Ripples crosses Tasman again for Nevele R mission

It is all part of a plan.

Star New South Wales harness racing filly Ripples (Bettors Delight) is making her third trip to NZ this week as part of her push to be the Australian and NZ 3YO Filly of the Year.

The Queensland Oaks winner is on a hit-and-run mission to qualify for the rich Nevele R final through a heat at Alexandra Park on Friday night (8.39pm). She has drawn the outside of the front line over 1700 metres in a field that includes the in-form pairing of Ride the Waves and Wat Next.

“It’s part of a big finish to the year,” owner-breeder Mick Harvey said.

“She’s then booked on a flight back home on Sunday to tackle a heat and final of the Victoria Oaks.

“I believe she’s the best filly in Australia and NZ and we’re giving her the chance to prove that.”

Beyond the $150,000 Group 1 Victoria Oaks final at Melton on October 17, Ripples will head back to NZ again for the NZ Oaks and Nevele R final.

The daughter of Bettor’s Delight, who boasts nine wins from 20 starts, hasn’t raced since a powerhouse win against many of Australia’s best fillies in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks on July 18.

“She’s ready,” Harvey declared. “She trialled amazingly well (at Menangle) and showed incredible gate speed to lead in a 25sec quarter.

“I’m sure she’ll run well this week, qualify for the Nevele R and then our focus moves to Victoria.”

Ripples also ran a terrific third in the NSW Oaks on May 2.

Her first NZ trip this year resulted in a win at Cambridge in a Sires’ Stake heat on April 10.

She then flew back to NZ to finish seventh in the Sires’ Stake final at Alexandra Park just six days after that big NSW Oaks run.

Harvey was pleased with his other star Kingman’s return to racing at Menangle last Saturday night.

“He needed the run and finished it off well. It’ll bring him on well and he’ll have another couple of runs before the Victoria Cup,” he said.

Kingman will also return to NZ to defend his NZ Cup crown in November.

It was also confirmed today Harvey had bought a slot in Western Australia’s  $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor for Kingman.

In a big day of Nullarbor news, owner Kevin Seymour also confirmed Leap To Fame would head west for the first time in his 92-start career for the Nullarbor.

Leap To Fame returns to racing in a free-for-all at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Unlike Kingman, he won’t go to the Victoria Cup, instead having three lead-up races at Albion Park before heading to NZ.

 

To see the field for Friday’s Nevele R Fillies Heat click here

By Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing New Zealand