Melbourne Cup winner Shocking sired his sixth stakes winner when Formidable took out the Listed 3YO Salver at Ellerslie.
Formidable, who cost $39,000 at the 2016 NZB Select Sale at Karaka, may now take a shot at the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.
The gelding raced back in the field but with Leith Innes in the saddle sprinted through a gap and got up to win by a long neck from fellow Select Sale graduate The Boy Wonder (Cape Blanco).
Trained by Shaune Ritchie, who also shares ownership with a group that includes KRD Racing, has now had six starts for two wins, two placings and $44,600 in prize-money.
Ritchie is setting his sights on the $1 million New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March with the possibility of the Karakja Million along the way.
“That’s the sort of performance you like to see when you’re pressing forward towards the big dance in March,” he said. “He’s got his ticket, I guess, with that win today.
“He’s a horse who just keeps improving. He’s got better and better as he’s stepped up over more ground.
“We just might run him in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic. We might have to put blinkers on him to sharpen him up a bit, but it’s a million-dollar race and you have to have a go.”
Bred by Rich Hill Stud’s Thompson family, Formidable is by Shocking out of the Casino Prince mare Princess Biscotte – a half-sister to the G1 winner Barkada (Spectrum).
Formidable joins fellow stakes-winning progeny by Shocking in New Zealand Oaks winner Fanatic, G2 winners Chocante and Shocking Luck and Listed winner Pure Pride.
