Warwick Predicts Bright Future For Vanrippa
20 August, 2015
Thoroughbred
Trainer Justin Warwick predicts a bright future for Vanrippa who grabbed his second win from nine starts with a dominant display in the Download The Tabtouch Mobile App Handicap (1300m) at Belmont.
Warwick tested Vanrippa in elite company last year but came unstuck when the son of Kendel Star ran second last in both the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1500m) and Listed Melvista Stakes (2200m) at Ascot.
But the chestnut gelding recovered at his next preparation to run three placings from four starts including a last-start second to Shravan when beaten a short neck over 1400m in June.
In the adept hands of Warwick’s daughter, Lucy, Van Rippa settled back, moved to fifth approaching the corner before displaying a turn-of-foot to defeat favourite, Kaapander by ¾ of a length with Halo Express third.
“He is a late foal and a slow maturing horse as well,” said Warwick.
“He is a young horse coming through with lots of potential.
“I think his best is a year away.
“In time I like to think he could be a country cups type of horse.
“I’m hoping he can become a bit like Global Flirt.
“But I will take my time with him.
“In a year or 18 months who knows what you are going to get.”
Global Flirt, a McFlirt entire, won last November’s Tattersall’s Cup (2100m) and earlier this year ran second to Tick Tick Bloom in the Bunbury Cup (2200m) and placed third to Kirov Boy in the Pinjarra Cup (2300m).