Phanta has run a smart field of sprinters ragged for his first black-type victory in the H G Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont.
The 5yo gelding is the 7th Stakes winner by Yarradale Stud sire Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) and was racing first-up since being narrowly defeated by Angelic Miss (NZ) in the LR Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in January.
Phanta (Photo / Western Racepix) accelerated off a cosy lead on Saturday’s Soft 6 surface to win as he liked from Panzdown (Panzer Division) and Western Temple (Dream Ahead).
Initially trained by Justin Warwick, he was sent to Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott as an autumn 3yo but didn’t face the starter in Sydney before returning to Perth as a summer 4yo for Gangemi Thoroughbreds.
“He had only had five starts when we bought him back home and, from memory, we paid $80,000,” trainer Chris Gangemi recalled as Brad Parnham brought the winner back to the enclosure. “We liked him a lot and believed he could get to this level.
“I was super confident today because he’s had a faultless prep. It’s the best he’s ever been and raced accordingly. He was a bit tired late but he’s just a really good, tough horse.”
Possible new-season targets for Phanta include the LR Belmont Newmarket (1200m) on August 12, LR Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) on August 26 and LR Farnley Quality (1400m) on September 9. “He can go right on with it now,” Gangemi added. “Hopefully there’s more soft tracks ahead because he has bad feet and hard tracks aren’t ideal.”
Justin Warwick had purchased Phanta for $5,000 from Scenic Lodge at the 2019 Perth Magic Millions. Saturday’s win improved his record to 6 wins in 16 starts for prizemoney of $360,620. Westspeed bonuses have contributed $46,800 of that amount.
His 6yo full-sister Ginger Flyer sent her prizemoney past $320,000 for part-owner Vicki Cayley after winning the Blue Spec Stakes (1600m) at Ascot earlier this season. They are the first two lives foals from unraced mare Dubi Dubi Do (Dubai Destination) who was pensioned in August 2021.
Yarradale kicked off Saturday’s Belmont card with Fred & Judith Kersley’s winning homebred Kelvinater. He’s a 3yo son of Heritage (Flying Spur) who didn’t race but earned a shot standing Gidgegannup as a half-brother the Kersley-trained all-time great Northerly (Serheed).
Yarradale stands Gingerbread Man ($5,500) alongside War Chant ($8,250) this year. Service fees (inc GST).
