Opal Ridge on track for The Hunter at Newcastle
![](https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/R8-Opal-Ridge-4-734x460.jpg)
Things haven’t gone exactly to plan for Luke Pepper’s stable star Opal Ridge this campaign, but the Scone based trainer believes a short freshen up and a substantial drop in weight will help Opal Ridge find her best form.
Sent out a $2.80 favourite in The Kosciuszko first up despite having a well-documented bruised heel prior to the race, Opal Ridge, who raced in concussion plates, ran second to Front Page but could only manage ninth last start in The Invitation.
“She probably raced a bit flat, she had a big lead up into the Kosciuszko and she probably just wasn’t at her best. She wasn’t terrible, facing some of the best mares in Australia,” Pepper said.
“She had a bit of a bruised heel which wasn’t that bad to tell you the truth, obviously being a Kosciuszko it was well publicised, we put concussion plates on her which she still wears today… that wasn’t an issue on the day, she still raced extremely well.”
Pepper believes racing 14 days after her Kosciuszko run contributed to her last start run, as well as racing tight on the inside of horses, but says she appears to be spot on for Saturday’s The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle.
“She never looked her normal self during the run so that’s why she’s on the back of a freshen up now into The Hunter, it looked an ideal target for her. She had a week out on the water walker, and we’ve got her back in and I couldn’t be happier with her, she seems a lot brighter and ready to go,” Pepper said.
Opal Ridge carried 59kg last start, equal to The Invitation winner Espiona under the conditions of the race, but will drop to 53kg at Newcastle with Dylan Gibbons to retain the ride.
“She’s always been better when she’s back and off a good tempo and on a big track and it really should suit her there over the 1300 at Newcastle,” Pepper said.
“I thought it looked a great target for her, it’s basically our home sort of city track, not too far down the road, if she produces her best she’s going to be right in the finish.”
More Racing News
Skybird scores emphatic G1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes win
The Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning was expected to be a showcase for three-year-old colts, but it was the fillies who stole the show in the 1000m sprint at Flemington. Chris Waller’s Switzerland was the clear $2.45 favourite with betting apps, while Growing Empire was also well-supported at $3.80. Despite their strong...
Lady Shenandoah brilliant in G2 Light Fingers Stakes return
Lady Shenandoah made a stunning return to racing, claiming victory in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick in dominant fashion, setting up a potential clash with her undefeated stablemate, Autumn Glow. Although she won by 1-1/4 lengths over Golden Slipper champion Lady Of Camelot, her effortless acceleration suggested there was more...
Fangirl upstages star pair in G2 Apollo Stakes
The Group Two Apollo Stakes was billed as a battle between Cox Plate winner Via Sistina and emerging star Ceolwulf, but it was the experienced Fangirl who stole the show with a dominant performance at Randwick. As the favored pair kept close tabs on each other, Jason Collett seized the opportunity...
Sepals races into G1 Australian Guineas contention
A potential move to Hong Kong fell through for Sepals after failing a vet test, but that setback may turn into an opportunity for Group 1 glory in Australia. Interest in the talented gelding surged after his maiden win at Sale last month, with further offers coming in following his triumph...
2025 Golden Slipper dream alive for connections of Shaggy
Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe was so ecstatic after Shaggy’s dominant win in the Listed Pierro Plate at Randwick that he nearly celebrated in unconventional fashion. “I was that excited, I could have done a nude run,” Kehoe laughed. His excitement was well justified as the two-year-old produced a powerful front-running display, shifting...
Begg’s mare Magic in the Expressway Stakes
The script didn’t go to plan, but Magic Time still kicked off her autumn campaign in style, unleashing a blistering turn of foot to claim the Expressway Stakes at Randwick. The Grahame Begg-trained mare didn’t begin as sharply as expected, settling worse than midfield and finding herself boxed in with nowhere...
Colts share honours in Talindert Stakes at Flemington
The Lindsay Park team and the training partnership of Anthony and Sam Freedman shared the spoils in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington, with both stables now weighing up a tilt at Victoria’s richest two-year-old race at Caulfield next week. The Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is firmly on...
Freedman still learning about European sprinter ahead of Expressway Stakes
Michael Freedman openly acknowledges that he remains uncertain about what to expect from his latest acquisition, Givemethebeatboys, as the former European sprinter prepares for his Australian debut in theExpressway Stakes at Randwick. While imported racehorses have become a common sight in Australian racing, most are typically middle-distance or staying types rather...
Unbeaten Baker filly ready to go Boom in the Light Fingers Stakes
Twelve months after Stefi Magnetica showcased her potential with an impressive fourth-place finish in the Light Fingers Stakes, trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping to unveil another rising star in the same event. Dance To The Boom is set to make her debut at Group level in Saturday’s edition of the fillies’...
Ad Astra out to break maiden status
Trainer Michael Hickmott is hoping for a change of luck this Saturday as his promising filly Ad Astra continues to battle against unfavorable barrier draws. Set to contest the Sportsbet Fast Form Maiden Plate (1000m) on the Morphettville Parks track, Ad Astra has once again landed a wide gate. However, Hickmott...