The powerful Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman training partnership produced another filly to watch over the next few weeks when stable debutant Rippin scored a courageous win at Hawera.

The Rip Van Winkle three-year-old broke her maiden status at the first time of asking for the Cambridge based operation after doing her early racing from Grant Lowry and Guy Cullen’s Hastings stable. Unplaced at her first three starts the filly had hinted she was ready to strike with an impressive victory at the Cambridge trials earlier in the month.

A hiccup with the starting gates that saw several horses break through during the loading phase before the race didn’t upset Rippin who jumped nicely at the official start and dictated the speed throughout the 1400m contest.

Sent for home by rider Matt Cameron on the point of the turn she responded gamely when challenged by eventual runner-up Sky Hi Rahtwo to forge clear in the closing stages for a comfortable victory.

“She can handle some cut in the track and she just kept going strongly in it today,” said Baker after the race.

“We think she has a fair bit of ability and could get over more ground in the future as she looks like the type who will get a mile at least.”

Baker had intended to race the filly at Hastings on Thursday however a wide barrier draw saw her scratched in preference for Hawera.

“She was supposed to run at Hastings but when she drew wide we decided to try our luck at Hawera instead,” he said.

“She will probably have a couple more runs in this campaign and then we will put her aside.

“I think she will go on better ground and with some maturity on her side she could be a handy mare in the making.”

The stable made it three wins on the day when former Queensland Derby runner-up Rodrico led all the way to win over 1600m at his first start since returning from a stint in Hong Kong, followed by Major Domo also breaking his maiden status over 1600m one race later.

“He’s pretty smart horse that Rodrico,” said Baker.

“We haven’t had him that long and based on his record I think he could be a fairly handy stayer for the stable.

“He put them away pretty comfortably in the end.”

The win by Major Domo also lifted the stable’s prizemoney earnings in New Zealand past the $4m mark for the season with another $1.6m won in Australia to add to the total.