Racing: Keep The Peace saved for mares' event

Vosne Romanee was in peak form when he won the Kelt Capital Stakes last year. Photo / APN

Trainer Shaune Ritchie says he is now glad Keep The Peace is not in the Caulfield Cup.

He did not accept with Saturday's Spring Classic placegetter although the mare was long odds to gain a start.

"After three runs at Hastings she's tired and I've given her a bit of a break."

Keep The Peace will still go to Melbourne, though, and contest the one race, the A$300,000 Matriarch Stakes on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington.

"I've nominated her for the Hong Kong Vase [2400m] at the international meeting in December and we're hoping to get an invite."

Horse of the year Vosne Romanee was yesterday taken to Massey University to undergo the tests he was ordered to have by stewards after Opie Bosson eased him out of the Spring Classic at Hastings.

"He'll be there for a couple of days," said trainer Jeff Lynds.

One of the main areas veterinarians will be concentrating on will be Vosne Romanee's heart.

"I have no idea what happened on Saturday or whether there is anything amiss with him. He's certainly looked okay since Saturday's race.

"A couple of years ago he had to have a root canal on a tooth and they had to put him out to do it, so perhaps that could have caused an issue.

"I really don't know."

Lynds confirmed Michael Coleman as Wall Street's rider for the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 23.

He said the classy galloper had pulled up through his three Hastings runs in great shape after winning the $200,000 Windsor Park Plate and $250,000 Spring Classic.

Matamata trainer Ken Kelso described yesterday's Taupo debut winner Zardetto as having the potential to be "exceptional".

You would want to hope so, wouldn't you?

If you can't get something from the mating of Redoute's Choice with fine racemare Champagne then there's nothing in breeding.

Zardetto lasted best in a tremendous three-horse war with the favourite Ever And Ever and Re Deel down the entire length of the Taupo home straight.

Rider Andrew Calder described Zardetto as: "A nice staying type."

Kelso is in no doubt he has an exciting horse in his stable.

"He could well turn out to be exceptional. I've done next to nothing with him and there is a lot of improvement there."

Zardetto is not nominated for the $1 million 2000 Guineas, but holds a nomination for the group one Levin Classic.

Thirty-five minutes later an even more impressive debut maiden produced a stunning winning performance.

Baltika, a grand-daughter of champion mare Horlicks, stormed down the middle of the track to win easily and leave little doubt she is headed for a high ranking.

The Stravinsky filly from the Zabeel mare Zambuca is trained at Hastings by John Bary and races in the Horlicks colours of Graeme de Gruchy.

Sam Spratt replaced John Bary's stable rider Jonathan Riddell, who had to stand down. Riddell was suffering from a bout of flu and could not make the 55.5kg.

In keeping with the family tradition, Baltika carries the name of a famous beverage - in her case Russia's premium beer.

Bary hasn't ruled out the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 13.