Hokahey (War Chant) kicked off an interstate double for Yarradale Stud at Eagle Farm on Saturday and a couple of hours later Red Fifty Three (Gingerbread Man) landed the second-leg at Belmont.
Under a perfect ride by Sam Collett, Hokahey sat behind the pace from an inside gate to collar the leader Bowrider (Astern) and then go clear to score by a length in the Ladbrokes Hcp (1400m). “She enjoyed a good run in transit and it was a well-deserved win,” trainer Jack Bruce said. “That’s three metro wins since heading north for her owner Geoff Walsh.”
She was bred in WA by Michael and Carolyn Grant who transferred to Romsey in Victoria four years ago. Trading under G & G Bloodstock, they bred her in partnership with Magic Millions auctioneer Grant Burns and leading vet Kim Rose.
Hokahey sold for $60,000 through the Willow Dale consignment to the 2019 Perth Magic Millions and has now earned $180,000 from 6 wins in 24 starts. Yarradale stallion War Chant (USA) sired her from Southern Princess (Southern Image) who was an Ascot-winning half-sister to the Peters Investments Group 3 sprinter Shining Knight (Blackfriars).
Born-again sprinter Red Fifty Three began repaying the patience of his owners with a superb victory in the Dr John Godfrey Hcp (1200m). The 5yo son Gingerbread Man settled in the box-seat behind Ginger Jones before Willie Pike took advantage of a significant bias along the cutaway to defeat Hammarmill (Ouqba) and Bread To Flirt (Gingerbread Man).
Red Fifty Three had shown enormous potential with an unbeaten Belmont hat-trick as a spring 3yo, however, he trained off later that season and was then sidelined for twelve months. “I probably rushed him too early,” co-trainer Grant Williams admitted. “He came back and did well at the trials and went super today.”
Bred by Yarradale’s assistant-manager Susan Hanratty, he has earned $224,200 after being sold by Yarradale (as agent) for $42,500 at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions to a syndicate managed by Elio Galante. Among them is basketball star Damian Martin who wore No.53 for the Perth Wildcats.
He’s the first foal from Lady Valorem (Ad Valorem) who has a yearling filly by Gingerbread Man and is in foal to Splintex off a September cover last year.
War Chant (Danzig) stands at Yarradale for $8,250 alongside Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) at $5,500. Both fees (inc GST)