The
2200 metre maiden at Ballarat on Friday had six runners entered for either the Victoria
Derby or Oaks and the winner is certainly bred to be a serious Derby contender.
Sent out a short priced favourite, the Danny O’Brien trained Reliable Man (Fr) colt
Grinzinger Star produced a good tough staying effort to win by a short neck
over High Chaparral (IRE) filly Zapurler, who showed her Oaks credentials with
a strong finish to just miss.
It was the first win in four starts for Grinzinger Star, who has placed third
at his two most recent runs indicating he’s on an upward spiral
Not offered at auction, Grinzinger Star is the first winner for Group I New
Zealand Oaks winner Artistic, a half-sister by Darci Brahma to Group I winner
Excellerator.
Reliable Man had the second place-getter in the Victoria Derby last year in Sully,
so it will be no surprise to see Grinzinger Star at Flemington on Derby Day.