 New Zealand trainer Graham Richardson has had a perfect start to his
Australian shuttle stable experiment when his only Victorian based performer It’s
Platonic scored a strong win in today’s $126,000 listed Teac Chester Manifold Stakes
(1420m) at Flemington.Richardson revealed he was
planning on a permanent move to Australia because of the state of racing at present in his
homeland.
"I am looking at moving over to Australia on a more
permanent basis in about five years time," Richardson said after today’s listed
race success.
"Prizemoney for races back home (in New Zealand) is
really not good. The weekend races aren’t so bad but when you have to race during the
week it really isn’t worth that much," he added.
 Currently Richardson has a
twelve box stable at Mornington just outside of Melbourne and It’s Platonic is the
only member of that stable.
"I’ve got a horse in Brisbane about to come down
and also half a dozen back home in New Zealand that are getting ready before coming
over," Richardson said.
It’s Platonic jumped out of the barrier in good style
today and jockey Kerrin McEvoy took up a handy position before eventually taking a rails
run up the home straight for a three quarter length win.
The winner is being aimed toward running in the Group Two
Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley next month, with Richardson saying he wouldn’t look
toward the Group One Australian Cup at Flemington.
He also said that the mare would probably also be eluding
the Group One Coolmore Classic in Sydney as "she would be better staying here in
Melbourne."
For a fleeting moment in the home straight it appeared as
though the Cranbourne Cup winner Bush Padre would return this preparation in the best
possible style.
 But his run peaked at
about the 150 metre mark and he plugged to the line to run a more than capable second,
beaten three parts of a length.
Trainer Lee Freedman was more than pleased with the effort
saying the gelding was on track to represent Australia on the international stage.
"He’ll have another run in the Carlyon Cup before
heading over for the Singapore International Cup in March," Freedman said.
Sir Chester Manifold was an outstanding racing
administrator who served on the VRC Committee for 35 years, from 1937-72, and was Chairman
from 1951-62. He was also Chairman of the TAB from 1961-68, after having been instrumental
in its formation. Sir Chester raced many horses, including the champion steeplechaser
Crisp.
PICS - Quentin
Lang. |
