Karrakatta Plate performers start their spring climb

The TABtouch-Pinnacles may still be almost five months away, but two key contenders are back in work ahead of big campaigns.

Super Smink and Ripcord, who won and finished third respectively in the Group 2 Amelia Park-Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot in April, have started their build ups to the lucrative Pinnacles carnival later this year.

The Dan Morton-trained Super Smink won the state’s premier two-year-old race, before going on to take out the Group 3 WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) a fortnight later.

Morton said he was excited to have the filly back in his stable.

“I’m very happy with her,” Morton told TABradio.

“She’s furnished beautifully.

“Hopefully she can step into the same shoes as Amelia’s Jewel did.

“That will be the path we take.”

Amelia’s Jewel, who won last year’s Karrakatta Plate, started in the Belgravia Stakes, Burgess Queen Stakes, WA Guineas and Northerly Stakes last year.

Ripcord, who won the Perth Stakes (1100m) in his only other career start, is also back in work for trainer Luke Fernie.

Fernie said he would take a patient approach with the son of Written By.

“He came back into work three weeks ago,” Fernie told TABradio.

“I kept him away from Ascot and kept him out in the sticks just to do some fitness work.

“There’s no real rush for him.

“He’s certainly developed into a really nice horse.”

Meanwhile, Morton said he expected another strong showing from Kratesis in tomorrow’s Free Entry To Belmont Park Plate (1400m) at Belmont but conceded race favourite Ancient Guidance would be hard to beat.