Despite dramas at the start, the Ribchester (IRE) colt River Ribble gave favourite backers little cause for concern when breaking his maiden over 1200m at Cranbourne on Thursday.
Ridden by Jye McNeil for Anthony and Sam Freedman, River Rabble was in a class of his own in defeating the Toronado (IRE) debutant Papillon Club by three lengths with Godolphin’s Frosted (USA) gelding Exonumia a half-length back in third.
Second at Pakenham when on debut in January, River Rabble spelled following a battling sixth in the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude won by Lofty Strike at Caulfield in February.
There was drama when the gates sprung open prematurely with River Rabble and Exonumia still to be loaded.
McNeil said River Rabble took it all in his stride.
“I was not in the barriers when the gates sprung open,” McNeil said.
“He began well and settled outside of the leader off a moderate tempo, and he went through his gears nicely.
“There was more there if I had asked. He is a nice horse and hopefully I can stick with him.”
Carrying the colours of Australian Bloodstock, River Rabble was a $140,000 purchase for Anthony Freedman Racing/Blue Sky Bloodstock P/L (FBAA)/Will Johnson Bloodstock /Australian Bloodstock from the Edinglassie Thoroughbreds draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the second foal and first winner out of the unraced Denman mare Donna Dingles.
A half-sister to Group III Gosford RC Belle of the Turf Stakes winner Mamwaazel, Donna Dingles Harry Angel (IRE) colt sold to Millenium Thoroughbreds at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January.
Donna Dingles was covered by Flying Artie last spring.
River Ribble is the third first crop winner for Darley Stud’s 4-time Group 1 winner Ribchester (IRE) who now shuttles to Haunui Farm, New Zealand for a fee of $15,000.
