Scone-based trainer Luke Pepper has set lofty goals for his Rubick filly Opal Ridge after she slammed her elders in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Scone on Saturday.
The only 3yo in the race, Opal Ridge thundered down the centre of the track under Dylan Gibbons to defeat Godolphin’s 5yo stakes-winning gelding Gravina (Sebring) by a widening one and a half lengths. Titanium Power (So You Think) was a half-length back in third.
The $500,000 Tapp Craig (1400m) winner at Randwick last October, Opal Ridge followed that up with a two lengths win in the Listed Darby Monro Stakes at Rosehill on March 18.
A $20,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Carramar Park draft, Opal Ridge advances her record to six wins and two seconds 11 starts with earnings of $648,150.
Pepper said the daughter of Rubick will chase Group 1 glory in Queensland.
“She will go to Queensland for the Stradbroke and then the Tatt's Tiara,'' Pepper revealed.
Bred by Wayne and Pauline Alchin, Opal Ridge is the first foal from winning Myboycharlie (IRE) mare Chadana, a half-sister to Group III ATC Adrian Knox Stakes winner Candelara (Real Saga), who was third in the Group I ATC Australian Oaks.
Chadana was on-sold by Carramar Park for $12,000 through Inglis Digital in 2021 to Queensland-based Fig Tree Farm.
Luke Pepper shelled out $80,000 for Chadana’s Headwter colt consigned by Fig Tree Farm to the Magic Millions Yearling sale in January,
Not served in 2021, Chadana slipped last spring.
