A disappointing field of just six runners in Friday’s Group III Australian Bloodstock Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle, but it proved a triumph for Wild Chap and Brett Lazzarini, who resumed training over two years ago.
Wild Chap had not lined up in a stakes race until his 34th start. It was a career highlight for apprentice Reece Jones who gave the 6yo son of Toronado a ground-saving ride to defeat Luncies (GB) (Iffraaj) by a head with the favourite Character (Teofilo) three-quarter of a length back in third.
“It’s great to get my first stakes winner for Brett,” Jones said.
“He has been a great supporter and to repay with a Group winner is really special.
“I’ve had about nine sits (on Wild Chap) and never missed a place. He has been a special horse to me.”
An $80,000 purchase for Greg McFarlane Racing/Feale Park Training from the Balcrest Stud draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Wild Chap advances his record to six nine two from 34 starts with earnings of $352,015.
A half-sister to stakes-placed Nipperkin (Artie Schiller), Wild Chap is the best of six winners from nine to race out of the tough-as-teak Pipkin.
A daughter of Gallo di Ferro (USA), Pipkin won seven and placed in 16 of her 62 starts. Highlights came with wins in the Listed SAJC Centaurea Trophy and Listed JRA Trophy Stakes and placed in the Group 1 SAJC South Australian Oaks.
The 23yo mare had her first foal in three years last spring, a colt by Ambidexter.
Wild Chap is the 27th stakes-winner for Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (IRE), who stands at a fee of $88,000.
