One to Watch – Ballarat

Tara Madgwick - Monday September 1

An Ole Kirk filly from a famous female family started a short priced favourite at Ballarat on Monday and duly got the cash.

Stormbender salutes at Ballarat - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos

Trained by Archie Alexander and ridden by Declan Bates, Stormbender had one previous start for a fifth behind highly rated Ole Kirk gelding Legacy Bound at Ballarat back in April.

Advertisement

Resuming from a spell over 1200m on the synthetic track, Stormbender was strong all the way to the line forging clear after being challenged to win by more than a length.

Declan Bates has ridden Stormbender in both of her starts and believes there is more to come from the talented filly, who got a little bit hot behind the gates.

“I know her quite well; she's always just been a little bit touchy and she can be a little bit of a madam, but once she's in there (the gates), she's good as gold,” he said.

“We thought she'd be good enough to win today, so it was nice to see her go and do it.

“The plan wasn't even to lead today, but with a couple of scratchings, she began so well and I thought, well, it looks like I'm the leader here.

“We had it nice and easy, so she was going to have her chance from the front, but I think she'd be better with something to chase and over further because she was just floating all the way down the straight.

“She probably didn't beat much today, but she's won with a touch of upside, I think.”

Stormbender and her owners - image Racing Photos

A $150,000 Inglis Premier purchase for his trainer from the Balius Farm draft, Stormbender is a half-sister to good metro winner Kahhof. She is the second winner from Stormcrusher, an unraced half-sister to dual Group I winner Virage de Fortune and grand-daughter of the legendary champion mare Emancipation.

Stormbender is the 19th first crop winner for Ole Kirk and is his fifth of the new season.

The Champion First Crop Sire of last season, he stands at te increased fee of $99,000 at Vinery this spring and is fully booked.

Advertisment

Race Result - Brandt Mdn Plate 1200m

Ballarat Synthetic Track: Synthetic Time: 1:12.71
1
Stormbender
- 3f Ole Kirk (AUS) x Stormcrusher (AUS) (Wanted (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Declan Bates 56
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $150,000
Seller: Balius Farm, Darnum
Buyer: Archie Alexander Racing
2
1.3
Lord Coda
- 3g Zoustar (AUS) x Lady Lupino (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: John Allen 58
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $500,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Widden Valley
Buyer: Ciaron Maher Bloodstock
3
2.3
Belle Flamme
- 3f Rubick (AUS) x Champagne Ruby (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: Neil Farley 56
4
2.3
Angelos
- 3f All Too Hard (AUS) x Alma's Angel (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Noblet Rdr: H Coffey 56
5
2.7
Popthebubbly
- 3f Nicconi (AUS) x Miss Hedy (AUS) (Americain (USA))
Tnr: Brady Cross Rdr: Sarah Field 54.5
6
7.5
Bagpipes
- 3g Proisir (AUS) x Scottish Star (NZ) (Bullbars (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: E J Walsh 58
More Reading...
Seeking Slipper Success? Seek Sejardan
The Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes - the world's richest juvenile event and Australia's premier test of juvenile speed.
Third Trial Winner for Home Affairs – This Time New Zealand
Hot on the heels of siring two trial winners at Randwick on Monday at the official Sydney 2YO trials, Home Affairs produced an impressive trial winner at Te Rapa in New Zealand on Tuesday.
Tara Talks Racing - Trials and Racing
This week we’re talking trials after an insightful set of official 2YO trials in Sydney, plus some racing and how Fangirl will eventually go to stud with two Group I wins less on her resume than there should be.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
2025 G1 Golden Rose Field and Barrier Draw
Godolphin filly Tempted will take on eight colts in a nine horse Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday where she retains favouritism after drawing barrier eight.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 23
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First trial success for Sword Of State
Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State was represented by an impressive trial winner when State Of Valour coasted to victory in his two-year-old heat over 730m at Te Rapa on Tuesday.
Well Bred Wootton Bassett Ready to Win
Regally bred colt Lydiard Park will have conditions more in his favour on Wednesday to add performance to his pedigree.
Wootton Bassett Sad Passing
Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s great sires, has sadly passed away today at Coolmore Australia.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 22
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.