One to Watch – Ballarat

Tara Madgwick - Friday October 12
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.

Reliable ManSent 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.
Advertisment
More Reading...
Hong Kong Summed Up - Dec 22 - Brave Smash Winning Double
A double for Brave Smash, including a new winner, also new winners for Hellbent and Kermadec, and three yearling catalogue updates amongst seven Australasian bred winners at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Reliable Man Best Still to Come
The impressive Group I VRC Oaks (2500m) victory of three-year-old filly Miami Bound, who became the second Group One winner for sire Reliable Man, has been the highlight of a stunning ten-day period for the Westbury Stud-based stallion.
Promising New Winner for Black Caviar
The racing and bloodstock world were saddened earlier this year following  the passing of undefeated world champion sprinter Black Caviar and her memory was recalled at Wangaratta on Monday when her three year-old filly Persian Caviar made a winning debut.
Little Brose to Stand at Little Avondale
Arguably there is no better stallion making race in Australasia than Victoria's only Gr.1 event for two-year-olds, the Blue Diamond Stakes, and when you add the hottest bloodline in the Southern Hemisphere to the mix, you have an exciting stallion prospect. 
Brave Smash Winning Double Hong Kong
The Sha Tin meeting on Sunday produced some great  results for the Yarraman sires with Brave Smash (Jpn) posting a winning double and Hellbent siring a promising new three year-old winner.
2024 Favourite Foal Winner
Firstly we’d like to thank everyone for taking an interest in our foal gallery and supporting their favourites, but there was always a sentimental top pick for many and the most famous foal in the country has now won his first race!
Oaks Winner Back to Best
Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Sentimental Miss returned to her best with a quality staying performance to take out the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m).
Vale, Don Goodwin
Don Goodwin, the breeder of 11-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant, has passed away, aged 86.
Four MM Lead Ups for Icarian Dream - what are the stats?
Two-year-old filly Icarian Dream’s win in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday will see her head into the Magic Millions 2YO Classic having had four starts before year’s end, which might seem a lot in this day and age – but is it? We’ve had a look.
Westbury Stud Celebrate a Second Oaks Winner for Reliable Man
Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man has had an incredible run this past week, led by his all-conquering daughter Miami Bound who won the Group II Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday, before her dominant victory in the Group I VRC Oaks (2500m) at the Melbourne track on Thursday.