Kennedy Milestone As Oratorio Run Continues
- Wednesday, 21 October 2009 07:45
Promising apprentice Ben Kennedy notched his first winner at Ascot this afternoon when he teamed up with promising three-year-old filly Clueless Angel to win the Westspeed 3YO Handicap (1400m).
Kennedy, 17 next month, has grown up in the industry and is the younger brother of Alan, who recently graduated to become a senior jockey in Perth.
Prior to today he'd won a handful of races in Perth, but all of them had come at Belmont.
Kennedy allowed the filly to settle off the speed and after getting her into clear ground in the straight she rounded up the leaders before strolling clear.
At the post the Lindsey Smith prepared Clueless Angel ($2.15 fav) held a two length margin over Avonmore Terrace ($26).
Completing a Magic Millions trifecta was Flashy Doll ($4.20) who was another half length back.
As well as notching up a milestone for Kennedy, Clueless Angel extended an incredible run for his sire, Oratorio.
A former star Magic Millions graduate, Oratorio has emerged as one of Australia's hottest young sires and on Saturday his unbeaten three-year-old Waratah's Secret romped home in the Belgravia Stakes.
Magic Millions Perth Manager Murray Tillett said Oratorio had made the best possible start to his stud career.
Tillett said no young stallion had made such an impact with his early runners than Oratorio in West Australia for as long as he could remember.
"In his first crop he won the Karratta Plate with a filly, he's got a superstar in Waratah's Secret, another stakes galloper in Dawinner and Clueless Angel looks a black type galloper as well."
He said Oratorio's early success with his runners was being reflected in WA breeding circles.
"His book was closed about six months ago. And that's no surprise - what an impression he's made already."
"And it really looks like his progeny will continue to improve as they develop."
There's no doubt that the efforts to date of Oratorio's runners are being noticed around the country.
"I'd be staggered if there's not some good eastern state interest in his yearlings at our next sale."
"There's nothing more a stallion can do. His yearlings are good looking and they are sure to impress those who haven't seen any as yet."
"And people all around the country remember what a tough two and three-year-old Oratorio was when trained by Lee Freedman."
"He proved his class in a number of states and has now let down to be a magnificent stallion."
Tillett said over 30 yearlings by Oratorio would be catalogued for the 2010 Perth Yearling Sale - which will kick away on January 27.
Another highlight of the Perth Sale will be the half brother to Clueless Angel, by exciting freshman sire Due Sasso.
The cracking youngster will be one of the stand outs from a quality packed draft for Mungrup Stud at the top producing Belmont based auction.
Media Release - Magic Millions
