One to Watch – Ballarat

Tara Madgwick - Thursday October 17

This three year-old son of Trapeze Artist was a popular winner at Ballarat on Thursday going two for two to the great delight of his trainer Charlotte Littlefield and his big group of happy owners.

Big Swinger bolts in at Ballarat - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos

Big Swinger won on debut at Ballarat last month over 1200m with Craig Williams in the saddle and he was keen to stick with the t alented gelding for his second start over the same course in a Class 1.

Advertisement

The result was the same, but even better with Big Swinger opening up to win by nearly four lengths as a short priced favourite.

“I was confident leading up to the race as I knew we had a good horse and he’s come on so well from the first up run,” said Charlotte Littlefield.

“He still showed a little bit of greenness in that running, so there is plenty more to come from him. It’s just a big relief to get that second win on the board with him.

“They’re only three once and when they win like that you probably have to come to town and this time of year and there are a couple of nice options.”

The Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m at Flemington is a possibility with Littlefield and her owners set to weigh up those options after consultation with Craig Williams.

Big Swinger has plenty of happy owners - image Pat Scala/ Racing Photos

A $180,000 Magic Millions purchase from Arrowfield Stud for Hayfields Racing/Intel Bloodstock, Big Swinger is a three-quarter brother to multiple Group winner Sylvia’s Mother. He is the fourth winner from five to race from metro winning Bel Esprit mare Found The One, a full sister to Group I winner Bel Mer, the dam of this season’s Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Bel Merci.

Trapeze Artist is the leading third crop sire by winners and had a double on Thursday with Trapeze Pleasure also successful at Hawkesbury. He stands at Widden this spring at a fee of $55,000.

Advertisment

Race Result - Hertz Hcp (C1) 1200m

Ballarat Track: Good(4) Time: 1:13.02
1
Big Swinger
- 3g Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Found The One (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: Charlotte Littlefield Rdr: Craig Williams 57
2
3.8
Treat Him Right
- 3g Written By (AUS) x Reciprocity (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: E J Walsh 56.5
3
7
Flying Knee
- 5g Rubick (AUS) x I'm A Flying Star (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: Reece Goodwin Rdr: Beau Mertens 55.5
4
9.8
Porter
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Prana (FR) (Siyouni (FR))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Ben Allen 58
5
12.8
Wild Pharaoh
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x Wild Horizon (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: H Coffey 55
6
15.3
Book Launch
- 7g Smart Missile (AUS) x Novel Dancer (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: J G McArthur Rdr: Tayla Childs 54
More Reading...
Wrote Continues to Deliver for Highview Stud
Wrote is enjoying another standout season, with results flowing both on the racetrack and in the sales ring.
Asakura Confirmed for NZB Kiwi
The NZB Kiwi is set to have direct Australian involvement with the announcement on Wednesday that Ozzie Kheir has selected the Mitch Freedman-trained Asakura for his slot in the $4 million Champions Day feature.
Big Swinger to Star for Trapeze Artist
With six winners in the past week including a metro double at Sandown on Wednesday, Trapeze Artist is finding his winning groove with exciting three year-old Big Swinger making a brilliant return at Pakenham last night for the in form Charlotte Littlefield stable.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday February 17
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Strong Early Feedback on Mr Mozart
The first foals by Mr Mozart are on the ground, and the reports from breeders have been overwhelmingly positive.
Blue Diamond Passport to Stud Career
A colt that wins the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is invariably offered a chance at a commercial stud career and champion sires Redoute’s Choice and Extreme Choice have set the bar high in that regard.
First Season Sires Add Excitement to Perth Magic Millions
The West Australian breeding ranks were boosted in 2023 by the arrival of three superbly bred stallions – Aysar (Deep Field), Lightsaber (Zoustar) and Marine One (Capitalist) – and the trio have strong representation at the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale which kicks off on Thursday.
One to Watch – Kembla
The famed colours of Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Stud were in the winner’s circle at Kembla on Tuesday carried by a well bred daughter of Savabeel.
Herald Sun Caulfield Charity Family Day Draws Biggest Crowd in Over a Decade
Herald Sun Caulfield Charity Family Day recorded its highest attendance in more than a decade on Saturday, with 9,438 racegoers attending Caulfield for the Melbourne Racing Club’s flagship community race day.
2026 G1 Oakleigh Plate Field and Barrier Draw
The Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday is the second of the major autumn sprints in Melbourne and race favourite Point Barrow did not get the ideal barrier, drawing 10 in the final field of 14.