Family rivalry set to play out in million dollar race

9 March 2011

Family rivalry set to play out in million dollar race

Sons don't often get a chance to beat their fathers in sport, but this afternoon at Ellerslie, Frank Ritchie has two sons looking to steal his glory.

The Cambridge-based trainer of Showcause, which will line up as the favorite in the $1m Group I Stella Artois Auckland Cup tomorrow at Ellerslie, is squaring off against sons Shaune and Craig, who train Roi d'Jeu and Solid Billing respectively.

If either of their geldings beat his to the finish line, they'll ruin his chance of completing an amazing feat; winning the 147th Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup, Waiwera Water City of Auckland Cup, Cardinal Logistics Avondale Cup and Stella Artois Auckland Cup, all with Showcause this season.

"The Stella Artois Auckland Cup is a race that's rich in history and great competition like this only adds to the thrill of the day," said Auckland Racing Club CEO Chris Weaver.

"It's an unusual and exciting situation to have three talented trainers, all from one family, each with horses in contention for a big race like the Cup. Frank trained the legendary Bonecrusher and has had a dream season with Showcause. Both Shaune, who was Bonecrusher's strapper all those year's ago and Craig are talented trainers, so I guess if Frank loses out to anyone, he'd rather it be to one of his sons," Weaver added.

The three geldings will line up alongside 15 other thoroughbreds, ready to jump from the Ellerslie gates at 5.52pm.

With 3,200m to run and the lion's share of the $1,000,000 in stakes on offer to the winner, it will take a little over three minutes before one of them is first past the Ellerslie winners' post and writes its name into the history books.

And with a talented field that includes two sons lining up to steal their father's glory, the 2011 Stella Artois Auckland Cup is set to be a classic battle.

ENDS

© Scoop Media