Lex Piper homebred Geiger Rio led home a trifecta for Mungrup Stud in the Westspeed Hcp (1000m) at Belmont on Wednesday.

Geiger Rio (3g Oratorio – Geigerita by Geiger Counter) was racing first-up since Xmas Eve for trainer David Harrison and was always travelling like a winner.  He kicked clear in the straight and was being eased up on the line to defeat Silver Sass (Due Sasso) and Lord Balthazar (Oratorio).

Harrison has a great strike-rate with Oratorio (Aus) and top of the dial is star sprinter Waratah’s Secret.  The Lark Hill trainer prepared him for 9 wins including the last two editions of the G3 Prince Of Wales Stakes.

“Geiger Rio is a lovely type,” stable spokesman Craig Wolfreys said.  “He was doing it wrong last year but we rectified a few things and now we’ve got plenty to work with.  I think he’s a horse with a bit of a future.”

Piper and his wife Shirley bred and part-own Geiger Rio.  He is the first winner for Geigerita who is an unraced half-sister to G1 Hong Kong sprinter Town of Fionn (Snippets).  The mare foaled another colt by Oratorio last year and was then served by Mungrup’s Redoute’s Choice sire Red Hot Choice.

Oratorio can keep the winning run alive when his flying filly Passion Cantata returns to action in Race 1 at Belmont on Saturday.

Passion Cantata (2f Oratorio – Sanabresa by Scenic) was a brilliant winner on debut at Ascot in February before finishing midfield in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.  She beat Brave Prince by six lengths in a barrier trial on June 11 and the runner-up franked that hit-out with an outstanding victory at Northam last week.

Oratorio (Stravinsky) leads the Mungrup roster at a $22,000 service fee.

ORATORIO
Led home a trifecta for Mungrup stallions