Julia Ritchie has been involved in breeding and racing horses all her life and has collected a fair share of Group One trophies.She has never won a Metropolitan Handicap or a Melbourne Cup but is daring to dream that Red Lord can do both, starting with the first leg on Saturday.A director of the Australian Jockey Club, Ritchie will also be cheering Miss Darcey in the Spring Champion Stakes and is excited just to have runners on such a big day at Randwick where four Group One races are supported

Julia Ritchie has been involved in breeding and racing horses all her life and has collected a fair share of Group One trophies.

She has never won a Metropolitan Handicap or a Melbourne Cup but is daring to dream that Red Lord can do both, starting with the first leg on Saturday.

A director of the Australian Jockey Club, Ritchie will also be cheering Miss Darcey in the Spring Champion Stakes and is excited just to have runners on such a big day at Randwick where four Group One races are supported by six black-type events.

"I still pinch myself that I can have horses who can race on these big days," Ritchie said.

"And I'm really excited to have a horse of the calibre of Red Lord who is so competitive in all his races.

"I've never had a Metropolitan winner and to think I might have a Melbourne Cup runner is a dream."

Red Lord is trained by Ritchie's long-time friend Anthony Cummings and has been the dominant favourite for the Metropolitan (2400m) for some weeks.

He has won two of his three starts this preparation and only just failed in the Kingston Town Stakes when Hurrah stole the race with a daring ride from Hugh Bowman.

Cummings elected not to run him again after that race on September 13 and gave him a barrier trial last week instead.

"I think the Kingston Town was actually his best race this preparation," Cummings said.

"And he did everything I wanted in the barrier trial."

Red Lord has had a series of riders throughout his career but this time campaign Corey Brown has been aboard for his races and his recent trial and Ritchie hopes he can be persuaded to stick with him all the way to the Melbourne Cup.

"Corey has really tapped into him and they get along well together," Ritchie said.

"I'd like to think he will stay with him but we'll get through Saturday first."

Red Lord was one of a handful of Sydney horses to make it across the Victorian border last year before it was closed because of the equine influenza outbreak.

He failed to make the Melbourne Cup field but did win the race regarded as the consolation, the Lavazza Long Black (2800m) at Flemington.

Cummings believes missing last year's Melbourne Cup may have been to Red Lord's advantage.

"He is a much more seasoned horse this time around," he said.

"Everything about him suggests he can measure up to the cup."

Red Lord was on Thursday steady at $2.80 with TAB Sportsbet with Fiumicino next best at $6.