| Despite scoring
a comprehensive win in this afternoon's William Newton VC Steeplechase (3300m) at
Flemington, Sir Ritchie will not be heading to famous three day Warrnambool Cup Carnival. The win by the spritely nine-year-old also continued a great week for Geelong
based trainer Michael Zampatti, who had won the hurdle at Flemington on Saturday with
Built Him.
"The last week has been great," Zampatti said.
Ironically the past two wins have been the only city winners this season for the trainer
well known for his jumping stocks.
Many would think after such a comprehensive win at Flemington
today the gelding would naturally head to Warrnambool to contest one of the feature
jumping events.
"I'm going to have a handful of runners at Warrnambool
in most of the jumping races, but this fellow won't be among them," Zampatti added.
Built Him will be one of his runners at the Carnival, he will
run in the Galleywood Hurdle as long as the track remains mostly firm.
Today it was Built Him's stablemate Sir Ritchie, who with
Martin Mills in the saddle, got away from the gates in good style and was always in the
firing line throughout.
The gelding led for most of the race apart from being passed
by the eventual second placegetter Big Bonus.
At the post Sir Ritchie had a four length advantage over Big
Bonus, while Piggery Hill, who ranged up and looked a winning chance at the second last
jump, was third.
The top weight Kingston Campbell was the only horse to come
to grief during the fourteen fence event. When ranging up to the leaders at the second
last he lost his footing and crashed to the ground. Both horse and rider escaped unharmed.
William Newton VC
Flight Lieutenant William Ellis Newton of the 22 Squadron RAAF was awarded
the Victoria Cross for conspicious bravery in bombing enemy positions on the Isthmus of
Samalua on the North coast of New Guinea. His plane was shot down on 16 March 1943, and he
was ceremonially beheaded. |
