Ritchford aiming to be best from the bush

Toowoomba gelding continues his fairytale path to Country Cups final.

Toowoomba gelding and Country Cups Challenge Final hopeful Ritchford (outside) defeats Rather Salubrious in last month's Clifton Cup.

RACING: A gelding purchased with no expectations can go to the top of the class today when he looks to deliver his connections a Queensland feature win.

Ritchford is one of 15 “bush” gallopers lining up in this afternoon’s $105,000 Country Cups Challenge (1600m) at Doomben.

The race restricted to entries without a city victory during the past two years brings together horses from throughout the state who have contested this season’s qualifying heats.

Ritchford has sailed into the decider for trainer Jackie Crompton on the back of of recent victories at Tara, Clifton and Chinchilla.

Ritchford was bought earlier this year by Crompton and her husband Wayne via the internet.

Jackie chose the seven-year-old to try and chase a sentimental win in last month’s Tara Cup, run this year in memory of her late father and long-time Tara trainer Ken Dowling.

The gelding delivered a memorable Tara victory on cue and now finds himself an early $9.50 chance to present his supporters with a “bonus” series final win.

“We didn’t have any expectations when we bought him,” Jackie said yesterday.

“He just fitted what we were looking for to try and win the Tara Cup for dad and things have gone from there.

“The only little hitch is he had to run in five non-TAB races to be eligible for the final.

“That meant he had to have four starts in four weeks but he came through that well and we have just kept him ticking over.

“We’ve won city races but not for $61,000 first prize money so we are having a family day at Doomben tomorrow and hopefully he can race well.”

# TALENTED Toowoomba filly Gem Of Scotland is a scratching from today’s Listed Mode Plate at Doomben with trainer Rex Lipp announcing she will be spelled after sustaining a slight leg injury.