Ripcord will have to produce a form reversal to win Saturday’s Group 3 Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot, but trainer Luke Fernie gives the four-year-old a great shot of rebounding to take out the $1.5 million feature on the weekend.
Luke Fernie has put Ripcord’s disappointing interstate spring campaign behind him and says the Written By gelding is showing all the right signs to suggest he will relish being back on his home deck after coming up short in Melbourne.
Ripcord produced a more than credible performance at his first Melbourne outing, running fifth to Right To Party in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, but it turned out to be the only bright spot of his campaign.
He failed to match his first-up run when finishing a distant last in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and 9th of 11 in the Group 2 Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington before coming home with his tail between his legs.
Fernie insists the best version of Ripcord is good enough to see him return to his top, a version that had him winning the Perth Stakes (1100m) as a juvenile, the Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old before almost spoiling the party for Damien Oliver in his final ride when second to the rampaging Munhamek in last year’s Gold Rush.
Ripcord looked good in winning a tick over trial against three other horses at Belmont recently, doing it easily and is showing all the signs and attributes of being back to himself, exactly what Fernie wants to see before going into a major encounter.
Fernie says the best version of Ripcord can win the Gold Rush.
“He was only ever going to the races if he was one hundred per cent and he showed in the trial he’s in a good head space,” Fernie said on Tabradio.
“His characteristics behind the scenes is what we needed to see and I’m really happy with him.
“At his best I feel he has the most x factor in the race, but we need to see him do it at the races after seeing a couple of poor performances.
“He’s got that cheeky bit of shit back in him and that’s what we need, I’m pretty happy with that.”
After going interstate with high hopes, Fernie believes a couple of factors worked against Ripcord being able to expose his talent.
“His first run was fantastic, and I was really happy with that,” Fernie said.
“The second one was when he was crook and then his last start at Flemington, I think he just got overawed by the occasion.
“He got to the races and ran his race before he went out onto the track, he was a real handful there that day.
“He’s never been like that before but travelled into the race and had everything go right throughout the run but had done everything before he got out onto the track.
“That’s why he didn’t have that turn of foot to finish off.
“I feel like if he can relax and do everything right this week it should be hopefully reflecting how he went in the trial.”
Fernie also believes Laced Up Heels can play a part in the Gold Rush if she gains a start.
She is one of four emergencies including stable mate Devoted
Ripcord will be ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter in the Gold Rush and is $17 with Tabtouch.
The barrier draw for the Gold Rush will be held at a function at Kings Park from 4:30pm.