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By Ray Hickson

It took Riodini until his 18th Australian start before cracking it for a local win but now he’s found his groove jockey Tim Clark says he can go on with it at Randwick on Saturday.

Jockey Tim Clark (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The six-year-old former Kiwi has been on Aussie soil since 2020 and in the ensuing couple of years he’s been responsible for some big performances without winning, particularly over the Randwick mile which stands him in good stead for the Group 2 $2m The Ingham (1600m).

Riodini comes into the race on the back of a track record win in The Gong last month.

“I think he’s in great shape, he won really well at Kembla and he hasn’t seemed to have gone backwards,’’ Clark said.

“He was well and truly due for a change of luck and to get one on the board.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on him. He’s got some great performances at the Randwick mile and he’s definitely a good chance to win that race.”

Clark is referring to his seconds to Think It Over in the Chelmsford Stakes last year and to Verry Elleegant in the George Main Stakes, and a third in the 2020 Epsom.

Everything fell into place for the gelding at Kembla, despite tracking wide, as he held off classy mare Hope In Your Heart and Old Flame and it was just his third run for the preparation.

“He’d had two nice lead up runs, probably just unsuitable races but they gave him a good platform into Kembla when he got to the mile for the first time this prep and he was really strong there,’’ he said.

“They were running fast times all day but it was a track record run and he didn’t have it all his own way. That form has got to be strong for this weekend and he should make his presence felt.

Riodini, $8.50 with TAB on Friday, is one of three horses in the Ingham from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, the others being Surf Dancer and Dajraan, and the trio could have a say in the speed of the race given they’ve drawn 17, 22 and 19 respectively (before scratchings).

“I’m not too concerned about it, we’ll just deal with it the best we can,’’ Clark said.

“Gai’s obviously got a few in it and they’ll all head forward but he should find himself in the first half dozen again and get his chance.”

The winner of the Ingham is exempt from ballot into the 2023 Doncaster Mile on Day 1 of The Championships (April 1).

Clark has a healthy opinion of the Waterhouse/Bott two-year-old The Little Pumper ahead of his debut in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) and is expecting a competitive performance but is also wary of the boom on the early favourite Facile.

Riodini wins The Gong at Kembla Grange

The colt has trialled twice and improved into the second hitout to score by over 1-1/2 lengths at Warwick Farm on November 18.

“He’s a nice horse, he’s come a long way and both his trials have been good,’’ he said.

“He has good ability, he’s going to need to because Gerald and Sterling’s filly looks to have trialled up sharply.

“He’s done nothing wrong so far and continues to work well and improve. I think he can run a good race and be somewhere in the finish.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting