Final Authority kicked off a successful week for Yarradale Stud after winning a speed battle with Universal Playboy in the WA Owners Appreciation Hcp (1000m) at Belmont on Saturday.

The 4yo Zoustar gelding claimed an Albany maiden 18 months ago but had lost focus for trainer Adam Durrant before transferring to Michael and Chris Gangemi earlier this year.  He was a first-up winner for the new yard at Belmont on May and continued that consistent form on the weekend.

“He’s racing well this prep now that he’s not so fizzy in the gates,” Chris Gangemi said.  “He jumps and runs and getting a nice lead makes all the difference.”

Winning jockey Clint Johnston-Porter put a different spin on his improvement.  “He was a pain when he was with Adam.  I told Michael to buy him and have him gelded.  He got stuck in today and put them away.”

Final Authority was bred by Yarradale and Simon York from Chantski (War Chant) who had won the G3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) at Ascot in 2015.  She was also runner-up in that year’s LR Supremacy Stakes and, in her only other loss at two, was run over by Lucky Street (Oratorio) in the RL Perth Magic Millions Classic.

Chantski is also the dam of Stormchaser (Impending) who won a Belmont 2yo barrier trial for owner-trainer Luke Fernie on Monday.  Her final foals are fillies by Toronado (Ire) and Earthfield (Ire).

The winning run at Belmont continued on Wednesday with Yarradale-bred graduate Vital Gem (Vital Equine) and the Gingerbread Man duo Fluro Neuro and Bread To Flirt.

Hopelands owner-trainer Eddie Philp bought Vital Gem for just $1,500 as a foal at the 2019 Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale.  He’s the final foal of USA-bred Stakes-winner Spotless Mind (Catienus) who was purchased for $32,500 by Yarradale at the 2012 Magic Millions National Sale on the Gold Coast.

Vital Gem appreciated the quick sectionals set by grey flyer Gift Of The Heart (Bradbury’s Luck) in the Amelia Park Hcp (1400m).  “He’s had issues and can find trouble in running so he deserved that win,” jockey Victoria Corver explained.  “He relaxed, tracked into the race and, when I asked, he showed a nice turn of foot.

“And the win means a lot more because my Mum (Carolyn) is a part-owner.”