Second in the Group 1 George Main Stakes and third in the Group 1 Epsom Hcp, Riodini has been kept in the best company in seventeen starts without winning for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The 6yo Proisir gelding claimed the $1,000,000 The Gong at Kembla Grange on Saturday, one of the few times he has not chased black-type.
Ridden by Tim Clark, Riodini overcame a torrid run to defeat the game Dundeel mare Hope In Your Heart by a half-length with the same distance back to the Invincible Spirit import Old Flame (GB) in third.
A homebred for Alan and Galbraith, daughter Cecilia and son-in-law Mike Lewis, Riodini won his first four starts in New Zealand, culminating in the Group III Bonecrusher stakes at Ellerslie. He placed in the Group 1 Levin Classic and Group III Auckland Guineas when trained by Nigel Tiley before crossing the Tasman.
With the $580,000 winner’s cheque, Riodini advances his record to five wins, four seconds, and two thirds from 24 starts with earnings of $1,167,928.
“This was a real target race,” Clark said.
“Third-up, a mile, and got in really well at the weights. He covered a bit of ground, but I guess today it hasn’t been the worst thing. He toughed it out at the end.
“Hope In Your Heart is a mare I’ve had a bit to do with, I know how talented she is and how well she is going, and I just felt inside the last 100m he really responded when he felt her coming.
“He’s been out of the winner’s stall a long time, but it was good to see him back in form and getting a win because he’s been very honest.
“The Ingham in a few weeks, these races Gai and Adrian picked out for him suited perfectly for his program, and there’s no reason why he can’t go on and be competitive in that race.”
Riodini is the first foal from the Perfectly Ready mare Giardini, a 3-time winning half-sister to the Group II Hawkes Bay Guineas winner Sir Andrew (Sir Percy).
Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir is enjoying a remarkable season led by the Group 1 winners Dark Destroyer, Legarto and Pier.
