Richter's Rapid Rise Has Stewart Derby Dreaming

HOBBY trainer Gary Stewart is trying to keep a lid on the growing excitement surrounding his budding young prospect Off The Richter.

But the Erina based conditioner admits that's a task which is becoming increasingly difficult after the gifted speedster ripped away for a second Wentworth Park victory last week in a flying 29.77.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

In just six starts, the 21-month old Off The Richter has enjoyed a rapid ascension with three wins and three placings, with a berth in next week's Group 1 National Derby series now all but a formality.

Yet before he steps up to group 1 grade, the fashionably bred son of Barcia Bale and Kermaro will first line-up in Saturday night's Ladbrokes Mates Mode Final (520m) where he'll exit box eight for the second week running.

"It's all happened very quickly but he just keeps getting fitter, faster and stronger and is handling everything I've thrown his way," Stewart said.

"While a few in the litter are a work in progress and still finding their feet everything has come natural to this fella since we put him into training. 

"You can see each time he races he's learning and improving so it's hard not to get excited. We're enjoying the ride and all things being equal we'll have a crack at the Derby – you only get one go at it.

"The first time I took him to Wentworth Park he trialled 29.80 with an 11.80 run home and the other night he came home in 11.62.

"He's very strong. Later on he could get further."

While Stewart is now revelling in Off The Richter's upward ascension and easy going nature he says early doors he had concerns whether he'd even race, let alone excel to the level he has.

"Chris and Sarah Kedwell reared the litter for us and we have them and their daughter Maddie to thank a lot for this fella," Stewart said.

"As a pup he was getting bashed around by his brothers and sisters and really didn't want to know much about anyone or anything. Chris and Sarah decided to take him out of the yard and their daughter Maddie spent plenty of one on one time with him and it really brought him out of his shell.

Dennis Stewart trained his first winner on New Year's Day, 1955, and the 88-year-old is still winning races with Off The Richter leading throughout in an impressive @WentyParkGreys debut on Friday night.

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"He is a beautiful animal and for a while there I thought he'd make it as a wonderful pet and that'd be about it.

"It's amazing the turnaround."

Adding to the growing anticipation around the prodigious talent is that Stewart shares in the ownership with good friend Darryl Burke and a number of family members, including father Dennis, aged 88, who remarkably trained his first winner on New Year's Day in 1955.

"When we decided to breed with Kermaro we bit the bullet and shelled out the money to go to Barcia Bale," Stewart added.

"It was probably a bit of a risk but it's worked out great and the family are enjoying the ride with us. There's plenty of us involved and when we win we make sure we celebrate.

"We raced the mum with success as well which makes it even more special. She's due on any day now and we're going to Hooked On Scotch."