Riven Light on course for Australia
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Riven Light made a quickfire dash into quarantine ahead of a trip to Australia following his Listed success at Listowel on Wednesday.
Following a slightly disappointing novice campaign over hurdles last season, Willie Mullins decided to switch his charge to the Flat this summer and it has proved a masterstroke.
Riven Light claimed the valuable BMW Mile at the Galway Festival, has since won a conditions race at Tipperary and continued his progress with victory in the Listowel Stakes.
"Riven Light won nicely on Wednesday. He's an improving horse," said Mullins.
"We had a bit of a race against time to get him into quarantine. We had to get him through the vets at Listowel and then up on the lorry to get to the ferry in Dublin. He got into Newmarket on Thursday morning with a few hours to spare."
The Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup have been mooted as possible targets for Riven Light once he arrives Down Under.
Kevin Manning steered the five-year-old to his Listowel triumph and Mullins was surprised to learn it was his first winner for the yard.
"Kevin was telling Ruby (Walsh) that it was a long time since he sat on a horse like that, and coming from him that's a fair statement," the trainer added.
"I'm delighted to give Kevin a winner and I was amazed to find out it was the first winner he's ridden for us. I remember driving him to the races the first day he had a ride many years ago. I was in Jim Bolger's at the time.
"Jim was always very fond of him and he's been a fantastic stable jockey for him."
Owner Rich Ricci said: "Riven Light is going to Melbourne. He's in quarantine at Newmarket now so he's definitely going.
"There's plenty of races for him down there. The Melbourne Cup is probably not for him. I'd say his trip is probably an extended seven furlongs to a mile-two, something like that."
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