The Weeding Racing team started their Melbourne Cup week in fine style, landing a Wagga double and winning the feature race on the program on Friday.

Making an impressive debut, Richy Ric was given a lovely steer by Jake Duffy before sprouting wings late and triumphing in the 1200m Maiden Handicap.

The three-year-old Capitalist gelding is out of handy performer Clarice Cliffs and is a half-brother to recent stable winner Brave Summit, who is now in the paddock.

Richy Ric’s win continues what has been a wonderful run of maiden winners for the busy Wangaratta stable, which includes the likes of Hazardous, Tungamah Tess, Brave Summit, Misil Beauty and Charlston Lane.

Later on the program, enigmatic galloper Paparazzo landed the biggest win of his career, taking out the Stan Sadleir Stakes (1400m).

Duffy was again aboard and the pair finished with a strong burst to run down early leader Sister Shay in the $32,000 event.

The five-year-old Holler gelding is a consistent type, having started 21 times for four wins and nine minor placings, earning connections just shy of $110,000 in prizemoney.

Stable foreman Dannii French was happy to see Paparazzo put his best hoof forward.

“That's a big result from him,” French said.

"He is a tricky horse and doesn’t like to try that often. He has all the ability but loves to put up a bit of a fight in his runs, but he presented himself lovely today and Jake's ridden him beautifully.

“He’s been trying really hard in his work and his trackwork has been phenomenal; he’s doing super.”

Weeding, French and the team didn’t have long to celebrate, with their attention quickly turning to a busy Derby Day, with race meetings at Berrigan and Tumut.

Headlining the day is Fox Appeal in the Berrigan Cup, with Jake Duffy in the saddle. Cilento and Atomic Blitz are also engaged at Berrigan.

Over at Tumut, Justin Stanley takes the rides on Kayla Marie and Bella Katelyn.

The Weeding Racing team then have meetings at Corowa on Monday, Wangaratta on Tuesday and Kyneton on Wednesday, before the week culminates at Flemington on Thursday, where Yam will contest the $500,000 Melbourne Cup Country Final (1600m).

Words: Jeff Hanson
Image: Kylie Shaw/Trackpix