NZ MAR 20 - RITCHIE GETS ANOTHER CLASSIC WINNER

By Courtesy of NZTM | Monday, March 22, 2010

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie is having a truly classic season.

Having already lifted New Zealand’s ultimate 3YO contest, the Telecom New Zealand Derby, with Military Move (NZ) just over two weeks ago, the trainer was to the fore again on Saturday with Keep The Peace (NZ) (Keeper) playing her part in the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

Beyond talent shown when winning the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) this season, Keep The Peace gave notice of her classic intent when beating all bar the NZB Filly of the Year , Katie Lee, home in the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m).

Ridden quietly by Opie Bosson on Saturday, Keep The Peace (NZ) settled with only a few behind her in the 2010 Oaks.

Asked for improvement out wide, the Keeper filly was positioned within striking distance by the turn in, and with hand brake released, shot to the front 200m out.

Although looking a clear winner with the two length break established 100m from home, the barnstorming descent being staged by November Rain (NZ) (Stravinsky) and Zarzuela (NZ) (Zabeel) would ensure nothing short of a thrilling finish.

Clinging on for the win, the post would ultimately see her advantage narrowed to a short head from November Rain (NZ) and with a half head again on Zarzuela (NZ).

Held on a Good 3 Trentham track, Keep The Peace (NZ) carved out the Gr.1 win over 2400m in a time of 2.28.49.

All told, Keep The Peace (NZ) now has four wins from eight starts and with NZ$300,950 banked and Gr.1 regard franked, owners Paul Bellingham, Mick & Luke Dittman could well be heading over to Sydney with her to target the $A350,000 AJC Oaks (2400m) on April 17.

“This is a fantastic filly,” her trainer Ritchie would say after to the Sunday Star Times.

“She's probably the best horse I've trained and I say that after just having trained a derby winner."

Bred by D W & Mrs J A Moss, Keep the Peace (NZ) is by Cambridge Stud’s four time Gr.1 producing Danehill sire Keeper and is out of Peace of Mind (NZ) - a Wild Rampage half-sister to the three time HK-1 winner Makarpura Star.

Represented by a 64.37% winners-to-runners tally, Keeper’s four Gr.1 ambassadors have comprised Keep The Peace, Insouciant, Keepa Cruisin and Linky Dink.

A six time winner herself, Peace of Mind (NZ) has had the four winners from five to race.