Ritchie believes Goldminer will dig deep for win

Shaune Ritchie is hoping lightning can strike twice at the New Year's Day meeting in Hastings today.

This time last year, the stable claimed the open sprint with Goldminer and the speedy mare is again entrusted with launching the career of another stable apprentice in the Russell Roads City of Hastings Cup.

"She's a good apprentice's ride and Ming Cheung won on her last year for us," Ritchie said. "She gets to the front and freewheels and she's not difficult to ride. She puts her head down and tries hard."

Jordan Robinson will be given her opportunity on Thursday and, with a maximum claim to bring Goldminer's weight down to 55kg, they should be a highly competitive combination.

"Jordan's been with us for three or four years and it's the first time she has been on a horse in the market," Ritchie said. Goldminer has won nine races and last time out she was a brave third behind the in-form sprinter Tomorrowland in the Listed Shaw's Wire Ropes Sprint at Te Rapa.

"She's a good off-carnival horse," Ritchie said. "She's well and will take some pegging back."

The stable also has a strong chance at Ellerslie where Atacama will step out in the Rich Hill Mile. The Pentire mare was a last-start second in the Cal Isuzu Stakes on her return from Melbourne where she won the Listed Cup Day Plate at Flemington.

"I quite openly said she might be a bit vulnerable at Te Rapa and she went up to have a look at Sports Illustrated, who had the gall to prick her ears.

"My mare's come on a heap since then and she's fully fit. The barrier draw is a bit of a nuisance, but the James McDonald factor will help to overcome that." NZ Racing Desk