Melbourne trainer Troy Corstens bred WA-conceived galloper Awesome Lineup to win at Cranbourne on Friday night and he’s already plotting Perth campaigns with stable stars The Astrologist (Zoustar) and Baraqiel (Snitzel).
Corstens prepared Awesome Lineup to an Ararat maiden win earlier this year but sold him to former Kiwi trainer Joe Waldron for $3,500 at the Inglis September (Late) Digital Sale. “He’s only been in the stable a couple of weeks and has slotted straight into our program,” Waldron said after he surprised the stable at $31.
“I can’t take too much of the credit because he came here in perfect order but I thought a mile would be too short tonight. He looks like stretching out past 2000m so I guess this is a bonus.”
Awesome Lineup (4g Awesome Rock – Royal Lineup by Viscount) was poised to strike under Luke Cartright and he put the race to bed with a winning turn of foot to score by a half-length from Howlin’ Rain (Fiorente).
“This bloke is a cool character at home,” Waldron added “He was strong through the line and it’s fantastic to kick-off with a win. Pakenham is a great place to keep them fresh and he’s thriving.”
Waldron, 33, crossed the Tasman after a stint as travelling foreman for Kiwi trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman who entrusted him with the Australian campaigns of multiple Group 1 winners Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor) and Turn Me Loose (Iffraaj).
“He looked the best horse coming into the yard,” Cartright said. “Joey took all the gear off and he jumped well. I followed the favourite and it was a good win.”
Leon and Troy Corstens prepared his sire Awesome Rock (Fastnet Rock) to a Group 1 victory in the VRC Emirates Stakes (2000m) for a partnership that included Gold Front Thoroughbreds owners Alan and Sue Olive.
The Flemington trainers sent Royal Lineup to the west to be a part of Awesome Rock’s third book at Gold Front. She had been a 3yo winner at Randwick and Canterbury and was a proven producer of six winners.
Awesome Rock started this season with feature winners Searchin’ Roc’s (LR Idyllic Prince Stakes), Zaza Rock (Toodyay Cup) and Rokanori (TABtouch Stakes). He stands for an $8,800 (inc GST) service fee at Gold Front alongside Leonardo Da Hinchi at $4,400 (inc GST).
For bookings or more information, contact Sue Olive 0417 937 606.
Hoofnote: Awesome Lineup’s former stablemates The Astrologist and Baraqiel hold Ascot nominations for the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on November 30 and G3 Gold Rush (1400m) on December 14.