After watching Zurella, The Oaks-bred Zabeel filly who is built like a colt, score in the group three over 1600m at Awapuni, Ritchie believes she was born for even richer success over 2400m - and beyond.
"You'd have to think that with being by Zabeel and the way she attacked the line yesterday to do what she's done up to a mile is very exciting for us," said Ritchie.
"There's no doubt that 2000m and further is going to be her go."
Ritchie said Zurella probably won't run over a mile again this campaign.
She'll now go straight into the Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on January 1 before being freshened again for the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m) on February 11. "From that point I will discuss with Rick Williams [The Oaks general manager] and Dick Karreman [The Oaks owner] whether she takes her place in the Derby or whether we go on an Oaks trail.
"Luckily for The Oaks they have another nice filly with Artistic. She's shaping up nicely for the Oaks so it'd be nice to have the advantage of a runner in both."
Ritchie said the AJC Oaks in Sydney in the autumn is also a serious long-term option for Zurella.
"I know Rick is keen to take her to Australia and I've got unfinished business over there," said Ritchie.
"I'd love to win a big race in Australia. It's one area where Murray Baker and other Cambridge trainers like Trent Busuttin show me up.
"I haven't got one there yet so I'd like to get on terms with them and she might the right sort to do it."
Meanwhile, Ritchie said Zurella just needs to learn a little more ring-craft. She played up again in the birdcage on Saturday and kept the playful mood going by steering rider Lisa Allpress into the running rail on the way to the start.
"She does tend to get herself a little bit hot; that's the area of improvement for her, but I think she'll get better with racing.
"She has a devastating finish and she's very professional in the running so from that perspective we're pretty sweet."
