Consistency was rewarded when Belora routed his rivals in the $110,000 Boulder Cup on Wednesday. The Oratorio (Aus) gelding won by the best part of four lengths in record time from Amelias Dancer (Danzero) and Amelia Storm (Stormy’s Son).
Belora (5g Oratorio – Amica Bella by Dr Johnson) had been beaten a short-head by Amelias Dancer in the $100,000 Coolgardie Cup on September 2 but was always travelling like a winner in the second-leg of the Goldfields Triple Crown.
He has raced 12 times for 5 wins and 4 placings since the start of the year and trainer Danny Morton will now send him for a well-deserved spell. The stable will rely on Big Josh (Blackfriars) in the $150,000 Kalgoorlie Cup this Saturday.
The LR Boulder Cup was another triumph for Mungrup Stud. The Sunspeed nursery bred the winner and third placegetter and sold them both at the Perth Magic Millions.
Mungrup owner Gray Williamson kept a share in Belora after he changed hands for $30,000 at the 2009 Perth Magic Millions. Sophie Madrigali, who raced his dam Amica Bella, is also on board along with Premium Bloodstock’s Grant Burns.
“I always liked him as a younger horse,” Williamson recalled. “He’s not overly big but has a lovely hind-quarter and I was happy to stay in when Danny was putting a partnership together.
“He steps up to the plate every time but, at the start of the year, I didn’t think he would be winning a race like the Boulder Cup!”
Oratorio (Aus) celebrated Wednesday’s win by covering the Metal Storm mares Matilda’s Song and Full on Storm. Matilda’s Song is a sister to G1 Railway Stakes winner Old Fashion and Full on Storm is a half-sister to star sprinter Waratah’s Secret (Oratorio).
“We’re looking forward to this season’s two year-olds by Oratorio,” Williamson said. “I think they will be his best crop yet.” Among them is a younger sister to Belora. The filly was purchased by Lindsey Smith for $70,000 at this year’s Perth Magic Millions.
Belora is the seventh stakes winner for Oratorio (Stravinsky) who has sired 86 winners of 199 races at a 51% strike-rate. Mungrup stands him for a $22,000 (inc gst) service fee.
– Karl Patterson
ORATORIO (Aus)