WA trainer Luke Fernie to aim smart sprinter Ripcord at Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington

Perth trainer Luke Fernie is happy to test exciting galloper Ripcord against eastern opposition in a campaign that starts in Saturday’s Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.

Perth trainer Luke Fernie has travelled a long way to raise the bar with developing talent Ripcord in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.

Ripcord scored one of the biggest wins of the season when the then three-year-old came from nowhere to claim the $500,000 Placid Ark Stakes at Ascot last November.

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Fernie has decided to test Ripcord against eastern opposition in a spring campaign that starts with a stern examination in the $300,000 Gilgai Stakes.

The son of Written By could be up against multiple Group 1 winners Chain Of Lightning and Magic Time along with Group 1 placegetters Arkansaw Kid, Stretan Angel and Buenos Noches.

Fernie said Ripcord has indicated in his trackwork in Perth that he could handle the rise in class during the spring.

A 2YO stakes winner on debut, Ripcord takes flight again in the $500k Listed @TAB_touch Placid Ark Stakes over 1200m at Ascot.

By @widdenstud’s Written By, Ripcord was sold by Barador Stud & Phoenix Broodmare Farm to Luke Ferrie for $40,000 at the 2021 @mmsnippets National… pic.twitter.com/nClNrsOreP

— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) November 18, 2023

“We keep raising the bar for him every time he goes to the races because we’re putting him under more and more pressure,” Fernie said.

“But he seems to be handling everything really well.

“He’s like a good horse, they seem to be able to consistently do everything that you want to see with them behind the scenes.

“It’s just whether he’s good enough on race day but I certainly feel like he’s got a motor there as long as he can show it on the weekend.”

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Ripcord finished third to Overpass in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes last spring before a close second to grand campaigner Munhamek in the $1.5m Gold Rush (1400m).

The gelding missed a place behind Overpass in the $5m Quokka (1200m) in the autumn but Fernie said Ripcord might be looking for further than 1200m to show his best these days.

“When he came back into work, I said to the owners that 1200(m) was as short as we want to go with him now because he’s got such a big, long stride on him,” Fernie said.

“He’s just matured into a proper horse now and I’m hoping that, once we stretch him out, that we’re going to see an even better horse than what we’ve seen already.”

Exciting Perth sprinter Ripcord will make his Melbourne debut in Saturday’s Group 2 Gilgai Stakes. Picture: Western Racepix

Stretching out Ripcord in trip could land the million-dollar earner in the $10m Golden Eagle in Sydney, but only if he proves himself in two Melbourne outings.

“It’s a possibility that he goes there but he’s got to come out and do a lot right,” Fernie said.

“But the option is there and we’ll let his first two runs decide where we go from there.

“It’s a lot of money and a big race restricted to four-year-olds so you’ve got to give yourself every chance to get there.

“If we fall short, we fall short.”

Ladbrokes rated Ripcord as a $26 chance in early Gilgai Stakes betting but Fernie did not discount the veteran of 10 starts running a bold race fresh.

“He’ll definitely benefit from whatever he does but he’s got a little bit of X-factor,” Fernie said.

“If everything goes smoothly and he can get a nice run, he’s certainly going to be very competitive but I think he’s going to take plenty of benefit from the run.”

Originally published as WA trainer Luke Fernie to aim smart sprinter Ripcord at Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington