Spiteri Trio On Track For Richmond Riches

PETER Spiteri walked out of Richmond on Friday night grinning from ear to ear after littermates Bland Purr, Let It Happen and Micky McCaw progressed through to this Friday's semi-finals of the Ladbrokes sponsored Richmond Riches (535m).

By Spiteri's former Group 1 winning chaser Let It Develop, Bland Purr recorded a powerful 30.95 heat success for Jodie Lord, while Micky McCaw finished runner-up to Miss Ibrox in his heat for Sam Sultana.

Rounding out the night was Let It Happen's stunning 10-length heat romp for Spiteri in a fast 30.73, the two year old galloper looking every bit the part with an eye-catching performance.

"It was a great night, very proud of the three of them getting through to the semis," said a delighted Spiteri earlier this week.

While Friday night's 30.95 victory was Bland Purr's tenth win from just 23 starts, Let It Happen's slashing 30.73 heat success was his first, following on from an eye-catching second at Bulli on debut just six days earlier.

"My heart was in my mouth with him to be honest – I wasn't sure what he'd do on Friday," said Spiteri.

"He hasn't had much go his way so far. After the litter was broken-in I sent Bland Purr and Let It Happen down to Jodie and Andy (Lord) to train. Andy always said Let It Happen had more ability but last October in a performance trial at Goulburn he got marred quite badly. It really shook the dog around and in his next trial there he came out and was basically looking for that dog and didn't go.

"Andy thought it was best to send him home for me to work on and put some extra time into. In January I gave him a performance trial at Richmond over the 400m and he stayed in the boxes, so it was going from bad to worse.

"After that I sent him away to Peter Sims and to his credit Pete got him going and coming out really good. In fact, in a 300 yard trial at Temora he broke the track record, beating his performed race dog Tom's Desire.”

Following a less than desirable six or so months, Spiteri debuted Let It Happen at Bulli over the 400 metres last Saturday week, finishing a fast finishing second, following on from a slick 22.86 Richmond 400m performance trial.

"He came out alright at Bulli but took a while to wind up, his run home was sensational," said Spiteri.

"I must admit I wasn't sure what he was going to do the other night, my heart was in my mouth. It was the first time in his life he'd gone a yard past 400 metres. He raced like he'd had 100 starts and ran home in 15.07! And he wouldn't have blown a candle out after the race."

Let It Happen has drawn box three in the opening semi-final of the Ladbrokes Richmond Riches this Friday night, tackling a strong field of gallopers, with the likely leader Peter Lagogiane's Demolition Duke, the son of Dyna Double One and Clockwise running an outrageous 5.16 first section in his heat,  gripping on to score in 31.20.

In the second semi-final, Spiteri's Bland Purr, trained by Lord, and Micky McCaw, prepared by Sultana, have drawn alongside each other in boxes seven and eight respectively.

"Bland Purr's run was enormous to win last Friday," said Spiteri.

"Andy almost had to scratch her in the lead up to the race. She got out into a paddock at his place and took off would you believe. In the end it didn't worry her, did it?

"Andy's confident she'll get over 700 but just wanted to get through this series first given she was already paid up for it."

In an absorbing second semi-final, favourtism will be firmly held by Ray Smith's Feral Franky, the son of Collision drawn box five following on from his fast finishing 30.58 heat success, gunning down debutant Knighthood in the final strides.

Knighthood will also take his place in the second semi-final on Friday, with the first four from both qualifiers progressing to next week's $40,000 to-the-winner final.

"It would be great to get through to the final," said Spiteri.

"Let It Develop's only had the two litters but I couldn't be happier with how they're going. I'm very proud of what he's produced and hopefully breeders out there take some notice."

Click here to view the Richmond fields this Friday night