New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson looks to have an exciting juvenile on his hands in Ronaldo, and he is hoping the son of Ribchester can score again at Wanganui on Saturday.
Ronaldo has yet to be beaten in four public hit-outs to date, including in his debut over 1200m at his home track last month, and he will be out to continue his wining ways in the Palamountains Nutrition 2YO (1200m) this weekend.
“He is a gorgeous horse,” Patterson said. “He has got a beautiful draw (2) and he will put himself right there. I imagine his ability will take him a fair way.”
A tilt at elite-level is calling Ronaldo after Saturday, with the colt set to head to Trentham in a fortnight to contest the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), and Patterson believes Saturday’s run will have his charge cherry ripe for the two-year-old feature.
“He is getting ready for two weeks in the Sires’ Produce and he hasn’t put a foot wrong since he won first-up,” Patterson said. “I am really excited about seeing him go around again.”
Ronaldo is a $1.75 favourite with TAB Bookmakers for Saturday’s contest and he is currently at $10 on their futures market for the Sires’ Produce.
Patterson will head to Wanganui with just one other runner in Ma Te Wa, and they too are getting ready for a Trentham assignment.
The Time Test gelding has hardly put a foot wrong this preparation, winning two and runner-up in one of his four starts this season, with his only unplaced run coming in the Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) when seventh.
“He didn’t get any luck that day, he got back and on the inside in unfamiliar territory for him and the breaks never came,” Patterson said.
Ma Te Wa bounced back with a last start victory over 1400m and Patterson is looking forward to lining him up in the Shane Stone Builders Open (1340m) on Saturday ahead of the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) a fortnight later.
“It was only a four-horse field (last start) but he beat a reasonable horse home from our stable in Our Jumala,” Patterson said. “He had a quiet few days after that and I looked at the Flying Handicap as an option for him, so I thought this would be a good one to kick him back off in.
“There is a lot of pace in the race. He normally jumps and puts himself there, but I would imagine he might be fourth or fifth in the running with all of that pace. If they go hard it will suit him and hopefully he can get over the top.”
Ma Te Wa currently heads the market for his Wanganui assignment at $1.90, with Old Bill Bone the next fancied runner at $6.50.
Patterson is tipping a bright future for Ma Te Wa and believes the best is yet to come.
“He is just a model of consistency, he is a good galloper,” Patterson said. “He is still 12 months away really, he is still weak, but he is strengthening up all the time. Next season, with a good break you could see a nice horse.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
