Baller Belts Them in Moreton Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday June 5

Under a rails-hugging ride by Glen Boss, Baller dominated the Group II Ascot Green Moreton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm, but trainer Tony Gollan is unlikely to be tempted to back up the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding in the $1million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Baller (image BRC twitter)

It was two out of two for Baller since being to transferred to Tony Gollan having won the Listed Golmarket Quality (1200m) at the Gold Coast on May 8.

Gollan said the secret to Baller’s success is to space his runs and keep him fresh.

Given a patient ride by Glen Boss, Baller took the shortest route home to defeat Zaniah (Zoustar) by two and a quarter lengths with Wisdom Of Water (Headwater) a short-neck back in third.

The handsome 5yo gelding advanced his record to six wins, one second and two thirds from 21 starts with earnings of $479,565.

Purchased by Anthony Cummings for $160,000 out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Baller is the best of six winners from seven to race out of the Encosta De Lago mare Fuwa who died in 2017.

The final foal of Fuwa is the 3yo Star Witness gelding Kobestar.

Baller is one of 133 stakes-winner for High Chaparral (IRE) who last shuttled in 2014 and died in December that year.

High Chaparral

Advertisment

Race Result - Ascot Green Moreton Cup Gr2 1200m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.18
1
Baller
- 5g High Chaparral (IRE) x Fuwa (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: G Boss 55.5
High Chaparral
2
2.3
Zaniah
- 5m Zoustar (AUS) x Listen Here (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: A Mallyon 54
Zoustar
3
2.5
Wisdom Of Water
- 3c Headwater (AUS) x Regal Tier (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Craig Williams 55
Headwater
4
4.7
The Astrologist
- 4g Zoustar (AUS) x Aquada (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: Ben Thompson 55
5
6.4
Stampe
- 4g Whittington (AUS) x Envelope (AUS) (Monashee Mountain (USA))
Tnr: Chris Munce Rdr: L V Cassidy 55
6
7.2
Scallopini
- 6g Snitzel (AUS) x Rose Of Mulan (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Baylee Nothdurft 56
7
10.4
Varda
- 4m Lonhro (AUS) x Wild Queen (AUS) (Loup Sauvage (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 53.5
8
11.7
Splintex
- 4h Snitzel (AUS) x Acquired (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J Parr 57
9
18.2
Special Reward
- 5g Demerit (AUS) x Special Kiseki (AUS) (Special Bond (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J Bowman 56.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday April 25
Here is the full list of 94 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Metro Double for Promising Pierro Fillies
Pierro enjoyed a two state metro double on ANZAC Day with a pair of talented three year-old fillies saluting at Flemington and Randwick.
Kiwi Bred Almanzor Fillies Quinella Listed St Leger
Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor played a starring role at Flemington on Anzac Day, siring the quinella in the A$200,000 Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) with his three-year-old daughters Ahuriri and Alma Rise.
Sires With Winners - Friday April 26
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
High Chaparral's Baller Brave in Bobbie Lewis
Two Queensland veterans whose best days looked to be behind them triumphed on Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
The Stars Come Out at Sha Tin for Champions Day
The crowd will flock to Sha Tin on Sunday for Champions Day, which features three of the most popular horses in recent years: Golden Sixy, California Spangle, and Romantic Warrior.
New SW Deep Field - Mr Mojo Risin' Wins Listed Anzac Mile
Cambridge raider Mr Mojo Risin’ capitalised on a dream rails run to capture his first stakes victory when he claimed the Listed TAB Anzac Mile (1600m) at Otaki.
Baller Goes Back To Back in Moreton Cup
Winless for twelve months, the Tony Gollan-trained Baller made back-to-back wins in the Group II Ascot Green Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm.
Out of the Wilderness - Baller Strikes First Time Out for Tony Gollan
Winless since September 2019, the lightly raced High Chaparral (IRE) gelding Baller made his first start for Tony Gollan a winning one in Saturday’s Listed Golmarket Quality (1200m) at the Gold Coast.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Trials were at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with five heats won by juveniles and they included some unraced youngsters by champion sires Snitzel and Written Tycoon as well as first season sire Yes Yes Yes.