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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisment

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
More Reading...
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.