Trainer’s faith rewarded with stakes success

Shaune Ritchie’s confidence in Tuxedo (ex Ball Gown) was repaid in spades at Otaki on Thursday afternoon when the three-year-old produced a stirring display to deliver an early black-type strike.

The Cambridge horseman’s glowing opinion of the Waikato Stud-bred son of Tivaci was realised in style when he jumped from a debut maiden victory to claim top honours in the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes over 1600 metres.

“We’ve always fancied him and he did a lot wrong first-up, he pulled and got to the front too early and still beat a horse (Withallmyfaith) who has come out and won two since,” said Ritchie, who trains with Colm Murray.

“He’s still got a lot to learn and to come out and win a Group 3 at his second start is great.”

Ritchie has already signalled the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby in the autumn – 1 March 2025 at Te Rapa – as Tuxedo’s longer-term goal.

“He’s a big strong horse with a lovely action, he’s really exciting,” he said.

Tuxedo drifted in the early running to settle back of midfield and when the field fanned out into the straight, he rounded off powerfully to retain his unbeaten record.

“He’s a gorgeous horse, a big, scopey type and a good mover with everything going for him,” successful rider Joe Doyle said.

“We had to push and choose a run through today (Thursday) and he was brave to chase down the others.”

The aptly named Tuxedo is the first foal of the O’Reilly mare Ball Gown and was sold by the Matamata nursery for $70,000 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

She has an unraced juvenile sister to Tuxedo and produced a filly last year by Super Seth before a return visit.

Ball Gown is out of a half-sister to the G2 Cal Isuzu Stakes winner and G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stake runner-up Sports Illustrated.

It is also the family of the multiple Group 1 winner and successful sire Starcraft and the Gr.3 Dark Jewel Classic winner Fall For Cindy.