Colonial sires rule the roost in QBred

Colonial bred stallions left the winners of five of the six QBred Triad Finals for harness racing pacers at Albion Park last Saturday night.

The vanguard was led by the A. G. Hunter Cup and Victoria Cup hero Bling It On (Cobbitty Equine Farm), who left the winner of the Grade 1 $150,000 classic for two-year-old colts and geldings in Im El Arquero.

The 2019 2YO Colt of the Year Be Happy Mach, who stands at Wingate Farm, was represented by Mullum Showgirl, who captured the Group 1 $150,000 Final for two-year-old fillies at only her third start.

Alabar Bloodstock’s Vincent and the 2019 Horse of the Year and Grand Circuit Champion Tiger Tara (Medowie Lodge) sired the winners of the Group 1 $153,000 for three-year-old males and females respectively in Pure Grunt and Stripes.

Ohoka Punter completed the domination by colonial bred stallions in the rich series with his daughter Ruby Rules leading most of the way to win the Group 2 $76,500 Final for four-year-old mares.

The only North American import to get his name on the honour roll was Captaintreacherous, the sire of the gallant winner of the Group 2 $76,500 Final for four-year-old entires and geldings in French Fries. It was the gelding’s second Triad triumph, having taken out the three-year-old Final the previous year.

Ruby Rules and French Fries were both bred and are raced by leading Brisbane identity Kevin Seymour and his wife Kay and both trace to their foundation mare Call Girl, the ancestress of no less than 16 Triad champions in Colt Thirty One, Cool And Classy, Leo’s Best, Cherry Cheer, Rani Major, Racy Roxy, Red Charmer, Charming Allie, Girl From Ipanema, Frankie Rocks, Forever After, Fond Memories, Guitarzan, Get In The Groove, Ruby Rules and French Fries.

Interestingly, the winners of both two-year-old divisions are out of daughters of colonial bred sires. Im El Arquero is out of a mare by the great Auckland Reactor, while Mullum Showgirl is from a mare by the thrice WA Pacing Cup victor The Falcon Strike.

American-bred stallions won all three divisions of the QBred Triad series for straightout trotters.

Trixton sired the brilliant winner of the Group 2 $50,000 Final for two-year-olds in Phoenix Rex, Muscle M Up (Medowie Lodge) left the winner of the Group 2 $51,000 Final for three-year-olds in Fredidrivsamercury, and Volstead (Alabar) produced the winner of the $25,500 4YO and 5YO Final, Pinnie.

Pinnie, who also won the two-year-old Final in 2023, is the first foal of his Group 3 winning dam Needle.

by Peter Wharton, for Harnesslink