Racing: Natuzzi heads for Ellerslie

Wingatui horseman Paul Richards has a North Island feature sprint campaign mapped out for stable star Natuzzi. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Natuzzi has earned a trip north to Auckland after his unlucky run for second in the Stewards Stakes at Riccarton two weeks ago.

Wingatui trainer Paul Richards has decided to campaign the Coats Choice 5-year-old in the upper North Island for two runs - and possibly a third - after his late bid to beat Durham Town at Riccarton came up just short, after he was badly checked halfway down the home straight.

Ironically, it was the form of Durham Town that convinced Richards to have a crack at the two Ellerslie sprints.

Durham Town won the 2011 Concorde Hcp and finished third equal in last year's running of the race before finishing third in the 2013 Railway Stakes.

"That gives you a bit of confidence to travel and have a go at the better races," Richards said.

"Natuzzi looks like he's up to it and he is a good traveller - it's not a problem."

The 1200m Concorde Hcp on December 7 is the first goal for Natuzzi.

"If he went well in that, he would stay on and run in the Railway Stakes on New Year's Day," he said.

Natuzzi will stay with Richard Collett at Pukekohe during his trip away, and his nomination for the Telegraph Hcp at Trentham on January 18 is likely to be taken up.

"We'll see how he comes through the Railway - we'll probably call in there on the way home, all going well."

Richards has ventured to the home of Auckland racing once before in his role as a trainer.

"The only horse I've ever taken up there was a jumper, Last Frisco.

"I took her up there when she was a maiden hurdler and she just got beaten in a $20,000 race [by Waitete Boy].

"The only other one I've campaigned up there is Jamie's Chance who ran third in the Waikato Steeples after he won the Great Western [in 2007]."

Natuzzi is 10th on the order of entry for the Railway Stakes which should assist him in gaining some weight relief.

"We're probably trying to maximise his potential before the handicapper gets him."

Natuzzi will probably be the sole representative for Richards in the North Island, after he changed his plans with Our Santana, who is owned by Natuzzi's owners Bill and Sandra Duell, of Mosgiel.

"I was toying with the idea of taking Our Santana but he's going to Cromwell on Sunday. Natuzzi will probably go on his own."