by Duane Ranger
Ron Richardson has two more Alexandra Park starts to achieve his own personal milestone.
And the Te Awamutu trainer will be relying on last Friday’s Alexandra Park winner, Classie American, to repeat the dose.
If he can Richardson will end the season with four wins -one more than his previous best.
The three-year-old has so far provided Richardson with all three of his wins in 2016-2017. They were at Manawatu on December 15, Cambridge Raceway on December 28, and last week’s three-quarter length victory at ‘The Park’.
Richardson has trained three winners on three other occasions since taking out his trainer’s licence in the early 1980s. That was in 2013-2014; 2012-2013; and 2009-2010.
“He’s my only horse in work at present and I’ll probably line him again at Alexandra Park on the 14th (July) and then possibly one more start at Alexandra Park after that.
“He goes slightly better right-handed. The way he’s going now I’d like to think he can give me my fourth win. He really sprinted home well on Friday. The races are getting tougher, but so is he,” Richardson said.
By that he meant Classie American had taken some time to mature and even now he was still developing.
“He’s always been a bit weak and has come back stronger this time in, but he’s still got a way to go yet. I think he will make a nice four-year-old when he is fully matured,” said Richardson.
The American ideal – Classic Vicolo gelding has only had eight starts since winning his qualifying trial, eight seconds under time at Cambridge Raceway on August 4 last year.
Stakes-wise this season has been his most lucrative ($22,669) after 2013-2014 ($24,421).
Last Friday Classie American had just his second start back since spelling on January 6. He was the $18.70 ninth favourite.
Peter Ferguson settled Classie American last from his widest front row draw and they were fourth last of 11 at the bell.
They were then four-deep on the markers on the home turn and then swept up wide before piercing through the middle with a strong late burst for victory.
Classie American paced the 2200m mobile in 2:43 even (mile rate: 1:59.2) and came home in 58.2 and 29.5.
“I was delighted with his run. He was a bit weak last time in and I think the wee break has done him the world of good. We are hoping he can go on with it like his older brother, Classic American (by American Ideal), who won one race here and a further 18 in Australia.
“He’s the best I’ve trained and this fella would be second best. We sold Classic American to Perth in 2013 and I kept a share.
“He still holds the Gloucester Park track record of 1:52.6. That’s pretty smart on an 800m track. He has won 18 races over there and more than a quarter of a million dollars,” Richardson said.
“He’s also won the Binshaw and San Simeon Classics. That’s something I’m quite proud of,” he added.
Richardson also has their two-year-old brother in work.
“He’s also by American Ideal and is developing well. I bought into the family with my good friend Keith Hasler, who lives at home and helps me in the stable.
“Keith introduced me to the family and we have won races with the first two foals out of the mare – American Classic (by American Ideal) and Classic Bet (by Bettor’s Delight),” Richardson said.
Richardson has had 25 starters to the races this season and 646 since 1982. His career record stands at 31 winners, 85 place-getters and amassed $205,844 in lifetime stakes.
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