Aristocrat Aiming For Richmond Jackpot

COWRA trainer Geoff Curtale is confident that an unconventional lead up to Friday night's Steeline Riverstone Maiden Final (535m) won't hinder Aristocrat's chances in the $10,000 to-the-winner Richmond feature.

Heavily supported when scoring in all-the-way fashion last Friday night in 31.18, Curtale backed Aristocrat up at Bathurst on Monday afternoon where the daughter of Crash did just that soon after box rise, putting paid to her chances.

"She ducked in at Bathurst as soon as the boxes opened which made it look like an ordinary run," Curtale explained.

"She's been airborne around Bathurst in trials and the Soldiers Saddle is coming up so I thought it would be a good hit out for her.

"At first I was disappointed but when I watched the replay she was a good neck in front early before she hit the dog inside her. The main thing is she's come out of the run okay and is right to go Friday night."

Whelped in April 2017, Aristocrat broke her maiden tag at start 13 last week, having kicked off her career racing in Queensland for leading northern NSW trainer John Dart.

"John said she was trialling well for him but just wasn't producing it in races," Curtale said.

"Her owner was selling her for $3,000 when John needed to clear some room so we decided to have a go with her when Jacob Moodie bought her."

Backed from $7.00 into $3.20 last Friday night with the times recorded indicative of some ordinary weather conditions, Aristocrat sprung the boxes to carve out an all-the-way victory.

"When they put up $7 I couldn't get in on quick enough," Curtale said.

"The week before there she was a certainty beaten when a dog took her off the track, before that she trialled 30.80 at Richmond."

On Friday night, Aristocrat will exit box five for the rich final, with Curtale ruing another less than ideal box draw.

"I can't buy a box with her – she hasn't had the red once yet," Curtale said.

"Initially the (five) draw didn't look great – I'm just hoping she can find the front.

"She went the best first section last week and if she leads I'd say she can run 30.70, whether that's good enough we'll just have to see."

Fastest qualifier for the final is the Pauline Moran-trained Lanmor Punk, the daughter of Fernando Bale recording 30.95.

The next best was posted by the Peter Lagogiane-trained Rock Solid, the National Draft graduate winning on debut in a slick 30.99.

The remaining heats were won by Zipping Brady in 31.04 for Rob Tyler and Zipping Donato for Michelle Sultana in 31.45.

"The one and two in the final look perfectly boxed," Curtale added.

"The three, Memories One, is a searing wide runner so the inside two look to get a great run. Apparently Zipping Brady trialled fast so he looks the dog to beat."

After Friday's maiden finale Curtale will target the fast approaching Soldiers Saddle, the two week series, worth $10k to-the-winner, getting underway on December 2.