Irish jockey Declan Bates and Warrnambool trainer Daniel Bowman celebrated their first Group 1 successes when the $26,000 yearling Begood Toya Mother captured Saturday's $500,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
It's been a rapid rise to the top for the 5yo gelded son of Myboycharlie (IRE) who reeled off six consecutive wins between March and August culminating in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield.
The sequence was broken at his most recent start when he finished sixth in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at WFA three weeks ago.
He carried seven kilos on Saturday and after leading early before getting a trail behind Iconoclasm.
Sent to the front soon after turning for home, Begood Toya Mother gave nothing else a chance to defeat Age Of Chivalry ($15) by one and a quarter lengths with Widgee Turf ($14) the same distance back in third. (images Grant Courtney )
"When he won at Sandown (in April) he put the writing on the wall that he was the type of horse that fitted the profile for this race so that's when we put the plan in motion to get here," Bowman said.
"When a long-range plan comes off, it's fulfilling. It's a relief now but I'm sure in a couple of hours time it will start to sink in."
It was an emotional Bates who had to work hard to get down to 52kgs.
"I was surprised how easily he did it in the end to be honest," Bates said.
"Just credit to Daniel and his staff, he just keeps improving this horse, mentally more than anything.
"He was a bit tricky so they've done a massive job just to help him mature and produce him for the big day."
Purchased by his trainer for $28,000 out of the Donnybrook Estates draft at the 2016 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Begood Toya Mother advances his record to 8 wins and 1 second from 13 starts with earnings of $599,040.
He is the seventh foal and fifth winner out of the winning Kaapstad mare Lady Of Helena who is a half-sister to the Group 1 STC Canterbury Guineas and Group 1 Waikato Draught Sprint winner Western Red (Spectacular Love).
Lady of Helena was purchased for just $600 at the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale. She has an unraced 3yo gelding by Sidestep and a 2yo colt by Casino Prince, which was her last foal as she was retired in 2017.
Begood Toya Mother follows the triple Group 1 winner Jameka and the ATC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Peggy Jean as winners at the highest level in Australia for Myboycharlie (IRE) who shuttled for nine seasons, the final in 2017.
