McHale a Surprise Winner of G3 Bill Ritchie

Media Release - Saturday September 21

The Group III ATC Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday was a muddling run affair and produced a blow out result when unheralded Shooting to Win gelding McHale enjoyed an inspired ride from Rachel King to snatch a last stride win.

McHale wins the G3 Bill Ritchie - image Steve Hart

Trained by Chris Waller, McHale was resuming from a spell with a couple of good recent trials to tune him up after a solid winter campaign that finished with a third in the Group III BRC Gunsynd Classic won by Bases Loaded.

McHale produced a career best effort to beat fast finishing Gringotts with the race favourite Tom Kitten a no show to finish out of the placings.

The winner of the Bill Ritchie earns a ballot exemption for the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 5 and that $1.5million race will now be considered for McHale.

"I guess we have a look at the Epsom. It's an owner's privilege to be running in those races when you win the lead-up," Waller said.

"He had the run of the race, it was a nice ride from Rachel (King). He's a good horse and he always runs well fresh."

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McHale was a $160,000 Inglis Classic purchase.

A $160,000 Inglis Classic purchase for Star Thoroughbreds / Randwick Bloodstock Agency from the Edinglassie Stud draft, McHale has the overall record of four wins and two placings from 12 starts with prizemoney topping $210,000.

McHale is a half-brother to Group II winners Ninth Legion and Tsaritsa as well as Group III placed Sing a Love Song and is the third stakes-winner among six winner from terrific producer Xaar’s Jewel, who was retired from stud duty in 2022.

Her final foal a two year-old filly by Zousain that made $160,000 at Inglis Classic when bought by Annabel Neasham Racing / William Johnson Bloodstock and has been named Insain Jewel.

McHale is the 11th stakes-winner for Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting to Win, who started his stud career at Darley and is now in Western Australia at Oakland Park Stud at a fee of $9,900.

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Race Result - James Squire Kingston Town Stakes Gr3 2000m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 2:01.54
1
Eliyass
- 6g Le Havre (IRE) x Edilisa (IRE) (Azamour (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
2
0.5
Ceolwulf
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Las Brisas (GB) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
3
2.3
Golden Path
- 5g Belardo (IRE) x Golden Destination (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Schofield 55
4
3.3
Serpentine
- 8g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: A Hyeronimus 56
5
4.1
Zardozi
- 4m Kingman (GB) x Chanderi (GB) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
6
5.1
Land Legend
- 5g Galileo (IRE) x Landikusic (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Lloyd 55
7
8.6
Alegron
- 6g Teofilo (IRE) x Alegria (AUS) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 57
8
9
Kalapour
- 8g War Command (USA) x Kaladena (IRE) (Daylami (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: N Rawiller 58
9
9.2
Military Mission
- 7g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Atlantic Isle (GER) (Tamayuz (GB))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 57.5
10
9.4
Athabascan
- 6g Almanzor (FR) x Alzubra (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton Rdr: J R Collett 56
11
9.6
Star Of India
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Shermeen (IRE) (Desert Style (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: J Ford 55
12
9.7
Trust in You
- 6g Sweynesse (AUS) x Shinko Bay (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: Reece Jones 56
13
10.6
Zeyrek
- 8g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Zerkaza (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: J Parr 56.5
14
11
El Bodegon
- 6g Kodiac (GB) x Al Andalyya (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Wadick 55
15
11.8
Adelaide River
- 5h Australia (GB) x Could It Be Love (USA) (War Front (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 56
16
13.8
Valiant King
- 5g Roaring Lion (USA) x Assembly (USA) (Candy Ride (ARG))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 55
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