High Chaparral 3YO Wins Geelong Classic

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday October 24
The late great High Chaparral (IRE) already has the favourite for the Group I VRC Victoria Derby in Thinkin' Big and will also have a live second stringer in Home Ground, who scored a good tough win in the Listed Geelong Classic on Wednesday.

Home Ground as a yearlingPrepared by renowned trainer of stayers John Sargent, Home Ground was a Breednet 'One to Watch' when winning at Wyong as a two year-old and was subsequently not disgraced when finishing fifth to The Autumn Sun in the Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes.

A last start eighth in the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes, Home Ground appreciated firmer ground and a step up in distance to 2200 metres, powering to the line to nose out Frankel colt Farooq, who led for most of the trip and fought bravely to the line.

"We thought this race would suit him," said John Sargent.

"He was only four or five lengths off Gai and Adrian's colt (Thinkin' Big) last start and he's favourite for the Derby.

"He's a grinding stayer and he's bred to see the trip out. He'll go straight into the Derby now."

The 121st stakes-winner worldwide for High Chaparral, Home Ground has won three races from eight starts earning over $100,000 in prizemoney.

A $420,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Apollo Ng from the Coolmore draft, Home Ground was bred by Kerry and Jenny Pooley and foaled and raised at Coolmore (pictured below as a foal). 



He is from the last crop of foals by High Chaparral and is the first winner for smart Danehill Dancer (IRE) winner First Look, a full sister to stakes-winner Danehill Smile.

First Look has a yearling filly by So You Think and was covered last spring by Pierro.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pride’s Outsider Estadio Mestalla Wins Winter Stakes
The lone stakes race on Rosehill’s ten-race card on Saturday saw Joe Pride’s race outsider Estadio Mestalla (Galileo Gold) take out the $200,000 Listed ATC Winter Stakes (1400m) in a boilover.
Toronado Winner Sign of Things to Come
So You Think and Dundeel have set a high standard for sire sons of the late Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral (IRE) with Swettenham Stud’s Toronado (IRE) also showing the promise of good things to come after making a strong start to the new season with his fifth winner since August 1 at Sale on Thursday.
Flemington Victory for Tarzino Mare
Quirky but talented mare Miss Tarzy has come from last win the Leilani Series Final (1400m) under a patient Jett Stanley ride.
Sweet Redemption for Stable Favourite Jimmy the Bear
Patrick and Michelle Payne enjoyed a red letter day at Flemington on Saturday with their rising star Buccleuch winning the Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final and then later in the day stable favourite Jimmy the Bear won the Listed VRC Winter Championship Series Final (1600m).
Kiwi Bred Good Banter Finds Winning Form
Four-year-old mare Good Banter was back in the winner’s circle when narrowly prevailing in the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
Marble Nine Brings Up Second SW For Aquis Sire Kobayashi
The withdrawal of the top weight in Saturday’s $175,000 Listed VRC Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington saw the field down to just six, with Marble Nine continuing his outstanding recent form to secure his first black type victory.
High Chaparral's Mississippi Delta From Last to First in Perth Cup
The late, great Coolmore stallion High Chaparral (IRE) may have celebrated more prestigious wins in his glittering career but Saturday was a real financial windfall for the son of Sadler’s Wells.
Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz Wins A.R. Creswick Stakes
While many felt the winner of Saturday’s Listed $175,000 VRC A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m) had raced two weeks prior in the Shop Flemington Handicap (1100m) – and they would’ve been correct – but it was not the result many punters felt it would be!
Stampede Runs Then Into The Ground in Colin Stephen
Stampede has been out of the winner’s circle since October last year but when the son of High Chaparral (IRE) is gifted an easy run in front, as he did in Saturday’s Group III Colin Stephen Stakes (2400m) at Randwick, he proves very difficult to get by.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 5
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.