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Richards to flex more juvenile muscle; The Irishman joins Newnham barn

Richards to flex more juvenile muscle

Leading trainer Jamie Richards has been the dominant force with his juveniles this season and has another pair of smart youngsters stepping out in the Stable Books 1100 at Matamata on Wednesday.

Snitzel colt Sword Of State  resumes after finishing third to stablemate Imperatriz in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) on New Year's Day with Opie Bosson to ride, while Danielle Johnson will partner Craving, who finished fourth on debut at New Plymouth in late December.

"Sword Of State came through the Eclipse Stakes in good shape. We gave him a freshen-up and he's had an exhibition gallop since. He's done some nice work and goes into the race in good shape," Richards said.

"Craving has gone the right way after her fourth on debut at New Plymouth, and we've given her a bit of time since to continue strengthening."

Both Sword Of State and Craving are on trial for assignments at Matamata in a few weeks, with the former to target the Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) on February 27 and the latter being aimed at the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m) on the same day.

Meanwhile, Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner On The Bubbles will have an exhibition gallop at Te Aroha next week before a tilt at the Waikato Stud Slipper and Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).

"On the Bubbles had a week in the paddock after winning the Karaka Million and returned to the stables in good shape," Richards said.

The Irishman joins Newnham barn

Promising three-year-old The Irishman has been sold to Hong Kong interests and has been transferred to the care of Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham.

The Irishman had three starts in New Zealand for former trainer Tony Pike, for whom he won on debut at Avondale in September and finished runner-up in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day in his last start in his homeland.

The son of Tavistock has only just arrived in Sydney, but Newnham said he is pleased with what he has seen so far.

"He got here last night," Newnham said. "He's a promising horse. He probably hasn't been out to his optimum distance yet, but he looks a nice horse and he has arrived in good shape.

"He was ready to run in the Karaka Million, so he is fairly well up to the mark and I will probably trial him here in a couple of weeks' time."

While he will spend the immediate future in Australia, Newnham said he will likely head to Hong Kong at some point.

"He has been bought by a new Hong Kong client. I am not sure whether he is here for a long time, but I would say his future is probably in Hong Kong," Newnham said.

"We will race him here through the carnival and see what he can do.

"We had our major nominations this morning, so I have pretty much put him in everything and we will work it out as we go."