Out of the Wilderness - Baller Strikes First Time Out for Tony Gollan

Mark Smith - Saturday May 8

Winless since September 2019, the lightly raced High Chaparral (IRE) gelding Baller made his first start for Tony Gollan a winning one in Saturday’s Listed Golmarket Quality (1200m) at the Gold Coast.

Baller (image Magic Millions)

Ridden by Glen Boss, Baller defied the brave Racecourse Road (Show A Heart) by a long-neck with Wisdom Of Water (Headwater) three-quarter of a length back in third.

FIfth behind Nature Strip in the 2019 Group 1 The Galaxy at Rosehill when trained by Anthony Cummings, Baller proved frustrating in his five starts for Chris Waller.

The striking 5yo gelding advanced his record to five wins, one second and two thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $363,565.

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609 days since last victory, but Baller produces a blinder to capture the Listed Goldmarket at the Gold Coast: the High Chaparral 5YO’s first stakes victory. Bred & sold by @BaramulStud, Baller was purchased for $160,000 at the 2017 Gold Coast @mmsnippets #ItPaysToBuyAustralian https://t.co/3xhfLUftcZ
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) May 8, 2021

Purchased by Anthony Cummings for $160,000 out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Baller is the best of six winners from seven to race out of the Encosta De Lago mare Fuwa who died in 2017.

The final foal of Fuwa is the 3yo Star Witness gelding Kobestar who finished third at Randwick at his most recent start after finishing last in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas.

Baller becomes the 132^nd stakes-winner for High Chaparral (IRE) who last shuttled in 2014 and died in December that year.

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Race Result - Goldmarket Qlty LR 1200m

Gold Coast Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:10.85

1

Baller

- 5g High Chaparral (IRE) x Fuwa (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))

Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: G Boss 54

2

0.4

Racecourse Road

- 5g Show A Heart (AUS) x Kidnapper (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))

Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: Ron Stewart 56.5

3

1.2

Wisdom Of Water

- 3c Headwater (AUS) x Regal Tier (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))

Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Jye McNeil 54

Headwater

4

1.3

Stampe

- 4g Whittington (AUS) x Envelope (AUS) (Monashee Mountain (USA))

Tnr: Chris Munce Rdr: Craig Williams 54

5

1.5

Westlink

- 6g Casino Prince (AUS) x Comedy Express (AUS) (Rory's Jester (AUS))

Tnr: Darren Hyde Rdr: M R Du Plessis 54

6

4.3

Passage Of Time

- 7g Northern Meteor (AUS) x Crystal Gauntlet (AUS) (Marscay (AUS))

Tnr: A J & T Edmonds Rdr: R Fradd 57

7

4.8

Boomsara

- 5g Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Passara (AUS) (Tsuimai (AUS))

Tnr: Chris Munce Rdr: Justin Huxtable 55.5

8

6.3

Capital Connection

- 7g Denman (AUS) x Solar Verde (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB))

Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: J Byrne 54

9

7.3

Macewen

- 5g Rothesay (AUS) x Gogoreilly (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))

Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: W Pike 54

10

7.8

Elixir

- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Flavoured (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))

Tnr: L D Kelly Rdr: M Cahill 54

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