Just seven runners went to the post for Sunday’s $160,000 Listed Bet365 Kilmore Cup (1600m), but what a competitive finish it proved to be.
With the favourite Imperial Lad and the outsider Al Passem setting a hot pace, the race set up beautifully for the Shane Fliedner-trained Hi Stranger.
The 5yo Zoffany gelding sailed down the centre of the track under Damien Thorton to down the courageous Imperial Lad (All Too Hard) by three-quarters of a length.
It was a nose back to Tibetan (Shocking) in third as just over a length covered the first six across the line.
With his first stakes success at his tenth attempt, Hi Stranger advances his record to eight wins, six seconds, and four thirds from 34 starts with earnings of $671,300.
“He is a good little horse. He is not overly big, but when things fall his way, he is never far away,” Fliedner said.
“He is starting to mix it in good company. He was only a couple of lengths away the other day (in the Group III Chatham Stakes), when he peaked on his run at the 100m at Flemington.
“He was spot on for this today. The query was coming down the hill and the firm track. Horses that try hard can overcome those things.
“This was a test for him for the Lord Stakes on Boxing Day, but we might send him up to Sydney for the Villiers in-between. There is not much here for him.
“He is going to be a very hard horse to replace. I love him.”
Bred by Mario and Jenny Cesnik, Hi Stranger was purchased by Fliedners Racing for $50,000 from the Cesnik’s Riverina Downs draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
He is the best of three winners from four to race out of the winning Viscount mare Luxury Suite, who the Cesniks purchased for just $3,000 at the 2011 Inglis Australian Bloodstock Sale.
Luxury Suite was not covered in three seasons following the Hi Stranger.
Last season she foaled a filly by Ribchester (IRE) and on September 9 produced an Epaulette filly.
Hi Stranger becomes the 48th stakes-winner for Zoffany (IRE), who shuttled to Coolmore Stud for four seasons (2012-15)
Due to liver failure, the Group 1 winning son of Dansili was euthanised at age 13 earlier this year.
