Trainer Roslyn Day has prepared some smart gallopers in her time … and she may have found her next stable star in promising three-year-old Riche D’amour.
After an impressive debut win at Morphettville last month, the son of Rich Enuff – who was almost sold to Hong Kong – is a strong chance to make it back-to-back wins at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
“He’s certainly shown us plenty so far,” Day said.
“He hasn’t missed a beat, which is unusual for a trainer to be able to say, I’m very happy with him.”
Riche D’amour flaunted his ability in a Balaklava trial win last year, which saw connections receive a significant offer for him from the racing mecca of Hong Kong.
“He trialled really well at Balaklava, that’s when we got the offers. He was sold if he passed the vet – but he didn’t,” she said.
“I think it was just immaturity, nothing major. Now he’s here, he won his first one, let’s hope he can continue on.”
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Despite the disappointment of the sale falling through, connections can now enjoy the ride with a gelding that Day believes is black type standard.
“It’s the game we play – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, money makes the world go around – but it (the sale) didn’t happen so we’ve still got him and it’s exciting to see where he can get to now.”
Day trained talented gelding Rosden, who won the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in 2006 on the way to notching $394,110 in prizemoney for her in 20 starts.
She also trained prolific race winners Steel My Heart and Road Worker (10 wins each), yet she has no doubt that Riche D’amour has the upside to match those before him.
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“He’s certainly got a reasonable amount of ability, he’s just a really big immature horse. Keeping him sound and keeping him together is the game with all these racehorses,” she said.
“He’s a very big horse, he’s still growing into himself.
“I’m happy with where he is (ahead of Saturday), now it’s up to (jockey) Callan (Murray) and the horse to get it right on the day.”
Riche D’amour lines up in a Benchmark 66 over 1100m on Saturday, with Murray’s skills to be tested from barrier 13.
It’s the second time the gelding will have met A Samurai Mind, who ran second in that Balaklava barrier trial before going on to win two races and finish fourth in the Listed Morphettville Guineas.
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Day envisages Riche D’amour pushing up toward the mile in future runs, but is in no hurry to get there.
“He gives you the appearance that he could go to 1400-1600m in his stature, temperament, stride and everything,” she said.
“If you look at his breeding, I certainly won’t be rushing to that direction because his family are all sprinters.”
Riche D’amour is a $4 favourite with TAB on Saturday.