THE RITZ registered the stable’s first Saturday metro winner when he preserved his unbeaten second-up record with a courageous performance at Eagle Farm.

Having made it five wins from five second-up runs with victory in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m), the 5YO gelding will now be sent to the paddock for a freshen-up before targeting a second attempt at the Coffs Harbour Cup at the start of August. 

With Jaden Lloyd in the saddle for the first time since his run in the 2021 Falvelon Quality Handicap, THE RITZ broke smartly from barrier three and sat in midfield for the first half of the race.

The son of Mossman still had plenty to do at the 400m mark, but to his credit Lloyd refused to panic and when a gap presented THE RITZ burst through it before holding off a late charge from the race favourite.

His work at home in the lead-up to Saturday’s contest had suggested he would run a big race, and Michael was delighted to see him return to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since last July.

“He worked really well this week and he was much more like his old self,” he said.

“He had a tough run first-up, he covered plenty of ground and hit the line really well so I thought he was ready to step up to the mile today. I was confident he would be fit enough to run out a strong mile, and I’m glad the plan worked out.

“It was a super performance and credit to Jaden for letting the horse run his own race. I’d really like to have another crack at the Coffs Cup, if he went to another Benchmark 78 he’d probably have to carry too much weight and the alternative would be to step him up to 1800m, but I just have some reservations about that.

“So I think we’ll put him in the paddock for a few weeks, give him a couple of trials then aim at the Coffs Cup second up. The programs aren’t out yet but there will be probably be a suitable race for him on July 15^th at Eagle Farm, which would be three weeks into the Coffs Cup where he’ll look to improve on his runner-up finish last year.

“I’m thrilled to get my first Saturday metro winner with The Ritz, and hopefully he can keep picking up some nice cheques for his owners.” 

The narrow win took THE RITZ’s career earnings through the $300,000 mark, many congratulations to his ownership group: Up The Buff, Mr S G Powell, D C R, JACL Team Racing, Dr T M Schramm, Mr D J Cleary, Mr D Theochari, Cody, Mr D Wilden-Constantin, Mr G L Perrin, Mr R Lindemann, Mr G Dukoski, Mr S Millington, SRC - ND, Mrs M Lindemann and Leave Pass Racing.