roll along.

"This has probably been my best win. I won the Summer Cup with him in December but I'm not sure which is more prestigious.

"The Summer Cup was a group three race whereas this is a listed race worth more money. I'd say this is my best win."

Trainer Brian Wakefield was delighted with Dave The Dude's effort in finishing second after being handed the task, along with Mr Mayfair, to take the field up to the runaway leader.

"The winner was too good but it was a good run," Wakefield said.

"He's going to make a nice stayer later on and he'll probably end up in Victoria for some of the longer races in the spring."

On a good day for the Kiwis, Cambridge trainer Roger James picked up the expenses for a Sunshine Coast holiday when Firebolt scored a runaway win in the PMP Limited Handicap (1800m).

Firebolt gave jockey Stathi Katsidis his third winner of the day when strolling home by 4 lengths over Sir Kingsford.

The son of Stravinsky gave James plenty of concern when he bungled the start but Katsidis remained cool under pressure.

"He was a bit excited at the start and jumped in the air and missed the kick by a length and he lost another length by the time he hit the ground," Katsidis said.

"He felt amazing in the run and to carry 59kg he must be a top-class horse.

"He still had two or three lengths up his sleeve at the finish and he'll get a lot further."

Firebolt will return home to James' Cambridge stables to prepare for the summer races in New Zealand.

"I've nominated him for two weight-for-age races leading up to the Spring Classic [in October] back home," James said.

"I did it against my better judgment as he's still going to be a good handicapper.

"I'm not going to get carried away with this win but there's every chance he could still go to Sydney or Melbourne in the spring as well.

"I've never been to Mooloolaba before but I'm going to have a holiday there now and this is a nice way to go out."

- AAP

Discover more

Racing

Racing: Unique styles fondly remembered

14 Jul 03:59 PM
Racing

Racing: Commentator silenced

14 Jul 03:59 PM
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Racing

Racing

'Thrives on wet tracks': Belardo Boy claims 11th career win

08 Jul 04:59 PM
Racing

Purdon sticks with driver despite Inter Dominion stuff-up

07 Jul 05:00 PM
Racing

Mick On Monday: Pike pair could be two new stars of the saddle

06 Jul 06:13 PM

From early mornings to easy living

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Racing

'Thrives on wet tracks': Belardo Boy claims 11th career win

'Thrives on wet tracks': Belardo Boy claims 11th career win

08 Jul 04:59 PM

Trainer Lisa Latta plans to target weight-for-age races in early spring.

Purdon sticks with driver despite Inter Dominion stuff-up

Purdon sticks with driver despite Inter Dominion stuff-up

07 Jul 05:00 PM
Mick On Monday: Pike pair could be two new stars of the saddle

Mick On Monday: Pike pair could be two new stars of the saddle

06 Jul 06:13 PM
Brosnan stable stars with jumping double at waterlogged Te Rapa

Brosnan stable stars with jumping double at waterlogged Te Rapa

05 Jul 05:00 PM
Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP