NZ Ready For Some ‘Ripping' Arrivals

LEADING New Zealand conditioners Angela Turnwald and Paul Freeman are eagerly awaiting the arrival of some prized possessions from across the Tasman, with Rippin' Sam and Ebby Ripper booked in for a tilt at June's Group 1 Silver Collar.

Run and won at Manukau over the testing 779m, the last two staging's of the distance feature have been won by grand stayer Ring The Bell for Ray Adcock, while perhaps the most memorable victory in the event was that of Swift Fantasy back in 2010, scoring for Steve Clark in remarkable fashion.

Watch Swift Fantasy's 2010 Silver Collar victory

With an increased prizemoney pool for 2019 of a cool $100,000 (NZ), Rippin' Sam and Ebby Ripper are both expected to be ideally suited to the grueling 779m journey at Manukau, given their trademark finishing bursts at home in Australia.

Rippin' Sam, winner of the 2018 Group 1 Galaxy at Cannington, hasn't raced since February 23 when finishing down the track to his champion brother Tornado Tears in a heat of the Group 1 Super Stayers at The Meadows.

Ebby Ripper, who suffered a minor injury when fifth to Poco Dorado in her heat of the Group 3 Gold Cup at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, will leave for New Zealand next week, giving the daughter of Sh Avatar ample time to settle into her new surrounds.

For Ebby Ripper's breeder/owner/trainer Michael Eberand, he will be hoping its third time lucky in the Silver Collar, after Bradam Begins and Miji Sydney, half-relations to Ebby Ripper also out of Ebby Miss, previously contested the Group 1 feature.

It's anticipated the Silver Collar will be Ebby Ripper's swansong to racing, with Eberand expected to call time on her glorious career as motherhood beckons for the 27 race winner.