While many breeders take a standoffish approach to American-performed stallions, David Moodie has no such problem.
Dating back to a future champion sire, Forty Niner (USA), to Street Cry (USA) and Street Boss (USA), Moodie has been a big supporter. He appears to have a likely type in his 2-year-old Omaha Beach (USA) homebred Band Of Brothers.
Coming off a debut fifth at Sale on June 26, Band Of Brothers broke his maiden over a field of bluebloods in the Brian Templeton's Final Dash Maiden Plate (1100m) at Bendigo on Thursday.
Ridden by Damian Lane for the ailing Mathew Ellerton, Band Of Brothers jumped smartly and settled outside the leader Let'sfacethemusic. The pair dominated the finish, with Band Of Brothers defeating the $475,000 I Am Invincible colt Let'sfacethemusic with five and a half lengths back to the $2,500,000 I Am Invincible colt Railway Man in third.
"He's a progressive horse, and after a few close seconds lately, it's good to get one over the line for Matty," Lane said.
"This horse has promised a bit and did a few things wrong first-up, but he didn't have the easiest of trips. He improved his manners today and showed what he has been showing at home.
"He travelled well throughout and always felt comfortable.
"It would be a great boost for Matty, who has been through a tough time but is on the mend, and I'm sure he would be watching. Well done to Matty's staff, who have been doing a terrific job, and the horses have been going great."
Band Of Brothers is the first winner from two to race for the unraced Medaglia d'Oro (USA) mare Medgrinda, a daughter of Kulgrinda (Exceed And Excel) whose five stakes winners were highlighted by the Group III SAJC RN Irwin Stakes.
A three-quarter sister to Viery Stud's Headwater, Kulgrinda descends from a family that has served Contact Racing well over the years.
Medgrinda has a yearling colt by Vino Rosso (USA) and a weanling filly by Gold Standard.
Arkansas Derby and Malibu Stakes winner Omaha Beach (War Front) shuttled to Australia from Spendthrift Farm's Kentucky base for two seasons.
