Group One winner Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) will be out to try and add another elite level victory to his record when he contests the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
The Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained gelding recorded his maiden Group One victory in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in February, but he has been disappointing this preparation, failing to place in his five starts, and his conditioners are hoping for a form reversal on Saturday.
“He’s been a bit disappointing, but he’s done that before,” Richardson said. “He doesn’t start coming right until about Christmas time, so hopefully he’s on the mark again.
“He’s very competitive, he tries hard, and he’s a good horse.”
Richardson will also be looking to attain black-type with three-year-old filly Devotioninmotion when she contests the Gr.2 Jamieson Park Eight Carat Classic (1600m) on Saturday.
The daughter of Proisir has placed in three of her five starts and finished fifth in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) last start.
“It’s no one’s fault, she just got too far back last time,” Richardson said. “She ran on quite well, one of the few that did.
“She is pretty smart.”
