Ritza Piper delivers first Group win for Scerri in Summer Plate
There were emotional scenes after the running of the Group 2 Summer Distance Plate Final at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, with young participant Joe Scerri claiming his first Group victory as a trainer.
His charge Ritza Piper came into the event off the back of an impressive heat performance from box eight in a time of 42.16.
With a favourable inside draw in the final, the daughter of Ritza Lenny and Ritza Vonnie stepped smartly at box rise and quickly took up second position behind Silver Luck, who gave a great sight out in front for Jodie Lord.
The 25kg pocket rocket slowly ate away into the leader's margin, taking control halfway down the straight to salute by 1.5 lengths at the finish in a sizzling time of 41.97.
It was Ritza Piper's eighth career victory from 13 starts.
Pre-race favourite Cawbourne Magic settled at the tail of the field for a majority of the race, before making a late charge to finish third.
2023 Summer Distance Plate Final replay
Ritza Piper – 41.97
Group 2 Summer Distance Plate results
- Ritza Piper – Joe Scerri
- Silver Luck – Jodie Lord
- Cawbourne Magic – Jodie Lord
- First Picked – Tim Britton
- Stagger Out Lee – Jack Strutt
- Zipping Abigail – Richard Muscat
- Osprey Storm – Angela Langton
- Zipping Neutron – Michael Hardman