Trainer Andrew Williamson has stopped short of a rain dance but wouldn’t mind the promised wet weather to arrive for Listed Keith Noud Stakes contender Ready To Rip.
The promising Ready To Rip is in with a light weight in the $200,000 1200m event at Eagle Farm and Williamson thinks rain would give him an added edge .
Williamson says the race is full of eachway chances with his More Than Ready four-year-old amongst them.
“The horse is good, I couldn’t be happier with him,” he said.
“A bit of rain would be nice, I don’t want it heavy just a dead four or five, I suppose most trainers want it that way anyway.”
All of Ready To Rip’s five wins (12 starts) have been on tracks dead or wetter.
And even that record could have been better.
“He has been unlucky in a couple of races, in particular the Gold Coast Guineas (6th to Military Rose beaten 1-1/2 lengths) and the Daybreak Lover (4th to Steps In Time, Eagle Farm, beaten three quarters),” Williamson said.
Both of those efforts were on rain affected tracks.
Ready To Rip has had two run since a 20 week spell.
“My horse definitely strengthened up over the break, Damian Browne rides all his work and he said he is stronger this time in.
“He is a lovely horse who does everything right though he has had niggling problems now and again.”
Ready to Rip won first up at Sunshine Coast before a good second to Seek In Find at Eagle Farm (1000m) when as $2.20 favourite on November 12.
“He was second up over a 1000m which isn’t his go, it was a terrific run,” Williamson said.
“Seek And Find has won three in a row, he outsprinted us, but if we would have got to the outside, it would have made it very interesting.
“On Saturday we are well weighted (53kg) and hopefully he can get a bit of cover from the wide draw (11).
“Listen Son and Faster Son should ensure the speed is on and hopefully he can finish quickly.
“While he is not 100 per cent fit, he is not far off and we will be very happy if he can win.”
Ready To Rip is expected to run 1600m in time but will be be kept to shorter trips at this campaign.
The Group 2 $200,000 George Moore (1200m) at Doomben on December 4 is being targeted but the main aim is the $400,000 Magic Millions Cup (1400m) on January 14.
Toowoomba trainer Tony Gollan wants the weather stay relatively dry for Saturday’s Eagle Farm feature.
Both Listen Son and Spirit of Boom don’t require it wet to show their best.
Gollan is weighing up the possibility of a trip to New Zealand for the feature Group I sprints in January with Spirit Of Boom but will spy on what he does on Saturday confirmation.
“On Saturday, there looks a lot of speed in the race, he’ll get back and I’m sure he’ll be attacking the line late.”
Spirit Of Boom will also progress to the George Moore before a New Zealand decision is made.
“The George Moore is the first leg of our summer triple crown sprint series and then after that we’ll make a decision,” Gollan said.
“We’ve nominated for the Telegraph Handicap (1200m at Trentham on January 21).
“We just missed the nominations for the Railway Stakes (1200m) on New Year’s Day but there’s a late nom on December 3.
“We’ll have a look at that and make a decision on if we go there or wait for the Magic Millions.”
Gollan said if the track is too wet on Saturday he may withdraw Listen Son while the Robert Heathcote trained Work The Room is an early scratching.
Heathcote will still be represented by Excellantes.
