One to Watch – Ballarat

Tara Madgwick - Thursday October 17

This three year-old son of Trapeze Artist was a popular winner at Ballarat on Thursday going two for two to the great delight of his trainer Charlotte Littlefield and his big group of happy owners.

Big Swinger bolts in at Ballarat - image Pat Scala / Racing Photos

Big Swinger won on debut at Ballarat last month over 1200m with Craig Williams in the saddle and he was keen to stick with the t alented gelding for his second start over the same course in a Class 1.

Advertisement

The result was the same, but even better with Big Swinger opening up to win by nearly four lengths as a short priced favourite.

“I was confident leading up to the race as I knew we had a good horse and he’s come on so well from the first up run,” said Charlotte Littlefield.

“He still showed a little bit of greenness in that running, so there is plenty more to come from him. It’s just a big relief to get that second win on the board with him.

“They’re only three once and when they win like that you probably have to come to town and this time of year and there are a couple of nice options.”

The Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1200m at Flemington is a possibility with Littlefield and her owners set to weigh up those options after consultation with Craig Williams.

Big Swinger has plenty of happy owners - image Pat Scala/ Racing Photos

A $180,000 Magic Millions purchase from Arrowfield Stud for Hayfields Racing/Intel Bloodstock, Big Swinger is a three-quarter brother to multiple Group winner Sylvia’s Mother. He is the fourth winner from five to race from metro winning Bel Esprit mare Found The One, a full sister to Group I winner Bel Mer, the dam of this season’s Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Bel Merci.

Trapeze Artist is the leading third crop sire by winners and had a double on Thursday with Trapeze Pleasure also successful at Hawkesbury. He stands at Widden this spring at a fee of $55,000.

Advertisment

Race Result - Hertz Hcp (C1) 1200m

Ballarat Track: Good(4) Time: 1:13.02
1
Big Swinger
- 3g Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Found The One (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: Charlotte Littlefield Rdr: Craig Williams 57
2
3.8
Treat Him Right
- 3g Written By (AUS) x Reciprocity (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: E J Walsh 56.5
3
7
Flying Knee
- 5g Rubick (AUS) x I'm A Flying Star (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: Reece Goodwin Rdr: Beau Mertens 55.5
4
9.8
Porter
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Prana (FR) (Siyouni (FR))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Ben Allen 58
5
12.8
Wild Pharaoh
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x Wild Horizon (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: H Coffey 55
6
15.3
Book Launch
- 7g Smart Missile (AUS) x Novel Dancer (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: J G McArthur Rdr: Tayla Childs 54
More Reading...
2026 Inglis Premier – Sire and Vendor Break Up
The 2026 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale is now online and there is a distinctly Yulong flavour to the sale with Victoria’s biggest farm also the biggest vendor and they stand three of the top five most represented sires.
Invader’s Foreign Press Wins Listed Mode Plate
Leading into Saturday’s $160,000 Listed BRC Mode Plate (1200m) at Doomben, Tony Gollan’s Invader filly had Foreign Press had been a model of consistency, and she displayed that once again on race day, securing her first black type victory in a close finish.
€2.6 million Half Sovereign Tops Arqana Vente d’Élevage
The final major sale of the year in Deauville, the ARQANA Vente d’Élevage began this morning with the first part of the catalogue that offered a selection of exceptional mares, fillies and foals. Of the 227 lots that went under the hammer, nearly 77% of them changed hands for an average of €190,126, generating a turnover of €33,082,000.
Russian Revolution 2YO Debut Winner by Daylight - Half-Brother Inglis Classic
Russian Revolution already has a smart 2YO in Australia this season in Seeiaye and produced one in New Zealand on Sunday when Lara Antipova bolted away to win on debut by eight lengths!
New G1 Winner for Maurice - Cosmic Crusader Wins G1 Northerly
It was yet another big win for Peters Investments in a Perth major!
2026 Inglis Premier Now Online
The catalogue for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale – the source of the past three The Everest winners that were offered at public auction – is now available online.
Sires With Winners - Saturday December 6
Here is the full list of 108 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Perth Cup Contender for Pride of Dubai
A two time stakes-winner that was second in last year’s Group II WATC Derby, five year-old Pride of Dubai gelding Buckets Ridge was back in top form at Ascot on Saturday when winning the $125,000 Listed WATC GA Towton Cup (2200m).
Not Quite a Family Double
The barest of margins, a mere nose, denied full siblings Crackercol and Waitak a notable raceday double at Trentham on Saturday.
Big Swinger to Star for Trapeze Artist
With six winners in the past week including a metro double at Sandown on Wednesday, Trapeze Artist is finding his winning groove with exciting three year-old Big Swinger making a brilliant return at Pakenham last night for the in form Charlotte Littlefield stable.