A wide barrier is the only concern Anthony Cummings has ahead of Ritzy’s first start at Canterbury but the trainer has waited long enough to get the filly’s career underway.

Ritzy has drawn barrier eight of nine in the tab.com.au Plate (1250m) for her belated debut on Wednesday.

A half-sister to the Cummings-trained 2012 Victoria Derby winner Fiveandahalfstar, Ritzy twisted an ankle when she was scheduled to run in February.

“She is very well now and I’m pleased with her,” Cummings said.

“The barrier isn’t ideal but she needs to get going.

“I’ve been pleased with her trackwork and trials and what she needs now is to get practice at the real thing and learn race craft.

“It’s a nice time for her to be up and ready and I’m hoping she can get to the big races like the Thousand Guineas and the VRC Oaks.

“Even with the barrier I expect her to run well.”

The filly is a $21 outside in the race with the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Serene Majesty the sponsor’s $3.60 favourite.

Ritzy’s elder sibling was a $20,000 yearling but his wins influenced buyers when Ritzy came to the sales and she cost $500,000.

Fiveandahalfstar has had his share of injury woes since he won the 2013 BMW and Cummings is hoping he will be back for the later part of the spring.

“He is having a steady build-up to the back half of the spring,” Cummings said.

“He is not on any tight schedule. He kicked a wall and hurt a hind fetlock which set us back.

“We also tried to build him up and we may have done too well there and he needs to get a bit of weight off him.”

Article from justhorseracing.com.au