Novara Park plans working well for Ritchie

An invitation from Novara Park has translated into immediate racing success for Shaune Ritchie and his clients.

The Cambridge trainer, who operates in partnership with Colm Murray, produced Dubawi Diva for a stylish debut victory at Matamata on Sunday.

The two-year-old made all the running in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1050m) and held a strong gallop under apprentice Jack Taplin to make a dream start for all concerned.

“We were approached by Luigi Muollo, who’s got Novara Park, and he had a few fillies to lease, so we went out and picked one and she stood out to us,” Ritchie said.

A daughter of young resident sire King Of Comedy, Dubawi Diva is the fourth winner for the Dubawi mare Diamonds Of Dubai and is raced by Ritchie with Allan Pate and the rugby-orientated Cushy Crew’s Syndicate.

“Allan has raced quite a few horses with us and is involved with the Owners’ Federation and members of the Leamington Rugby Club are involved, I kept a share for myself so it’s a good way to kick it off,” Ritchie said.

“Her trials were nice and quiet and she’s been no hassle, she’s generally showed pretty good gate speed.

“With a claim and the fillies’ allowance, and the track in great order and the rail held up really well early, she was just a little bit too strong.

“Obviously, drawing barrier one helped with the way she races and made it a bit harder for the others to catch her from wider gates.”

Ritchie is now looking at late season stakes options for Dubawi Diva.