'Battler' Bradley Bags Top End Classic
- Saturday, 21 July 2007 00:00
Brad Star
Self confessed battler Vincent Bradley scored the biggest win of his breeding, owning and training career when his talented three-year-old Brad Star scored a brilliant win in the $101,700 Skycity NT Derby (2000m) at Fannie Bay in Darwin.
With top local jockey Paul Shiers in the saddle, Brad Star sat just off the speed before coming with a perfectly timed run to hit the front in the straight and pull clear over the concluding stages.
"We were able to get into a good position today, just like last start in the (Darwin) Guineas," Bradley said tonight. "They (the leaders) dropped the speed during the middle stages and I didn't think that would suit him."
"But when he was able to get into fourth place with about 800 metres to run I knew he would be the one to beat. I was pretty confident from then on."
"The second horse (Euler) battled hard in the straight, but we were able to draw clear in the last 50 (metres) and win well," Bradley commented.
A long time resident at Millicent in South Australia's south east, Bradley made the trip to the top end with a horse after being on course for last year's Cup.
"I was up here last year for about three months, helping a few guys out and I really did love it," Bradley said.
"I'm getting on a bit now and I've got a bit of arthritis, so why wouldn't I want to be up here in god's country?"
Bradley said his classy son of Staaraq, who at his previous run demoralised his rivals in the rich Darwin Guineas, was a mighty tough galloper.
"He's virtually been in work for a year now. I put him into work on the 18th of August last year as soon as I got back from Darwin," Bradley recalled.
"After having such a good time here last year, I really wanted to head back with him - so today's race was a long time in the planning."
The gelding is one of two winners from the John's Hero mare Phantasiare.
"I trained her and she was handy without being anything special. She won three races (to 1400 metres) for us."
"She has also thrown Rendelsham Star, who's also by Staaraq, and he was a good gelding for me - he won two in town (Adelaide)."
Staaraq, the sire of Brad Star and Rendelsham Star, was a popular 'bread and butter' stallion who stood at Pam Williamson's Kenton Valley Park Stud.
The sire of 48 winners including stakes gallopers Cyber Dream, Upmarket Star and Fava, Staaraq tragically died in November last year.
Brad Star, now the winner of five of his 17 starts and over $110,000, will now attempt to complete the big top end triple crown in the upcoming Darwin Cup.
"At this stage that is the plan. If everything goes well between now and then, we'll be having a crack at it."
And when can the locals in Millicent and the surrounding communities in the south east of South Australia?
"If we win the Cup who knows, I might never leave!"
PIC - Jenny Barnes.
