Lean Mean Machine's Title Fighter Explosive on Debut

Mark Smith - Saturday July 29

While it was back to the drawing board for a few of his rivals, the Lean Mean Machine debutant Title Fighter looked the consummate professional in Saturday's Ladbroke It! Hcp (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

Title Fighter did everything right on debut (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Craig Williams for Clayton Douglas, Title Fighter strode to the lead from an outside barrier and was not for catching.

The talented Better Than Ready colt Epic Proportions closed to half a length, with the Pierro colt Prinzerro back in third.

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A $24,000 Inglis Great Southern weanling, Title Fighter was a $20,000 purchase for his breeder Ponderosa Park / Intel Bloodstock when consigned by Reid Racing to the 2022 Inglis Ready2Race Sale.

"He is a fast horse. He had a couple of starts without blinkers on, so I left them off today," Douglas said.

"He knew his job, although he was a little steady into his stride like in his jumpouts, but he can get going after a furlong.

"There were a few inexperienced horses off the bridle at the top of the straight. If you are on the fence and leading, it's hard at the Valley, but it all worked out.

"He had a bit of a gawk around. It looked like he was floating until that horse got to the back of him, and he finished it off nicely."  

More wins in store for this son of Lean Mean Machine (image Grant Courtney)

Title Fighter is the first winner for the very capable Artie Schiller mare If Not Now When, who died after leaving two foals.

If Not Now When won the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush at Bendigo on debut and the $100,000 VOBIS Gold Plate at Cranbourne at her second start for Henry Dwyer. She made a further 23 starts without winning.

If Not Now When is a three-quarter sister to Group III winner Bid Chill (Artie Schiller).

Title Fighter is the third winner for Aquis Farm's Lean Mean Machine.

The dual Group II winning son of Zoustar stands at $13,200 in 2023. 

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Race Result - Ladbroke It! Hcp 1000m

Moonee Valley Track: Soft(5) Time: 0:59.76
1
Title Fighter
- 2g Lean Mean Machine (AUS) x If Not Now When (AUS) (Artie Schiller (USA))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: Craig Williams 55.5
2
0.4
Epic Proportions
- 2c Better Than Ready (AUS) x Commanding Epic (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 56.5
3
1.4
Prinzerro
- 2c Pierro (AUS) x Dongxing Princess (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Jye McNeil 56.5
4
2.1
Hedged
- 2g Capitalist (AUS) x Acing Shamrock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Beau Mertens 55.5
5
2.5
Massira
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Marrakesh (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 56.5
6
2.7
Roussillon
- 2g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Fitou (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Shinn 59
7
8.0
Auriel
- 2g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Angelic Spirit (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: C Newitt 55.5
8
8.2
Ablett
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Avenue (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: Ms L J Meech 55.5
9
11.7
Prince Of Fire
- 2g Thronum (AUS) x Love To Live (AUS) (Excites (AUS))
Tnr: Tom Dabernig Rdr: D Yendall 55.5
10
12.1
Hey Fat Cat
- 2c Rubick (AUS) x Keep De Rose (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: R E Laing Rdr: W F Pinn 53
11
20.1
Destiny Dalai
- 2g Reward For Effort (AUS) x Dalayel (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: C J Davis Rdr: Tayla Childs 54
12
20.3
Destiny Gungho
- 2g Reward For Effort (AUS) x The Singing Bullet (AUS) (Snippetson (AUS))
Tnr: C J Davis Rdr: Fred W Kersley 55.5
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