Sydney, August 20 – Promising Redoute’s Choice colt Stalingrad shook off maiden status with a powerful win at the metro meeting at Gosford on Wednesday, revelling in a step up to 1600 metres.
A $700,000 purchase from the Yarraman Park draft at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Stalingrad was beaten narrowly on debut behind smart type Predatory Pricer at Kembla on August 6, but made amends at his second appearance with the addition of blinkers.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman, the Tim Martin trained colt overcame a muddling pace to score his first win by a long head, prompting trainer Tim Martin to announce plans to tackle better company.
“We always thought he’d need to get over a bit of ground and he’s done that today,” said Martin.
“I’ve got the Gloaming Stakes (Group Three) in mind for him and there are no suitable races between now and then so he’ll probably go straight into it without another run.”
Bred by Yarraman Park, who also retained a share in the colt, Stalingrad is the third foal and third winner for the Kingmambo mare Sakhalin (USA), a daughter of US Group Two winner Special Happening and a half-sister to the dam of US Group One winner Sudan.
Later in the day Inspired Choice made it a double for Yarraman Park sold horses when he saluted for Rick Worthington in the Ratings 75 event over 1200 metre.
A four year-old gelding by Falvelon from Awe Inspiring, Inspired Choice fetched $170,000 for Yarraman Park at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale and has won three races and placed second twice from just six starts.
Another Yarraman Park bred horse in the winner’s circle was General Albert, who scored in the Class Four event over 1200 metres at Doomben for Jerome Hunter, who purchased the son of Magic Albert for just $30,000 at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale in Adelaide when offered by Kelso Bloodstock as agent for Yarraman.
From Group Three winner Lusso, General Albert has been a good performer in winning close to $125,000 in prizemoney.
