The Longest Yard Completes a Good Weekend for Lean Mean Machine

Mark Smith - Sunday July 30

On Sunday, the 2yo gelding The Longest Yard made a winning debut against his elders over 1000m at Bairnsdale, completing an excellent weekend for Ponderosa Park and first-season stallion Lean Mean Machine.

No stopping The Longest Yard.(image Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)

Ponderosa Park bred and part-owned the Lean Mean Machine gelding Title Fighter an impressive winner on debut at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Like Title Fighter, The Longest Yard found it challenging to find a home.

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He went unsold through the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale and the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale before taking the eye of his trainer, Matthew Brown, at the 2022 Inglis Gold Yearling Sale for $24,000.

After beginning well under Brian Higgins, The Longest Yard drifted back to midfield. Making his run three and four wide, the son of Lean Mean Machine finished powerfully to defeat the 4yo Diddident mare Middle Child by a length with a further length and a half back to the 3yo No Nay Never filly Flower Gallery in third.

The Longest Yard is the second named foal of the Smart Missile mare Launched. Her first foal is the talented No Nay Never mare No Way Ever, a winner at Flemington, Sandown (x2) and Pakenham for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.

The Longest Yard a $24,000 Inglis Gold yearling

From the family of Group II MVRC Alister Clark Stakes and Group II MRC Caulfield Autumn Classic winner Tally (Street Cry), Launched had a Frosted colt sell to Enigma Farm for $40,000 when consigned by Maluka Thoroughbreds to the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale Showcase Session.

Launched was covered by Blue Point )IRE) last spring.

The Longest Yard is the fourth first-crop winner for Aquis Farm’s Lean Mean Machine. 

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Race Result - Life Members Of Lindenow Racing Club Mdn 1000m

Bairnsdale Track: Good(4) Time: 0:59.51
1
The Longest Yard
- 2g Lean Mean Machine (AUS) x Launched (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Brown Rdr: B Higgins 57
2
1.0
Middle Child
- 4m Dissident (AUS) x Stellas Delight (AUS) (Nuclear Freeze (USA))
Tnr: Patrick Keane Rdr: Luke Campbell 56
3
2.5
Flower Gallery
- 3f No Nay Never (USA) x Classic Brassica (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: T Kilgower Rdr: Tianni Chapman 55.5
4
3.5
Governor Phillip
- 4g Sooboog (AUS) x Mar Mara (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Lisa Jones Rdr: Ms D Keane 56.5
5
4.0
Upforthechallenge
- 3f Ready For Victory (AUS) x Magic Giggle (AUS) (Happy Giggle (AUS))
Tnr: Adele Garraway Rdr: J Maskiell 57.5
6
5.0
Bad Girl Bubbles
- 2f Overshare (AUS) x Miracle To Me (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: John McArdle Rdr: Liam Riordan 55
7
5.2
Golden Zou
- 6g Zoustar (AUS) x Miss Eejay (AUS) (Duke Of Marmalade (IRE))
Tnr: Ms M Rizzo Rdr: Laura Lafferty 59.5
8
5.4
Brennus
- 3g De Gaulle (AUS) x Stirring (NZ) (Align (AUS))
Tnr: T Rogers Rdr: D L Turner 59.5
9
6.1
Frosty Vonn
- 4m Frosted (USA) x Elvonn (AUS) (Hold That Tiger (USA))
Tnr: Paul & Tracey Templeton Rdr: J Noonan 57.5
10
6.9
Never Let Me Go
- 2f No Nay Never (USA) x Fast Susan (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Logan McNeil 55.5
11
7.2
Proud Value
- 5g Lago Delight (AUS) x Miss Beera (AUS) (De Beers (NZ))
Tnr: Kerry Farrugia Rdr: Jessica Booth 55.5
12
9.4
Snowgum
- 4g Moshe (AUS) x Born This Way (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: C G Murray Rdr: Gary Lo 59.5
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