Racing: Trainer awaits Otaki effort

Chop Chop adds a touch of class to the Lion Brown Handicap at Otaki today. Photo / Trish Dunell

Ritchie hopeful Chop Chop is ready for a good summer but will know more after today.

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie is looking for the signal from promising mare Chop Chop that she is ready for a rewarding summer when she resumes after a lengthy spell at Otaki today.

Unsighted since a disappointing Brisbane winter campaign, the daughter of Guillotine has been patiently handled by Ritchie as he has bided his time before starting her 4-year-old season.

"She showed enough as a 3-year-old to think that she has the ability to race at the top level but we have taken her along quietly given she did plenty last year," he said.

"In hindsight it was probably a mistake in taking her to Brisbane as she trained off badly after running an encouraging fifth at her first run and that showed when she ran last at her next start.

"We brought her home and gave her a decent spell in the paddock where she thrived and has come back in top shape for this campaign."

Despite showing promise as a stayer with fourth-placed finishes in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m) and the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) against her age group, Ritchie will restrict the mare to shorter distances in the immediate future. "She was competitive over a middle distance against her own age but we won't be looking to go further than a mile at this stage.

"She has a terrific turn of foot which is what you need as they get higher up the grades, so I think she will be best suited being kept to a mile for this preparation."

Ritchie is confident the mare will put in a good performance at Otaki although she will derive considerable benefit from the run.

"I expect her to go a cheeky race as she does perform well fresh but, realistically, this is a stepping stone to her future plans for the late summer and autumn," he said.

"Provided she comes through the race with no issues we will look to take her through the grades over the next couple of months.

"There are some nice options coming up at the Trentham carnival and we will then reassess where we are after that."

Ritchie also said the stable was closely monitoring the recovery of Atacama after her unplaced run in the Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on New Year's Day. "She looks as though she may have bruised a heel during the race as she certainly didn't round it off like we know she can.

"We're keeping a close eye on her with some work on the water walker scheduled before I sit down with her owner, Sir Peter Vela, to discuss where we go with her next."

In for her chop

• Chop Chop has some important assignments coming up.

• Trainer is hopeful of a good run at Otaki today.

• Stable star Atacama is being closely monitored.

-NZ Racing Desk