Ribchester colt lands Group Three at Flemington

Krakarib winning the Gr.3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington on Tuesday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

Krakarib became his sire Ribchester’s second Group winner when he took out the Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington on Tuesday.

From the inside draw, the Simon Zahra-trained juvenile set the tempo under Damien Thornton down the Flemington straight course.

Well-rated by Thornton the youngster raced centre-track and the pair never relinquished their advantage, running out a three-quarter of a length victor over Per Incanto colt Little Brose.

It was just the second start for Krakarib after finishing sixth on debut in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) last month.

“We thought he could win first-up. He just got buried on the fence, over-raced and just did everything wrong,” Zahra said.

“Today I told Damien just to let him roll and get him into a good rhythm, he has got really good, natural speed, so let’s use that.”

Zahra was pleased to get the victory for his group of owners, headed by Alex Vinar’s Donalds Racing, who purchased Krakarib out of the paddock for $30,000 12 months ago.

“He is a pretty well educated. He has been in work a long time – he has been through the system three times,” Zahra said.

“I was pretty confident going into today that he could run a super race again.”

Krakarib will now head for a spell before Zahra reassesses his options in the new year. 

“He will have a break, he has been in work a long time. We will just give him a freshen-up and have a crack,” Zahra said. 

“He is small so there is not a lot of improvement, but he has got good, natural speed and he has paid his way for everyone.”

The victory continued a good week for Ribchester, who also celebrated the win of Plymstock in her 1200m contest at Rosehill last Saturday.

Plymstock won on debut in January at Randwick, becoming Ribchester’s first Australian winner, and has gone on to race on four further occasions, placing in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) in April.  

The sire is also represented by the progressive Godolphin filly Portray, who will contest the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Thursday. 

Four-time Group One winner Ribchester, a two-time European Champion miler and Ascot’s straight mile record-holder, shuttles to Haunui Farm in New Zealand, where his first New Zealand yearlings will be presented at Karaka in January. -NZ Racing Desk