Yarradale Stud resident Gingerbread Man became the first WA-based stallion to sire a black-type winner in 2023-24 when Phanta landed Saturday’s LR Belmont Newmarket (1200m).
Back in action following an explosive victory in the LR Bolton Sprint (1200m) last month, he tracked the speed before getting the upper hand of free-wheeling Excellent Dream (Dream Ahead) and then saw off a late challenge of Comes A Time (Sessions).
“I’m glad Brad (Parnham) grabbed a hold when Excellent Dream took the lead,” co-trainer Chris Gangemi said. “When he let down in the straight, I thought he would win comfortably. Then he looked gone and in big trouble at the 150m but he’s tough and has won a lot of races fighting like that.
“He’s a lovely horse and a big shout out to our farrier Alex who does a super job looking after his feet. He works in pads all prep and changes for raceday.”
Phanta (Photo / Western Racepix) is the fourth Belmont Newmarket winner for Gangemi Thoroughbreds following Super Maxi (Redoute’s Choice) in 2018, Saracino (Per Incanto) in 2020 and Samizdat (Not A Single Doubt) in 2021. He’s also one of seven individual black-type winners by Gingerbread Man.
Bred and sold by Scenic Lodge for $5,000 at the 2019 Perth Magic Millions, he was initially raced by Justin Warwick and changed hands again as a summer 4yo when Gangemi Thoroughbreds outlaid $80,000. That’s been repaid many times over with prizemoney approaching $430,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $46,800.
Phanta (6g Gingerbread Man – Dubi Dubi Do by Dubai Destination) is a younger full brother to Ginger Flyer who began last season winning the Jockey Celebration Hcp (1400m) and Blue Spec Stakes (1600m). She was last seen finishing fifth to Flying Missile in the most recent Jockey Celebration Hcp last Saturday.
Chris Gangemi indicated Phanta may dodge Valour Road in the LR Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) on August 26 and go straight to the LR Farnley Quality (1400m) on September 9.
The Idyllic Prince Stakes is run at weight-for-age and is being targeted first-up by the Simon Miller-trained $1.46million earner Valour Road (Frost Giant). The Yarradale-bred veteran has been off the scene for nine months but Miller has him ready to return after a Belmont trial win a fortnight ago.
Phanta brought up a double for Yarradale Stud on Saturday after Wubin Gold made it back-to-back wins in the Amelia Park Plate (1200m). The unbeaten Shooting To Win filly was bred by Yarradale and graduated for $30,000 through its draft at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Wubin Gold (3f Shooting To Win – War Of Whispers by War Chant) looked an exciting type on debut last weekend and she was even more impressive off a seven-day turnaround on Saturday. “We have an enormous opinion of this filly,” trainer Colin Webster exclaimed. “She’s a bit special and we’ve had some interest from the Eastern States but their offers were only enough to buy one front leg!
“She’s a perfect horse at home and goes to sleep until its time to saddle her up on raceday. We will give her one more run and bring her back for an autumn campaign. She has a lot more to offer and I think she will be at her best at 1400m.”
War Chant (Danzig) stands at Yarradale for $8,250 alongside Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) at $5,500. Both fees (inc GST).
