OPAL Ridge showed she is the real deal with a spectacular Scone success while super sprinter Giga Kick’s second Group 1 win closed out his sensational three-year-old season.
These were the major talking points from last Saturday’s racing where Opal Ridge announced herself as a sprint star.
Trainer Luke Pepper has every reason to aim for the sky with Opal Ridge after her sizzling win in the Luskin Star Stakes.
There is even talk of a possible start in the $15 million The TAB Everest, with Opal Ridge firming dramatically from $151 into $26 for the world’s richest turf race later this year after she “broke the clock” at Scone.
“I was hoping she might get to The Kosciuszko in the spring, I would never have dreamed we could be thought of as a possible The Everest starter,” Pepper said.
“We will take it one race at a time and give her a chance at Group 1 level in the Stradbroke Handicap and Tatt’s Tiara in Brisbane next month then have a think about what we do in the spring.”
Opal Ridge ran an incredible final 600m sectional of 32.45s to win the Luskin Star Stakes, a race that has developed into a significant The Everest guide in recent years.
Clearly Innocent (2017), Osborne Bulls (2018), Trekking (2019) and Lost And Running (2021) all won the Luskin Star Stakes before gaining selection for The Everest. Godolphin duo Osborne Bulls and Trekking ran third in The Everest behind Redzel and Yes Yes Yes respectively.
Yes Yes Yes, which smashed the Randwick 1200m track record winning the 2019 The Everest, was by speed influence Rubick, which is also the sire of Opal Ridge.
Opal Ridge wins the Luskin Star Stakes with a devastating turn of foot for trainer Luke Pepper and jockey Dylan Gibbons Picture: Bradley Photographers
TAB’s Tim Ryan described Opal Ridge’s acceleration in her Scone win as “Group 1 class”.
“Opal Ridge was outstanding back on a dry track, it was by far her best win and her times were ‘off the charts’,” Ryan said. “She was $151 for The Everest before Scone but now she is into $26 (with TAB Fixed Odds).
“We have also trimmed her odds for the Stradbroke Handicap from $51 into $11 and she is the outright favourite at $8 for the Tiara.”
Opal Ridge won’t have to contend with Giga Kick in Brisbane with the three-year-old gelding going for a well-earned spell after his Doomben 10,000 win.
Giga Kick’s dual Group 1 successes complements his win in The Everest last spring and improved the young sprinter’s record to seven wins from just 10 starts for more than $9.5 million which already ranks him just inside the all-time top 10 prizemoney earners.
Remarkably, his career earnings could more than double in spring with Giga Kick now a firming favourite for the world’s two richest sprint races, The Everest and $10 million Golden Eagle, both run in October.
“Giga Kick’s winning margin in the Doomben 10,000 was only narrow but it was a bit arrogant,” Ryan said.
“He has won two Group 1 races since his second to I Wish I Win in the TJ Smith Stakes and it looks like he is getting better.
“We feel Giga Kick deserves to be The Everest favourite at $3.50 and we’ve also made him outright Golden Eagle favourite at $4.50.”
YOU CAN BET ON IT
GIGA Kick commanded more than 60 percent of all investments including some monster bets before winning the Doomben 10,000.
TAB Fixed Odds took one of the biggest bets of the year when a punter had $105,250 at $1.65 on Giga Kick. There were other significant wagers including $10,000 at $1.70.
An absolute gentleman, @c_douglasracing went straight to Giga Kick’s strapper to congratulate her.
The dual Group 1 winning trainer talks through the Doomben 10,000 victory.
Bring on The Everest. pic.twitter.com/R3OTCrabko
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 13, 2023
At Scone, Opal Ridge put herself into The Everest mix with her brilliant win in the Luskin Star Stakes. She was heavily backed from $4.40 into $3.90 favouritism after bets of $5,000 at $4, multiple bets of $1,000 at $4 and $1,500 at $3.90.
FIVE TO FOLLOW
Opal Ridge (race 8) was exceptional putting her rivals to the sword in the Luskin Star Stakes. Her acceleration was breathtaking as reflected by her brilliant closing sectionals.
Quantico (race 5) was luckless in the Ortensia Stakes but the first-up run of Dehorned Unicorn to work home well to finish fourth was also very good. Both sprinters can be placed to advantage next start.
Miracle Of Love (race 1) did a lot wrong on debut but still finished strongly for a close third in the Woodlands Stakes. She is a superbly-bred filly by Dundeel out of Miss Finland blessed with obvious talent.
