Fourth Time Lucky for Ball Of Muscle

Mark Smith - Saturday September 15

After three consecutive seconds in the $200,000 Group II The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick, the stars aligned for Ball Of Muscle at Randwick on Saturday.

With the nominal favourite Redzel a race morning scratching, Ball Of Muscle was further aided when fellow speedball Invincible Star missed the start.

Advertisement

Given an uncontested lead, Ball Of Muscle held the challenge of Invincible Star by a half-head with Brave Smash (JPN) doing his best work at the finish, three-quarter of a length back in third. (photo Steve Hart)


Trainer Joe Pride believes the son of Dubawi (IRE) deserves a spot in the $13 million Everest.

"I'm very proud of this horse. He has come back as an eight-year-old and you would have to say he is in career best form," Pride said.

We had a bit of good fortune today, Redzel came out and the filly missed the start but you have Johnny-on-the-spot and that's where this bloke was today and was available to take advantage of the situation.

"We are certainly not ruling the Everest out. He is a live chance and there are horses that might not make it to the race.

"He's a very good horse at Randwick and there is still some improvement in him so we are looking forward to the next month."

With his fifth stakes win, Ball Of Muscle advances his record to 11 wins, 8 seconds and 6 thirds from 35 starts with earnings of $1,124,425.

He is one of four millionaires out of the blue hen Parefore. They include his full brother, the Group 1 Galaxy Stakes winner Tiger Tees and his half-brother the Group 1 Darley Classic winner Terravista who won The Shorts in 2014.

The other two are Singapore Horse Of The Year Super Easy and multiple Listed stakes-winner Our Lukas.

Purchased by Mike and Christine Ryan for $30,000 at a New Zealand broodmare sale, Parfore was honoured as the 2014-15 NZ Broodmare of the Year.

The daughter of Gold Brose died aged 18 at Segenhoe Stud in 2016.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Benbatl Return in Style
Back from a successful Australian campaign where he won the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes and ran Winx to two lengths in the WS Cox Plate, Godolphin’s Benbatl gave a 5-length hiding to the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes runner-up King Of Comedy in Friday’s Group II Shadwell Joel Stakes (1m) at Newmarket.
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.
My Oberon Announces Himself in Crystal Mile
Making his Australian debut, Annabel Neasham’s royally-bred Dubawi gelding My Oberon (IRE) exceeded stable expectations with a dominant performance in Saturday’s Group II Schweppes Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.
Godolphin Imports Fight Out Thrilling Caulfield Stakes
Godolphin threw out a warning that they will be a major player over the Spring Carnival in Melbourne when the imports Benbatl (GB) and Blair House (IRE) fought out a thrilling finish to the $1 million Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
Old Marvel Runs Them Into The Ground Again
Joe Pride’s veteran speedball Ball Of Muscle took up his favoured front-running roll under Craig Williams in Saturday’s Group II Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield and defied all to run him down - nothing could and the son of Dubawi (IRE) earned a sixth stakes win.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Dubawi's Captain Cook Opens His Ausrtralian Account
Previously trained in England by Sir Michael Stoute, Captain Cook (GB) opened his winning account in Australia at his fourth local start in Friday night's Group III JRA Cup at Sandown.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
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.