Carston and Ritchie celebrate new winner

Yogesh Atchamah, Andrew Carston, Lexi Porteous and Glenn Ritchie pictured with Knockingatthedoor. Photo: Riccarton Park

Trainer Andrew Carston has had some great results for owners Glenn and Lynne Ritchie, with Miss Ziggy and I Am Belle among their previous winners and on Tuesday at Riccarton Park they celebrated the maiden win of Knockingatthedoor.

The three-year-old son of Super Seth brought good form into the race, having won two trials in last month.

Jumping from the widest barrier of 12, with Yogesh Atchamah aboard, Knockingatthedoor showed determination to win the The Pavilion Opening November 2026 Maiden (1200m) by a long head from well back in the field on soft footing.

“It was a nice result, Carston said. “It’s always good to get another winner for the Ritchies and it was great to have Glenn on course to see it too.

A $160,000 yearling purchase from Pencarrow Stud, Knockingonthedoor is by champion first and second season sire Super Seth from Peppino, a daughter, by Savabeel, of Group One winning sprinter Guiseppina.

“He’s a horse we’ve always really liked he’s just big and he’s taken a little while to work it all out,” he said. “I was probably just trying to get him to go a bit further than what he wants, I got tricked into thinking he’s a staying type, but he clearly likes to sprint.

“He trialled up well this time, so I was reasonably confident, the wet track was a slight concern, but his ability shone through. “He was still a little bit green so he’s definitely going to improve again from here.”

Carston’s also credited a new addition to his stable, apprentice Sima Mxothwa, who had been onboard the gelding in his two winning trials.

The South African hoop, who previously rode in the North Island, has made a good impression since arriving in Christchurch, with Out Of The Picture for trainer Jo-Ann Gordon his most recent winner, later on the card.

“He’s been with me for three or fourth months and he’s starting to really get his momentum, Carston said. “He’s a good kid and a rider to follow through the winter.”

Carston said that while he had been frustrated by a spate of recent placings, he is happy with how his race team has been performing, and he is looking forward to spring racing with a number of his contenders.