Track specialist Hopfgarten celebrated his return to Eagle Farm by demolishing 16 opponents in Saturday's $100,000 Listed
With the regular rider Damian Browne giving the 5yo son of Mossman a positive ride from an outside barrier, Hopfgarten came clear in the straight to defeat Pajaro (Align) by two and a half lengths with Amovatio (Al Maher) back in third. (photos Steve Hart).
It was the fifth stakes win for the Robert Heathcote-trained gelding advancing his overall record to 11 wins, 5 starts and 2 thirds from 39 starts for earnings of $598,700.
Robert Heathcote said the grand money spinner was happy to be back at Eagle farm after having no luck at his previous start.
"Damian seized the initiative today and once he was cruising along outside the leader I was pretty confident," Heathcote said.
"His run two weeks ago (Group III Lord Mayors' Cup) was super, he never had a lot of luck.
"It's good to be back, congratulations to the club, it's been a tough couple of years for everyone concerned but we're here today, the sun's shining and it's a super day's racing."
Purchased by bloodstock agent Paul Willetts for $26,000 from the Enterprise Stud draft at the 2012 Magic Millions National Yearling sale, Hopfgarten is the second foal of the unraced O'Reilly mare Black Tourmaline whose dam Lei Lark (Kinjite) is a half-sister to Group III winner Forest Jim (Grosvenor).
Lei Lark's
Black Tourmaline has an unnamed 3yo colt by Excites however, she has not been covered for the past three seasons.
