What a terrific galloper Ustinov's Fury has been, the tough and talented son of Moorookyle Park's Ustinov winning nine races over five seasons of racing, amassing over $230,000 in prize money.
And his latest success is his most impressive to date, the Shane Oxlade trained gelding on Sunday racing away to a stunning 6 3/4 length victory in the Strathalbyn Cup.
Doing a great job stepping up quickly from 1400m to 2053m, the bay headed straight to the front and from there was always in command - getting clear from well before the turn and extending his lead down the straight.
"He left them standing... a brilliant in the Strathalbyn Cup," enthused race caller Terry McAuliffe.
Shane Oxlade was understandably delighted in winning his home town Cup with one of his favourite horses, one he describes as "a cracking horse!"
"He is just so tough and he never stops, he just keeps going."
Which is exactly what he did on Sunday, having his rivals off the bit a long way from home and charging to the line.
"I wasn't worried about the step up in distance," Oxlade said, "as I have always been confident that he would run out a strong 2000m."
Running a cheeky race - giving a kick at the 300m only to be run down late - over 1400m at Morphettville at his previous start, Ustinov's Fury had dropped back from 1700m with a lack of suitable races on the calendar for him.
But he is a horse who just doesn't know how to run a bad race regardless of the trip and he has won over a variety of distances from 1100m upwards.
With races like the Port Lincoln Cup and the Alice Springs Cup in mind for Ustinov's Fury, Oxlade has plenty to look forward to.
Ustinov's Fury is typical of the Ustinov breed - durable, tough, sound , reliable.
Another good example is another recent country cup winner; Use The Lot who in late December raced away to an easy all the way victory in the Penshurst Cup.
"Despite never receiving the best of opportunities Ustinov has proven himself an excellent source of winners," Moorookyle's Nioka Wozny said, noting that 11.6% of Ustinov's winners are stakes performed.
One of the best looking
stallions you could see, Ustinov is a particuarly classy and imposing horse -
something not missed on the breeders of Trakehner horses who have sent their
mares to him.
With a closed stud book open only to pure bred Trakehners and those crossed with thoroughbreds, the standards for breeders are high and those who inspected Ustinov were impressed by his superior conformation.
And all the more impressed by the quality of foals he has produced for them - "they are rapt!" Wozny said.
Meanwhile Ustinov's daughters are starting to do the job as broodmares, enjoying great results at the recent Magic Millions - a son of the stakes placed Miss Sharapova fetching $320,000 whilst a colt out of two times winner Quack It was sold for $240,000.
Whilst always happy to welcome more mares to Ustinov, her main aim with the horse is to give him the best possible life, the Group Two winning 18-year-old a real favourite at Moorookyle - "I just love him!"
For further information on Ustinov contact Nioka Wozny on 0427 456 385 or visit him online at: www.moorookylepark.com.auand https://www.facebook.com/groups/429893287107148/
