Karnup trainer Graeme Ballantyne bought a bargain when he paid $2,000 for a Safeguard weanling at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale.

An August foal, the bay colt was bred by Ridgeport Farm owner Santo Guagliardo and looked readymade winning his maiden as Hez Got The Safe at Bunbury on Monday.

Hez Got The Safe (3g Safeguard – Shez Got The Nod by Al Samer) had won a couple of Lark Hill juvenile trials earlier this year but Ballantyne sent him back out for a break instead of sending him to the races.

He returned this prep with two Belmont placings prior to a provincial breakthrough at the King’s Birthday meeting on Monday.  Jockey Jason Whiting settled him in the three-wide line with cover before setting out to collar hot-favourite Pond Master (Saxon Warrior) in the final few bounds.

“He should have just about won last time,” Ballantyne recalled.  “He got to the lead too early and ‘Fish’ said that cost him the race.  He’s got ability and he’s a laid-back type.

“John Chalmers buys for us and picked him out at the Sale.  He’s pulled up well this morning and we might come back for a midweek meeting in the city.”

Hez Got The Safe races for Graeme and his wife Donna along with Peter Daniw who has been a part-owner of several winners from the stable.  He’s a half-brother to Rommel’s Wolf (Rommel) who was sidelined for over twelve months following a Port Macquarie maiden win in May 2023.

Their dam Shez Got The Nod is an unraced half-sister to G3 MRC Vain Stakes (1100m) winner Get The Nod (US Ranger) and her most recent foal is a Safeguard 2yo filly with Adam and Terry Kenyon.

Ridgeport Farm stands Rommel (Commands) for $6,600 alongside Ducimus (Snitzel) at $5,500.  Both fees (inc GST).  For bookings or more information, contact Marge Ojapold (0497 478 231), Grant Burns (0410 683 470), Steve Hoare (0409 987 970).