Oaklands Stud freshman Ferocity maintained his impressive strike-rate with a winning double at Ipswich on Friday and Doomben on Saturday.

Mieko’s Diamond (2f Ferocity – Sharp by Danzero) scored a first-up victory in the Mack Trucks Brisbane Hcp (800m) and she also earned a QTIS bonus into the bargain at Ipswich.

Within 24 hours, Gentle Giant (2g Ferocity – Decent Girl by Centaine) completed a winning hat-trick in the Gaythorne RSL Hcp (1110m) at Doomben.

Mieko’s Diamond flew home between runners to prevail in a three-way photo-finish at Ipswich.  Gold Coast trainer Johnny Wallace bought her for $85,000 as a foal from Southern Cross Breeders at the 2008 Magic Millions National weanling sale.

“I thought she was a good thing,” Wallace said.  “She was caught wide outside the leaders last time in Brisbane so we gave her a short spell and this time in she’s really improved.”

Wallace owns Mieko’s Diamond and his son Brad kept all the prizemoney in the family when he rode the filly to victory.  The promising apprentice reckons there are more wins in store for the Ferocity filly.  “I knew she was a great chance going on her work,” he explained.  “She’s going to be a pretty good horse and will only get over a bit more ground.”

Ferocity got the filly from G2 AJC Light Fingers Stakes winner Sharp.  The mare was in the news recently when her Encosta de Lago colt made $300,000 to top the Magic Millions National weanling sale.  

Wallace has enjoyed a stellar season with Magic Millions graduates.  He prepares G1 AJC Australian Derby winner Shoot Out who was a $15,000 buy at the Gold Coast.  The champion colt will commence a Cox Plate – Melbourne Cup campaign in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on July 31.

Gentle Giant is another Ferocity youngster with a future.  His is trained by Jason McLachlan and has really bloomed since winning his maiden at Sunshine Coast on June 18.

He made headlines next time out with an emotional win in the Bruce McLachlan Classic at Caloundra on July 3.  The race was named after Jason’s father who died 12 months ago.  And Gentle Giant was named after Big Bruce because of his hulking size and endearing personality.

“Gentle Giant was very ordinary early on,” Jason McLachlan said after the Classic.  “But I never lost the faith in him.”

Gentle Giant lumped 58kg to win at Doomben on Saturday and he was helped by a classic ride from Bruce McLachlan’s former apprentice Eddie Wilkinson.  After settling in the box seat, the big grey collared Why So Expensive in the closing stages to score by a length.

Gentle Giant is bred to get over longer trips next season.  His dam Decent Girl is a NZ bred mare who won 5 races up to a mile and she was also G3 placed in the Easter Cup at Riccarton.   

Ferocity won the Ascot Vale Stakes at Flemington before it was elevated to Group 1 status and he also claimed the Magic Millions 2yo Classic in Adelaide.  He is a son of Australian champion sire Lion Hunter who was based at Oaklands until his premature death in February 2002.

Ferocity is a brother to the Group winning fillies Leone Chiara and Chinchilla Rose.  Leone Chiara is the dam of G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness (Starcraft).

Ferocity has now sired 5 individual winners in his first-crop and they’ve collected 10 wins for over $400,000 in prizemoney.  He will stand for an $11,000 (inc gst) service fee at Oaklands in 2010.