Ritani Causes Upset in Winter Cup

In New Zealand's first black type race of the new season, outsider Ritani ($21) took out the Gr3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park in Christchurch on Saturday. Friends, family and connections of the Kerry and Ian Taplin-trained seven-year-old Makfi mare were besides themselves as rider Kozzi Asano returned to the birdcage after Ritani (Makfi-Elegant Emerald, by Unbridled's Song) had downed the well supported Taranaki raider Justaskme (No Excuse Needed) and Verry Elleegant's full-brother Verry Flash (Zed) to record her ninth and most important career victory. According to racing.co.nz, Asano produced a copybook ride as he settled Ritani in behind the steady speed set up by pacemakers Quiz Kid and So Much Mour before angling for a run closer to the rails in the home straight, as the majority of the field fanned wide. Driven to the front at the 150m, Ritani had enough in reserve to hold out all challengers by just over a length and set off the jubilant celebrations.

Ritani has been a great investment (pic: Race Images South)