One to Watch – Ballarat

Tara Madgwick - Friday October 12
The 2200 metre maiden at Ballarat on Friday had six runners entered for either the Victoria Derby or Oaks and the winner is certainly bred to be a serious Derby contender.

Reliable ManSent out a short priced favourite, the Danny O’Brien trained Reliable Man (Fr) colt Grinzinger Star produced a good tough staying effort to win by a short neck over High Chaparral (IRE) filly Zapurler, who showed her Oaks credentials with a strong finish to just miss.

It was the first win in four starts for Grinzinger Star, who has placed third at his two most recent runs indicating he’s on an upward spiral

Not offered at auction, Grinzinger Star is the first winner for Group I New Zealand Oaks winner Artistic, a half-sister by Darci Brahma to Group I winner Excellerator.

Reliable Man had the second place-getter in the Victoria Derby last year in Sully, so it will be no surprise to see Grinzinger Star at Flemington on Derby Day.
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sixth SW For Castelvecchio
A winner of three of his first four starts before stepping up to black type racing the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Castelvecchio colt Shangri La Spring appreciated the step up to 2000m, to take out the Group 3 ATC Frank Packer Plate.
Westbury Stud Celebrate a Second Oaks Winner for Reliable Man
Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man has had an incredible run this past week, led by his all-conquering daughter Miami Bound who won the Group II Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday, before her dominant victory in the Group I VRC Oaks (2500m) at the Melbourne track on Thursday.
Oaks Winner Back to Best
Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Sentimental Miss returned to her best with a quality staying performance to take out the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m).
More Stakes Success for King Kapa
A stable favourite with the Tony Gollan yard, six year-old Capitalist gelding King Kapa is always in the mix somewhere in his races and managed to get his head in front at Eagle Farm on Saturday to take out the $160,000 Listed BRC Ascot Quality (1000m).
Karaka Million Goal for Reliable Man Filly
Promising two-year-old De La Terre will look to improve on the family record in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) after she looked to have cemented her place in the million dollar feature with a comfortable victory over 1000m at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Tarzino Stayer Salutes at Mornington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained four-year-old Immediacy was back in the winner’s circle with a strong win in the Enchanted Adventure Handicap (2000m) at Mornington on Saturday.
Helsinge Family Strikes Again in G1 Champagne
From a clear last at the top of the straight to what seemed an unlikely first at the winning post, exciting Brutal colt Nepotism produced a scintillating performance to win the $1million Group I ATC Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Justify Filly Wins G3 James Carr
Quality Justify (USA) filly Lilac has been knocking on the door of a stakes win during the autumn and got the job done at Randwick on Saturday capturing the $250,000 Group III ATC James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).
Spirit Of Boom Brings Up 30th Stakes Winner
Off the back of a last start 1200m victory at Eagle Farm, Tony Gollan’s 3yo gelding Boomtown Boss stepped up to 1400m for the first time in his career, taking out the Listed BRC Daybreak Lover to become the 30th stakes winner for Eureka Stud’s Spirit Of Boom.
Kiwi Skyhawk wins G3 Trelawney Stud Championship
Kiwi Skyhawk’s last-gasp thriller in the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday delivered a milestone result for his trainer Stephen Marsh.