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Baller Belts Them in Moreton Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday June 5

Under a rails-hugging ride by Glen Boss, Baller dominated the Group II Ascot Green Moreton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm, but trainer Tony Gollan is unlikely to be tempted to back up the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding in the $1million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Baller (image BRC twitter)

It was two out of two for Baller since being to transferred to Tony Gollan having won the Listed Golmarket Quality (1200m) at the Gold Coast on May 8.

Gollan said the secret to Baller’s success is to space his runs and keep him fresh.

Given a patient ride by Glen Boss, Baller took the shortest route home to defeat Zaniah (Zoustar) by two and a quarter lengths with Wisdom Of Water (Headwater) a short-neck back in third.

The handsome 5yo gelding advanced his record to six wins, one second and two thirds from 21 starts with earnings of $479,565.

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Purchased by Anthony Cummings for $160,000 out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Baller is the best of six winners from seven to race out of the Encosta De Lago mare Fuwa who died in 2017.

The final foal of Fuwa is the 3yo Star Witness gelding Kobestar.

Baller is one of 133 stakes-winner for High Chaparral (IRE) who last shuttled in 2014 and died in December that year.

High Chaparral

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Race Result - Ascot Green Moreton Cup Gr2 1200m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.18
1
Baller
- 5g High Chaparral (IRE) x Fuwa (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: G Boss 55.5
2
2.3
Zaniah
- 5m Zoustar (AUS) x Listen Here (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: A Mallyon 54
Zoustar
3
2.5
Wisdom Of Water
- 3c Headwater (AUS) x Regal Tier (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Craig Williams 55
Headwater
4
4.7
The Astrologist
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Aquada (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: Ben Thompson 55
5
6.4
Stampe
- 4g Whittington (AUS) x Envelope (AUS) (Monashee Mountain (USA))
Tnr: Chris Munce Rdr: L V Cassidy 55
6
7.2
Scallopini
- 6g Snitzel (AUS) x Rose Of Mulan (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Baylee Nothdurft 56
7
10.4
Varda
- 4m Lonhro (AUS) x Wild Queen (AUS) (Loup Sauvage (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 53.5
8
11.7
Splintex
- 4h Snitzel (AUS) x Acquired (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J Parr 57
9
18.2
Special Reward
- 5g Demerit (AUS) x Special Kiseki (AUS) (Special Bond (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J Bowman 56.5
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