Ready for a Kraking spring

Promising Ribchester gelding Krakarib. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

Krakarib put Donald's Racing on the map as an emerging syndicator last spring and Alex Vinar is hoping the young galloper can again fly the flag for his fledgling business this year.

The Stakes-winning son of Ribchester tuned up his return to racing in Saturday's Listed Vain Stakes (1100m) with a sharp Flemington jumpout last Friday, pleasing both trainer Simon Zahra and jockey Mark Zahra.

A clash with Blue Diamond winner Little Brose and Golden Slipper runner-up Cylinder appears a tall order but Vinar is backing his pint-sized three-year-old to run a cheeky race.

"Simon is very pleased with him," Vinar said.

"We've gave him every opportunity to show that he warrants a shot at the Vain Stakes because we didn't want to go there and just be making up the numbers.

"He definitely warrants a spot in the race after Friday's trial.

"We were lucky enough to book Mark Zahra for the Vain and I think he's pretty happy to be on the horse after getting a feel for him in the jumpout."

While Krakarib's spring program is yet to be confirmed, Vinar is hoping the horse can vindicate connections' decision to bypass a speculative shot at the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes in the autumn and instead geld and spell the youngster.

"We think we did the right thing by not pushing on to the Blue Diamond in the autumn," he said.

"We gelded him after the Talindert and then gave him plenty of time to get over it and we think he's come back even better.

"He's still pretty small but that's just him - he makes up for it with a big heart."

Ribchester is due back at Haunui Farm this week and will stand at a fee of $12,000 +GST this season. - Racing.com