Connections of Confrontational face a decision before Friday whether to stump up a $110,000 late entry fee in Victoria Derby for Confrontational after the son of Redoute’s Choice scored a decisive win in Wednesday’s Listed Roderick Insurance Geelong Classic (2200m).
Ridden by Noel Callow for trainers Jason Warren and Dean Krongold, Confrontational came from midfield to defeat the Dundeel colt Azaly by a length with the Crowded House (GB) filly Vilanculos a short-half-head back in third.
It took six starts for Confrontational to break his maiden over 1600m at Swan Hill on September 29 after which he finished third over 1600m at Caulfield at his most recent start.
“He did a lot wrong in his early starts. We have done a lot of work on him at home and Noel has been terrific trying to teach him to settle,” Krongold said.
“He’s relished stepping up to the 2200m today. It looks like he has a bright future.
“The plan was to see him through today and put him away for the autumn, but we might have to sit down and have a rethink.
“He’s going to be a terrific autumn three-year-old so we will get him home and access from there.”
Purchased by Jason Warren Racing/Peregrine Bloodstock for $250,000 out of the Baramul Stud drat at the 2019 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Confrontational is the third winner from four to race out of the winning Encosta De Lago mare Zastava.
A daughter of the Zabeel mare Zastov, who placed in the Group 1 Doncaster Hcp and Group 1 Epsom Hcp, Zastava hails from the famed Easter Bride (GB) family.
That family can claim a former Victoria Derby winner in Blackfriars as well as Melbourne Cup winners Straight Draw and Ethereal, Caulfield Cup winner Ilumquh, and Sydney Cup winners General Command and Mr Prudent.
A full-sister to Confrontational was purchased by Hawkes Racing from the Baramul draft at this year’s Gold Coast Sale and has been named Stavanger.
Zastava has a yearling colt by Exceed And Excel and was covered by I Am Invincible last spring.
Confrontational becomes the 175th stakes-winner for Arrowfield stud’s late, great Redoute’s Choice
