Random Orbit struck winning form a fortnight ago and trainer Michael Nolan is quietly confident the gelding can make it two in a row when he returns to Eagle Farm this Saturday.
The Stromberg Carlson colt broke a run of outs when he powered home to score by a length in the Thirsty Camel QTIS 3YO Hcp over 1400m on October 2. And he should appreciate the extra distance when stepping up to 1500m in another QTIS event this Saturday.
Nolan has a lot of time for the Stromberg Carlsons. “He’s doing a terrific job. They’re a tough breed although you have to be patient with them. Random Orbit won early on, however, he’s an exception.”
Random Orbit (3c Stromberg Carlson – Icemaze by Our Maizcay) had been consistent without winning since last December but Nolan has a simple explanation. “He did it the hard way against some really smart two year-olds like Fillydelphia and now he’s turned the corner.”
Random Orbit has more than paid his way for owner-breeder John McKeering and his son Shaun. “The QTIS scheme is a great concept,” Nolan said this week. “Random Orbit earned $53,000 including bonuses last time and that increased his prizemoney to more than $170,000.”
Stromberg Carlson is a Redoute’s Choice half-brother to G1 racehorse and sire Testa Rossa and has sired 27 winners of 42 races in his first two crops. He stands at Raheen Stud for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee.
A quarter of those wins have come in Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and South Korea. Off-shore results can be counter-productive when targeting Australian owners and trainers but they’re significant at auctions like the Magic Millions HIT Sale.
Stromberg Carlson has 10 lots catalogued for the 2010 MM HIT Sale at the Gold Coast on October 27 and 28 including four from Raheen Stud.
Lot 309 should be popular with the large contingent of Korean buyers. He is by Stromberg Carlson from the Crown Jester mare Jessie’s Journey and is a younger brother to the South Korean winner Yeokpoong Gangja. She has banked cheques in 8 of her 12 starts so far and has earned the equivalent of AUD 48,100.