Sun Stud’s Magnus started the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington on a winning note when his progressive sprinter Kemalpasa made light of the wet conditions to score a stylish win in the Group II VRC Linlithgow Stakes (1200m), a race won by his sire back in 2006 when it was known as The Age Classic.
Trained in Adelaide by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, Kemalpasa has been in great form this preparation winning five of his six starts since July before coming to Flemington.
A last start winner of the Listed SAJC Durbridge Stakes, Kemalpasa was again partnered by Jake Toeroek and surged clear at the finish to win by more than a length.
“He’s gone through his grades this preparation and just keeps stepping up,” said Jake Toeroek.
“He’s such an honest bugger, he just pins his ears back and keeps trying, I love him to death.”
A $140,000 Magic Millions purchase for co-trainer Richard Jolly from the Kulani Park draft, Kemalpasa runs for well known owner Neville Morgan, who will have a runner in the $7.5million Golden Eagle at Rosehill later today in Kolding who won the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap.
Kemalpasa has a great record with nine wins and seven placings from 22 starts with prizemoney in excess of $467,000.
Kemalpasa is the first foal of Yarra Bank, a half-sister by Bianconi (USA) to stakes-winner Honest Politician. Yarra Bank also has a two year-old and a yearling colt, both by Magnus.
The sire of 20 stakes-winners Magnus stands at Sun Stud at a fee of $16,500.