Balf's Choice edges Seymour Cup

Darryl Sherer - Sunday October 22

South Australian visitor Balf's Choice proved strongest in Sunday's Listed Seymour Cup (1600m).

Advertisement
Jockey Joe Bowditch timed his run to perfection delivering the Seymour Cup aboard Balf's Choice. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Enjoying a lovely run to the home turn settled just behind the leaders Ecuador and Moss 'N' Dale, Balf's Choice ($18) was presented three wide into the home straight by Joe Bowditch, holding out Radipole ($10) on his outside to score by a head in a driving finish with Moss 'N' Dale ($3.90 fav) a short neck away third.

Joe Bowditch told Racing Victoria he had the perfect trip aboard the Ryan Balfour-trained Balf's Choice.

"We had a beautiful run, got into the one out one back and settled into a beautiful rhythm," Bowditch said.

"He switched off really nice for me then just hit a bit of a flat spot coming around the corner.

"He took a little bit to wind up but he was good on the line."

Balf's Choice won the Balaklava Cup over 1600m two starts back and Bowditch said the five-year-old son of Written Tycoon was still improving.

"He's a nice horse, a horse that has progressed this time in - he's really come into his own," Bowditch said.

"Full credit to Ryan, I can't say enough good things about him, his stats this year speak for themselves and I can't thank him enough for bringing me over for today."

Balf's Choice is named in honour of trainer Ryan Balfour's late father, David. Balfour said the win meant a lot to the stable.

"It's a big thrill for me - it's the equal of any win I've had so far and he's a really special horse to the stable," Balfour said.

"We didn't go to Murray Bridge for the Cup on Friday, the track was in good order but it's undulating and we didn't think he'd be at his best coming down the hill and this race looked a better option.

"He's got Flemington written all over him with the big track so there's a few options there."

Advertisment
More Reading...
The Remarkable Rise of Zambardo
The one time scruffy weanling that emerged to challenge the mighty Via Sistina (IRE) in the Group I VRC Champions Stakes was one of the finds of the spring, how far can he go?
Sires With Winners - Wednesday December 17
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Digital year concludes on a high - Two Mares Sell for $140,000
Two well-related mares stole the show in today’s Inglis Digital December (Late) Online Sale, selling for $140,000 each in the final auction of 2025.
Magic Fillies Set to Clash in $250,000 MM Debut
Another piece of the Magic Millions puzzle will fall into place at the Gold Coast on Friday night with the running of the $250,000 Magic Millions Debut 2YO Plate (1000m) that features three well bred fillies from major stables that have been impressive at the trials.
Australian Racing Industry wants a say in pattern dispute
For some time, the Australian racing industry has been seeking to have Racing Australia(RA) resolve the current impasse around the Australian Black Type rules and pattern.
One to Watch – Seymour
With his oldest progeny now three year-olds Russian Camelot (IRE) can be expected to start making his presence felt a little more and he had an impressive winner at Seymour on Thursday for Roll the Dice Racing.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Three heats for juveniles at Randwick on Thursday morning were all won by unraced youngsters that included a million dollar filly from the first crop of Home Affairs and the other two winners both have siblings in upcoming sales.
Rebel Dane Magic Trio Highlight the Passing of Time
With a Golden Slipper winning Champion 2YO in Fireburn coming from just his second crop of foals, Rebel Dane was an under the radar sire that found fame in a rush, but as so often happens it takes a very long time for that achievement to follow into the sale ring.
Russian Revolution Filly Chasing G2 Wakefield Challenge
Young talent Lara Antipova will be heavily in credit with Craig Grylls if she can carry him to victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham.
G3 Grand Prix Goal for Karaka Graduate
Gold Coast trainers Tony and Maddy Sears will be hoping talented filly Nightline can provide them with back-to-back winners of the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.