News
Belmont boost for Oratorio
Under-rated two year-old Ignition has given Mungrup Stud champion Oratorio (Aus) a late-season boost at Belmont.
The Sharon Taylor trained gelding was a debut winner at $41 on the opening day of the winter season and he doubled up at $7 in the Del Basso Hcp (1000m) on Saturday.
Ignition (2g Oratorio – Sheleenus by Helenus) has banked $105,000 for connections and that’s put his sire in the driver’s seat for a third Sunspeed 2YO title. “He was still a bit fat after that first win and I knew there was improvement to come,” Smith said. “Once in front, I was confident he would keep kicking.
“He’s a lazy horse at home but really switches on when we come to the races.”
Smith leases the gelding from Anne Fisher and the Waroona-based breeder will send his dam Sheleenus back to Oratorio this year. Second-dam Paris Moon (Metal Storm) was bred by Mungrup owner Gray Williamson and was a Listed winner of the 2002 Ngawyni Stakes at Belmont.
Oratorio ($314,000) holds a commanding lead over fellow Mungrup sire Danehill Express ($191,000) and Viscount ($143,000) for the 2012-13 WA 2YO premiership. He will head the Mungrup Stud roster this year at $13,750 (inc gst) service fee.
- Karl Patterson
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