Speechmaker (Alysha Collett) following up a debut fifth with a sound win at Te Rapa today with Diamondsandbubbles fighting on strongly on the inside to hold third.
Local apprentice Brendan Hutton gave a valuable insight into the prospects of Speechmaker at Te Rapa today and listeners should have had a healthy return.
Speechmaker is trained by Hutton’s employer, Shaune Ritchie, and upset the favourites in the Smile Inflatables 1600, the final event today, at odds of 34/1.
“Brendan galloped him on Friday and he said it’s the best he’s ever worked,” said Noel Waddell, a spokesman for the Ritchie stable, after Speechless’ strong win.
“Coming back to a mile, we knew we had a fit horse and what a lovely ride.”
Speechmaker was given a beautiful run in the trail by Alysha Collett and, though checked off heels at the 500 metres, he was quickly back into stride and travelling well coming to the home turn.
Angled out around the two leaders after straightening, he challenged at the 200 metres, worked to the front and held his rivals at bay, scoring by three-quarters of a length from the late-finisher, Steven James.
A son of Jimmy Choux, Speechmaker had been placed in three of his first four trials then was taken to the races after winning comfortably over 1400 metres at the Matamata trials on November 28.
He made his raceday debut over 1800 metres at Taupo on December 30 and finished fifth, almost six lengths behind the winner Counting Crows, when ridden by Waddell’s son, Jason.
“His first run was probably a little better than it looked,” said Waddell. “I don’t think Jason would mind me saying this, but it probably wasn’t one of his better rides and he’s just improved since then.”
Speechmaker is the second horse to follow on with a next-up win after the Taupo race. Firefly was runner-up then went on to quit maiden ranks at Matamata last Friday week.