Finepoint and Seleque (race 9), the Chris Waller-trained stablemates, were held up for runs from the top of the straight and went to the line untested. Both mares are ready to win if they strike dry tracks and the right grade next start.
With Your Blessing (race 10) drew an outside barrier and had to race three-wide without cover before finishing sixth. Despite the arduous run, he stuck to his task well and will be fitter for the run.
TURF TALK
“I’ve never ridden a horse go so fast in that part of the race – it was quite freakish,” said Dylan Gibbons, rider of Opal Ridge.
“She has just had no luck with wide draw, wet tracks, it’s been a bit of a disaster. It’s been very frustrating for the owners but they have been patient and luckily were rewarded today.”
“The way Hip Hip Hurrah is built and with her pedigree I feel she is essentially a real speedy type,” said trainer Michael Freedman said.
“Miracle Of Love was sensational. I was expecting a nice effort as she is very green and does a few things wrong so I couldn’t believe she went that well to be honest,” said trainer Paul Messara.
“All black type wins are fantastic so I am very appreciative to get any of them,” said apprentice Reece Jones, rider of More Prophets.
CRUNCH TIME
Opal Ridge (race 8) produced a stunning 200m sectional of 10.36s from the 400m to the 200m and sprinted her final 600m in a brilliant 32.45s, the best of the meeting. Punter’s Intelligence had the filly reaching a top speed of 70.5 km/h during the race.
Quantico (race 5) was held up for a run for most of the straight but burst through late to claim second and still recorded 32.84s for the final 600m.
Red Card (race 7) unleashed a powerful surge to win the Denise’s Joy Stakes, breaking 33s for the final 600m. The efforts of minor placegetters Written In Coe (33.13s) and Ojai (32.70s) were also full of merit.
Red Card makes a mess of them in the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes! pic.twitter.com/2FsECQac9K
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 13, 2023
Hip Hip Hurrah (race 1) ran the Scone 1100m in a fast 1m 03.58s to win the Woodlands Stakes and break glamour filly In Secret’s race record of 1m 03.75s set last year.
STEWARDS SAY
Quantico (race 5) was slow to begin then unable to improve when racing behind eventual winner Athelric. Quantico was badly held up from the top of the straight until the 75m where he was able to shift around the heels of Athelric into clear running.
Finepoint (race 9) wanted to lay in over the final 400m and became badly held up behind Expat from near the 200m until leaving the 100m. Stewards reported Finepoint laid in noticeably in the straight.
Miracle of Love (race 1) was attempting a run to the outside of Dipsy Doodle in the early part of the straight but apprentice Dylan Gibbons told stewards the filly was reluctant to shift out. Miracle Of Love continued to lay in so Gibbons decided to improve to the inside of Hip Hip Hurrah’s heels and the filly closed off strongly over the final 100m.
Wrathful (race 3) drew wide and had to be eased back in the field to obtain cover. With an indifferent early race tempo, this left Wrathful with too much to do from the home turn but he closed off strongly, particularly over the final 150m.
Seleque (race 9) was unable to obtain clear running over the final 200m and consequently was not able to be tested in the sprint to the finish.
RANDWICK SNAPSHOT WITH RON DUFFICY
RUN OF THE DAY
The sizzling Opal Ridge made a real statement showing an enormous turn of speed winning back on the dry track. She is a very talented filly who could well be a legitimate Group 1 performer.
FORGET THEY RAN
It’s clear cut that Quantico was the unlucky runner of the day. He just had nowhere to go for most of the straight and only missed narrowly. It was a very frustrating watch for his supporters.
THE BLACK BOOK
Unspoken was just a little flat-footed when they sprinted but was still good late and he might be something to bet on when he finds a 2000m race at this level next time. Written In Code looks a good two-year-old filly in the making and Sur La Mer had no lucky in the straight and has more to offer next time.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Sam Clipperton put Red Card in a great spot from the wide draw and relaxed her conserving energy. It was a great ride on a filly that had been a little suspect past a 1000m.
NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD
What’s on in NSW racing this week:
Monday: Murwillumbah, Tamworth
Tuesday: Port Macquarie
Wednesday: Warwick Farm
Thursday: Hawkesbury, Moree
Friday: Coffs Harbour
Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Newcastle
Sunday: Muswellbrook, Nowra