Let’s Elope option for Let Her Rip

Trainer Shaune Ritchie has a Melbourne contingency plan if Let Her Rip fails to make the field for New Zealand’s first Group One race of the new season.

The Group Three-winning mare is 21st in the order of entry for the Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on September 2.

“She’s 40-1 for the race and that’s probably fair as it will be a strong field of weight-for- age performers,” Ritchie told NZ Racing Desk.

“She is a Group Three winner and we’re hoping the big wet will continue through to Hastings and she can run in the top three.

“She is borderline to get in so we’re thinking that if she doesn’t, and as she is so effective fresh, that we might look at the Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington.

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“It’s a Group Two at set weights and penalties and a race we won with Zurella (2012).”

Let Her Rip will gallop between races at Ruakaka on Wednesday.

Ritchie is also looking to Bella Gioia to make her presence felt at the Hastings carnival.

Runner-up to La Bella Diosa in the NZ 1000 Guineas, Bella Gioia was unplaced in the Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm on May 27 with the heavy track taking its toll.

“She’s doing great now and she’s still got residual fitness,” Ritchie said.