One to Watch – Ballarat

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday August 19

Ole Kirk and Farnan are two of the hottest young sires in the Hunter Valley and both had a new winner on Tuesday with one of those winners being our ‘One to Watch’.

Starfleet Command wins at Ballarat - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos

The Gary Colvin trained Farnan gelding Party Boss broke through to win at Albury at his sixth start as favourite improving on a last start second, but it was the Robert Hickmott trained Ole Kirk colt Starfleet Command that caught our eye racing clear for an easy debut win at Ballarat.

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Sent off as favourite in the 1400m maiden, Starfleet Command loomed into contention out wide when turning for home and ran right through the line to win by two and a half lengths for Harry Coffey.

Robert Hickmott revealed Starfleet Command was a work in progress and would take benefit  from the run although at times he admitted he would have liked to geld the talented colt.

“He’s a well bred horse and I can understand the ownership group wanting to keep him a colt,” he said.

“His grand-dam won the Magic Millions and his dam was second in it, so he could be a valuable commodity going forward, although he’s going to stick on as I see him more as a miler plus so we look forward to his future.

“He’s a beautiful looking animal, a cracking type. Today was a good learning curve and they can often springboard off that, so hopefully we will see bigger and better things from him.”

Starfleet Command has a big group of happy owners - image Racing Photos

Passed in twice as a weanling and yearling, Starfleet Command was retained to race and runs for a big syndicate headed by Darren Dance’s ATB Bloodstock.

He is a half-brother to Group II winner Comrade Rosa being the sixth winner from eight foals to race from stakes-winning Redoute’s Choice mare No Looking Back.

Starfleet Command is the 17th first crop winner for Ole Kirk and is his third from seven runners this season.

Ole Kirk is fully booked at a fee of $99,000 at Vinery Stud this spring.

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Race Result - Manhari Mdn Plate 1400m

Ballarat Synthetic Track: Synthetic Time: 1:26.26
1
Starfleet Command
- 3c Ole Kirk (AUS) x No Looking Back (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: H Coffey 57
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Holbrook Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW
Buyer: Passed In - Reserve: $100,000
Inglis Australian Weanling Sale $0
Seller: Holbrook Thoroughbreds, Scone
Buyer: Passed in - $ 80,000
2
2.5
Call Me Phil
- 4g Crackerjack King (IRE) x Zakayla (GB) (Aqlaam (GB))
Tnr: Damien Hunter Rdr: R J Hurdle 59.5
3
6.3
Shay's Way
- 5m Puissance De Lune (IRE) x Barely A Scent (AUS) (Barely A Moment (AUS))
Tnr: W Morrissey Rdr: John Allen 57.5
4
8.8
Ziggy Plays Guitar
- 4g Written By (AUS) x Sunday Rose (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Richard Cully Rdr: Declan Bates 59.5
5
10
Lady Of Steel
- 7m Adelaide (IRE) x Lady Searcy (AUS) (Danerich (AUS))
Tnr: Shay Keating Rdr: Jarrod Fry 57.5
6
11.8
Rouge Eclair
- 6m Palentino (AUS) x Blue Ash (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Warren Cochrane Rdr: Ms C Puls 57.5
7
14.8
I'm A Delight
- 7m Lago Delight (AUS) x Huka's Image (AUS) (Southern Image (USA))
Tnr: Jamie Barry Rdr: Ms A Herrmann 57.5
8
16.8
Dare To Be Bold
- 5g Boulder City (AUS) x Good And Hot (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: B & A McKnight Rdr: C Atkinson 59.5
9
17.1
Starchino
- 5m Starcraft (NZ) x Baldachino (AUS) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: Ricky Pike Rdr: J Webb 57.5
10
22.1
Cadroni
- 4g Thronum (AUS) x Cadet Roni (USA) (Colonel John (USA))
Tnr: Julie Scott Rdr: Sarah Field 58
11
32.1
Too Grande
- 4g Magna Grecia (IRE) x Poetic Diva (AUS) (Poet's Voice (GB))
Tnr: Brady Cross Rdr: Jack Hill 59.5
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