A recent news article on our website outlined what an excellent month of June the racing progeny of Bullbars had had. The success has continued this week with two of his first crop clearing maiden ranks, each in a style that suggests there may be more in store.
First up on Sunday, Minoan Spirit (Bullbars - Amazing Spirit) saluted the judge at his fourth start over 1,300m at Bendigo. Trained by the master Darren Weir and ridden by accomplished Irish jockey John Allen came from 11th at the 400m mark to nose out his illustrious stablemate New Horizons by a nose. New Horizons, the hot favourite, is a highly thought of son of Frankel. The pair were nearly three lengths clear of third, which suggests that Minoan Spirit will continue to be competitive in future.
Then today at Matamata, Brookbars, a three year old filly out of Middlebrook, won the first race on the card over 2,000m. Brookbars had been a model of consistency, (particularly since being stepped up in distance) and she fully deserved her victory today which was a little cosy at the finishing line. Trained by Brian McKeagg and ridden by apprentice Ryan Elliot, Brookbars was given time to find her feet after jumping. Approaching the 600m mark, Elliot allowed her to slide forward looping the field; as they entered the straight, she challenged and comfortably went to the lead. While the favourite came at her in the last 200m, a couple of reminders from Elliot got her mind back on the job and she comfortably went to the line with a bit in reserve.
Bullbars stands again this season at a fee of $6,000; great value for a stallion whose progeny operate on the full range of track conditions, over all distance and there appears to be no performance bias to either sex.
