Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Third in his first two starts, the colt was spelled and with two trials under his belt, Ripley jumped the race favourite in the United Resources Management Handicap (1200m), having also accepted for the race prior over 1400m.
Under Jason Collett, Ripley jumped away well from the gates, settling in third position behind Onmalone (Menari) and I Am Adonis (I Am Invincible).
As The Torryburn Stud bred and raced Great Heights (I Am Invincible) pushed along the rail, Ripley found himself tracking right behind I Am Adonis and when the home turn was reached and runners rolled out, Collett seized the opportunity to come to his outside to mount a challenge.
With Onmalone skipping clear, Ripley chased him down, and while drifting in slightly under pressure, the son of Too Darn Hot pulled away for an impressive two length maiden victory.
Onmalone stuck on well for second with the well-related with Chicama (Written Tycoon), a half-sister to triple Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock) back in third.
Trainer Ciaron Maher was at Rosehill on Wednesday, speaking post-race about the winning effort of Ripley.
“Yeah, he's always shown us plenty,” said Maher.
“In first prep, I probably expected a little bit more, but it just didn't come to him for him. And you can see in himself he's developed a hell of a lot.
“So it was great to get a winner for Qatar, and there's a host of other local owners in there as well.
“He's a colt as well, by the right stallion, so hopefully he keeps progressing the right way and probably stretches out a bit further now.
“Probably just feel that way a little bit but we will see what Jase thinks. I think he will come on a lot from today. He's still pretty big and burly, but there might be a little cheeky, stakes somewhere.”
Having ridden the colt in all three starts, Jason Collett could clearly see the improvement he’s made.
“He had a barrier, and I got used to it. And he obviously has the blinkers on, so he's sort of a lad like that, but he's a strong lad – he was doing it easy.
“Look, he's obviously stronger, he's more of a package now so that's good.”
An astute purchase by Redbank North from the draft of Segenhoe Stud at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $100,000, the colt was then re-offered just six months later where he was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and David Redvers Bloodstock for $625,000 – giving the team at Redbank North a healthy return on investment!
Bred by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty Ltd, Ripley is the first runner, and winner out of the Street Cry mare Duvessa, herself a daughter of the Group 2-winning, multiple Group 1 placed Redoute’s Choice mare Sister Madly.
From the family of Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter and multiple Group 1 winner Silent Witness (El Moxie), Duvessa hasn’t had much luck in the breeding barn since foaling Ripley, with her foals by King’s Legacy and Stay Inside both not surviving after birth.
Duvessa was not covered last season, so there will be no foal this season.
The sire of 18 winners so far this season, headed by two stakes winners, Too Darn Hot (GB) is standing this season at a fee of $275,000 (inc. GST) at Darley Kelvinside where the Book Full sign has been placed up.
