Two To Watch - Ballarat

Mark Smith - Tuesday September 3

It seemed like a run of the mill Tuesday meeting on the synthetic at Ballarat, but a three-year old colt by Shooting To Win and a  Toronado (IRE) filly made career debuts that have connections walking on air.

The Philip Stokes stable was expecting a big performance from the Shooting To Win colt Miroku in the 1200 metre maiden and they weren't disappointed.

After looking likely to be caught wide, Ben Allen elected to take a hold of Miroku and he got into a nice trailing position three pairs back.

Advertisement

He was the widest runner coming around the home turn and looked to be treading water for a while but once balanced up he charged home over the last two hundred metres to defeat Lindsey Park's Sidestep colt Surreal Step by half a length with the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Pins colt Yulong Power three and a quarter lengths back in third.


Ben Allen said the stable held the colt in high regard.

"He's always shown ability back at home and it was just a matter of getting him to settle because he is quite hot-headed," Allen said.

"I was quite surprised how well he relaxed because in his trials he had been quite keen."

Phillip Stokes did not try to hide his admiration and has big plans for the Shooting To Win colt.

"He's a lovely horse, really happy to get a winner for (owner) Wylie (Dalziel) and the boys, Stokes said.

They have had to be patient with this horse, he has gone shin-sore then he had a bit of mucous in his throat and we got him right here today.

"I loved the way he relaxed, he's still a colt and did a few things wrong early but he's got a lovely future – let's see if we go the Guineas path."

Purchased by Dalziel Racing/Peter Moody Racing $60,000 out of the Lomar Park draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Miroku is the send foal of the winning Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) mare Ray Of Sun who is a half-sister to Group II Queensland Guineas winner Sir Moments (Choisir).

This is the top-class family of the outstanding filly Princess Talaria, which has been championed, so affectively, in recent years by Gooree Stud.

If Miroku had tongues wagging, it was near euphoria when the Andrew Noblet-trained Toronado filly Backpedal lowered the 1100 metre track record at her career debut by an ever-widening eight lengths.

Jamie Kah had the filly smartly away from an inside barrier and travelling sweetly behind the pace by the long-shot Top Swerve.

Under little urging by Kah, the quick-stepping daughter of Toronado (IRE) cleared away to defeat I Am Invincible gelding Kamien with the Medaglia d'Oro (USA) filly Alasaayel a further three lengths back in third.

Noblet did his best to keep his emotions in check.

"She trialled up well leading into this and she was ready to go," he said.

"The Toronado's were always going to be three-year-olds and she is a well-related filly with a good future.

"We will see how she pulls up but this time of the year there are no easy races so we will pick a nice little ratings race in her age group and go from there."

Purchased by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA)/ Andrew Noblet Racing for $120,000 out of the Sun Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Backpedal (pictured as a yearling ) is a half-sister to the stakes-placegetters Comearoundsundown (Not A Single Doubt) and Creativity (Master Of Design) out of the unraced More Than Ready (USA) mare Voltara who boast a perfect record of six for six.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Spring Goals Await Caloundra Cup Winner Half Yours
With spring staying features on their minds, Tony and Calvin McEvoy sent their improving stayer north to Queensland for Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) with instant success as the 4yo gelding Half Yours romped home by four and a half lengths.
Divine Prophet’s Fortunate Kiss Captures Elusive Black Type Win
With nine top five finishes in previous black type races, it was better late than never as 6yo Divine Prophet mare Fortunate Kiss charged along the inside to win the $300,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday – her first black type victory.
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).
Group 1 Durban July Success For Son Of Australian Bred Gimmethegreenlight
Although not having previously sired a winner of South Africa’s greatest race, the Australian bred, South African-based sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) added a 13th individual Group 1 winner to his record when the Dean Kannemeyer trained The Real Prince (SAF) added Saturday’s R5m Group 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m) to his record.
New Juvenile Stakes-Winner Wootton Bassett
A two year-old Wootton Bassett  colt bred to stay, Daytona made it two wins as many starts when scoring a dominant win in the Listed Pat Smullen Stakes (1m) at Naas in Ireland overnight.
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.
Sixth Winner for Anders
First past the post at Wyong on June 24, talented Anders filly Sapling lost that race on protest, but quickly made amends when returning to the same track on Saturday to score her first actual victory.
New Sprint Star for WA?
Oakland Park's veteran WA sire Sessions is rarely without a good horse to represent him, and the son of Lonhro now has his sixth stakes winner after exciting 3YO galloper Repossession spanked the older horses to win the Listed Beaufine Stakes at Pinjarra Park.
Dubawi Colt from $US8million Mare Wins G1 Coral Eclipse for Coolmore
Blueblood Dubawi colt Delacroix was a beaten favourite in the Group I Epsom Derby when unplaced behind his stablemate Lambourn, but he found his time to shine overnight when scoring a miraculous last to first win in the Group I Coral Eclipse Stakes (1m2f) at Sandown.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 6
Here is the full list of 68 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.