breednet.com.au

One to Watch – Ballarat

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday August 11

At this time of year when a three year-old Dundeel colt wins on debut we like to know a bit more.

Advertisement

Hit the Shot gets up in the last stride at Ballarat - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos

Prepared by Matt Cumani, Hit the Shot was well fancied in the 1400m maiden at Ballarat, but not expected to beat the hot favourite Holster trained by Team Hawkes.

At the top of the straight his task looked forlorn, but under strong riding from Fred Kersley Hit the Shot powered home from last as the widest runner to nail Holster on the line and win by a head.
 



There was much to like about the performance and connections may have a horse to have a lot of fun with in the next 12 months as his classic season unfolds.

A $170,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Arrowfield draft for G Tao, Hit the Shot is a half-brother to stakes-placed Moroccan Rose and is the third winner from Redoute’s Choice mare Tang, a full sister to Group III winner Zestful and three-quarter sister to the dam of Group II winner Military Rose.

Hit the shot as a yearling

Tang is a grand-daughter of blue hen Summoned, whose Group I winning descendants include Zeditave, Melito, Greys Inn, Smart Call and Norzita.

Arrowfield Stud sold the full brother to Hit the Shot at Magic Millions this year to Baystone Farm.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Hertz Ballarat Mdn Plate 1400m

Ballarat Synthetic Track: Synthetic Time: 1:26.64
1
Hit The Shot
- 3c Dundeel (NZ) x Tang (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Fred W Kersley 57
2
0.2
Holster
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Lovetrista (AUS) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: D Dunn 59.5
3
2.2
Bofors
- 3g More Than Ready (USA) x Cutie Express (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: J Mott 57
4
2.9
Scarlett Heart
- 4m Stryker (AUS) x Izba (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: H Coffey 57.5
5
6.9
Ticket To The Moon
- 5g Tickets (AUS) x Stage Witch (AUS) (Reenact (AUS))
Tnr: Mick Bath Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 59.5
6
9.4
Amusing Magnus
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Miss Amusun (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: Clint Marshall Rdr: M J Walker 59.5
7
11.2
Surely Shirley
- 4m Sepoy (AUS) x Shirl Pegasus (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: Daniel Williams Rdr: Jack Martin 57.5
8
12.4
Umculo
- 4g Street Boss (USA) x Giuditta (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Adam Chambers Rdr: Declan Bates 59.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday January 16
Here is the full list of 50 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Irish Bred Camelot wins G3 Totara Lodge Trentham Stakes
Trentham has long been Michael and Matthew Pitman’s favourite track, and that sentiment was further enhanced on Saturday after they recorded a memorable double at the Upper Hutt track.
Birchley Back to NZ for More Millions
Queensland trainer Liam Birchley is no stranger to success in the richest two-year-old race in New Zealand, the $1million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and he is hoping to replicate the winning feeling next weekend as he prepares to line-up a pair of quality fillies in the Ellerslie dash for cash.
Mulcaster Finds First Winner for Portland Sky
A Group I winning son of champion sire Deep Field, Widden Stud’s Portland Sky put his first winner on the board at Ascot on Saturday with a dominant debut victory for talented filly Daryte, who was purchased by Guy Mulcaster.
Geese That Lay Golden Eggs – What’s in the Future?
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sale was highlighted by 15 yearlings that sold for $1million or more which was two more than last year when just 13 hit the magic mark, but still considerably down on 2024 which saw 23 millionaires sold following on from 20 in 2023.
Torque To Be Sure Survives Protest For 3YO Guineas Win
Torque To Be Sure survived a protest in the stewards’ room to shrug his maiden tag on the biggest stage with a win in the $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) on Saturday.
Breeding to Win - 2026 Magic Millions 2YO Classic
The Gold Coast is the centre of the Australasian thoroughbred universe this week, abuzz with all the theatre and excitement of the Magic Millions on and off the track!
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 17
Here is the full list of 111 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Bred Speed Dragon Strikes in G3 January Cup
Ready to Run Sale graduate Speed Dragon (NZ) (Darci Brahma) delivered a milestone moment for his trainer Francis Lui with a spectacular come-from-behind victory in the A$4.2m Group Three January Cup (1800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. 
Ones to Watch – Rosehill
In years to come when racing trivia nights are held, a question will be - what was the horse champion jockey Jett Newman rode in her first metropolitan race win?  And the answer is our One to Watch.