Ability Spoils the Party for Lankan Rupee in Bletchingly Stakes

Mark Smith - Sunday August 6

Fans let out a roar when former Horse Of The Year Lankan Rupee hit the front 250 metres out in Sunday's $150,000 Group III Bletchingly Stakes at Sandown but out of the corner of the eye, the red, white and blue silks of the in form Reward For Effort gelding Ability were looming large.

Making his first start since finishing fourth in the Group I Darley Classic last spring, Lankan Rupee was striving for his first win since the Group I Lightning Stakes in February 2015.

But he could not hold the challenge of the hard fit Ability as the pair put three lengths on the chasing pack.  

With Dwayne Dunn in the saddle, Ability made it four wins on the trot, collaring fan favourite Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice) in the closing stages to win by a long-neck with Duke Of Brunswick (Magnus) three and a half lengths back in third.


Ability had earned his maiden stakes win at his previous start in the Listed All Victorian Sprint Final (1200m) at Flemington.

It has been a meteoric rise for the 5yo gelding who looked exposed as something well short of stakes class at three.

Just as it did for Lankan Rupee, a gelding operation has transformed Ability.

He won four of his six starts last season.

Carrying the colours of the late Phil Sly, the Robert Smerdon-trained gelding advances his record to 7 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds from 16 starts with earnings of $369,000.

"I was in a bit of trouble there, he just didn't step that well and they came across me," Dunn said

"Tashbeeh pulled back in my face and put me in a very awkward spot. "I just had to take my medicine. The outside of the track is playing a bit better and I wanted to get there. Just at the 600 he floundered and dipped, he didn't handle the track that well until he balanced up.

"To carry weight like that, the 1200 was a question mark but I think he has put that behind him today.

"We've always had a big opinion of this horse, the gelding operation had to be done but that's turned him into a racehorse.

"Robert has placed him beautifully. He's coming through the grades - it's early in the spring but hopefully, he is the new kid on the block.

"Phil Sly was such a good supporter of mine and it's great to see his colours live on."   

Consigned to the 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Yallambee Stud, Ability (pictured as a yearling) was knocked down to Matchem Racing for $150,000.

He is the third foal of the Dubai Destination mare Paeroa a half-sister to Group II winner Well Rounded (Reset) from the family of Campanologist (Kingmambo), Glorious Song (Halo), Singspiel (In The Wings) and Rahy (Blushing Groom).

Paeroa has a 2yo colt by Sebring named April Sun In Cuba who was bred by Peter Moody and sold for $160,000 to Henry Dwyer at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

At last year's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Paeroa was sold to Hancock Quality Bloodstock for $70,000. She has a weanling colt by Helmet and was bred back to Reset last spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.