Wellington owner-trainer Ron Cunningham has his sights firmly fixed on the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes with his classy three-year-old Rat Tat.
"It's not going to be easy to get into the field but I think he is up to it," Cunningham said after Rat Tat returned to racing with a
game win in the $10,000 Quinns Post Progressive (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday.
The Slavic gelding had not raced since last November and was big in condition but he came back after being headed in the straight to take the honours by a half neck from Hurricane Strike.
Rat Tat carried the topweight of 56kg, 4.5 kilograms more than Hurricane Strike, who looked the likely winner when she cruised to the lead at the 100m.
But Rat Tat rallied bravely for rider Darryl Bradley.
"He really dug deep and it was a good effort considering he wasn't 100 percent fit," Bradley said.
Rat Tat has now recorded five wins from 13 starts with four wins from six starts at Trentham.
His only defeats at Trentham have been when second to Kainui Belle in the Wellington Guineas and in the Wakefield Stakes when rider Bruce Herd knocked a knee leaving the stalls and the horse took no part.
Cunningham is unsure about immediate plans but Rat Tat is likely to race at the Wellington winter meeting next month where options include the $30,000 Meyer Plate (1400m) on July 10 and the $30,000 Whyte Handicap (1600m) on July 17.
Bradley, who recorded two wins and two seconds on Saturday, has taken his winning tally for the season to 94 as he bids for his second jockeys' premiership.
He still trails Michael Walker (107) and Leith Innes (99) but gives himself a realistic chance of taking the title.
"My original goal for the season was to get to 78 to bring up my 1000 New Zealand wins," Bradley said.
"When I got that, I thought I would aim for 100 wins for the season.
"Then when I heard Michael (Walker) was going to Melbourne, I thought I would have a crack at the premiership. I'll just keep by head down and see what happens.
"It's not over till the last race in July. I would dearly love to win another premiership and I'm really enjoying the competition."
- NZPA
Wellington owner-trainer Ron Cunningham has his sights firmly fixed on the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes with his classy three-year-old Rat Tat.
"It's not going to be easy to get into the field but I think he is up to it," Cunningham said after Rat Tat returned to racing with a
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