Riccio Embarks On Richmond Riches Quest

CHARLIE Riccio is banking that a decided class edge on her opposition will be enough to see an "underdone" Gone By Noon salute in the opening Richmond Riches heat this Friday night.

Purchased by Riccio at the 2018 Richmond Riches Auction for a modest $3000, Gone By Noon (My Bro Fabio x Flash Earner) heads into Friday night's 535m heats first-up from a five week break, her most recent outing a powerhouse 29.93 second victory at Wentworth Park.

"I wish the series was another week away – she's going into Friday night a bit underdone," Riccio said.

"She cut her foot after her last win – it wasn't anything major but just enough to set her back a few weeks.

"I haven't been able to do a lot with her but she went up Appin Tuesday and went better than she's ever gone so she's as good as I can have her.

"But whatever she does on Friday night she'll be a lot better for if she can make it through to the final."

RICHMOND FRIDAY FIELDS & FORM

Under the guidance of Riccio, Gone By Noon has kicked off her career in sensational fashion, boasting four wins and four seconds from just nine appearances.

And her early exploits continues the tremendous success Riccio has enjoyed purchasing stock at auctions over the years.

"Call it luck or whatever but the three I've bought are Combustion which could really run then Caishen which has won over $100,000 and now Gone By Noon," Riccio said.

"I study the bloodlines and that's what stood out with Gone By Noon.

"Flash Earner's first litter, which included Sir Duke, were going good when Caishen started racing so when I went to the auction I had these pups in mind. There was a bid for $2500 then I got her for $3000 and that was that."

Capable of running blinding times, Riccio is adamant the best is yet ahead for the pre-post Richmond Riches favourite.

"I honestly don't know how good she could be," Riccio said.

"Early on I trialled her against Shanjo Prince one out at Dapto and she beat him in 29.61.

"Her first trial at Wenty she went 29.80. I don't know if it will be Friday but if she ran 30.30 at Richmond it wouldn't really surprise me. She's already gone 30.50."

Four heats of the Richmond Riches are slated for Friday night with first and second progressing through to next week's $40,000 to-the-winner final.

And as is the case with auction series' from time to time, the disparity in class is profound across the four qualifiers.

"I could be wrong but on form the two that look the best chance in the series are my bitch and Sanctify," Riccio said.

"I don't want any good luck on Friday night, I just don't want any bad luck."

Gone By Noon has been installed a red hot $1.35 favourite for the opening heat on Friday night from her box seven draw.

In heat two, Sharky's Wish has been set the $1.90 favourite from box one while in heat three, Sanctify, in the hands of Peter Lagogiane for his Richmond Riches campaign, is quoted at $1.95.

The fourth and final heat will see Keith Pedrana's Stomping Tiger go around all the rage at $1.35 from box six in a race where Highly Dangerous makes his debut from box one, the son of Fernando Bale knocked down for a sale topping $21,000 at the 2018 auction.

"I don't want to put the cart before the horse but I wouldn't swap her for anything," Riccio said.

"And when she retires I've already decided I'm putting her to my dog Mr Pupparazzi. People don't know how good that dog was. He was a freak."