I visited Shaune Ritchie’s stable this afternoon and inspected three horses which are raced by three different Challenge Syndicates.
CHIQUITITA (2YO filly by Swiss Ace ex Floramour, by More Than Ready)
Is raced by the Challenge No.7 Syndicate and is a half-sister to last season’s Gr.3-winning juvenile Manolo Blahniq. This filly is progressing well and will go to the Cambridge Jump Outs next Thursday. From there she is set to trial at Cambridge 11 October.
Manolo Blahniq's Swiss Ace half-sister Chiquitita
VITESSE (4YO mare by Makfi ex Keepa Cheval, by Keeper)
Is raced by the Challenge No.4 Syndicate and was a winner at 1600m last season at three years. Vitesse was always a bit delicate at three and I’m interested to see her this season with the benefit of maturity and experience. Vitesse is set to trial over 950m at the Cambridge Trials, 11 October.
Vitesse - her dam is a half-sister to the Champion galloper Mufhasa
BELLE AMORE (3YO filly by Per Incato ex Platinum Belle, by Generous)
Is raced by the Challenge No.6 Syndicate and had an educational trial last season at two. She is by Per Incanto, the sire of Saracino who has won black type races in both NZ and Australia already this season. Belle Amore is a strong filly and her trainer tells me she has a nice long stride. She is likely to trial in the next month or so.
Belle Amore, by Per Incanto - who is currently second on the NZ Stallion Premiership