Former Mungrup Stud champion Oratorio (Aus) sits fifth on the WA sires’ table following a Belmont double on Saturday and provincial winners at York (Sunday) and Northam (Monday).
Oratorio (Stravinsky) claimed five WA 2YO premierships in his heyday and remained at the same Narrikup property in the Great Southern when Mungrup was rebranded Willaview Park in 2020. He died in February and his penultimate juvenile crop this season numbers six colts and three fillies.
Kelora landed the first-leg at Belmont for Oratorio in the Peninsula Dining Room Hcp (1400m) and he’s one of 12 individual Oratorio winners trained by Neville Parnham. Another is his younger sister Yarralea who scored at Belmont in June.
They’re homebreds for Brian and Joan Durran out of Kelvin Rose (Redoute’s Choice) who is from a half-sister to their Group 1-winning Caulfield sprinter-miler Regal Roller (Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Toorak Hcp & Futurity Stakes).
Lightly-raced Oratorio 4yo Cut The Talk can carve out a successful career for trainer Tim Crosby and owner-breeder Linda Stecko on the back of a strong win in Saturday’s Crown Perth Hcp (1000m). He’s the only foal from their Belmont winner Little Gracie (So Secret).
Cut The Talk (Photo / Western Racepix)
“He has ability and I thought this was a good race for him,” Crosby said. “I knew there would be pace with Sockoff up front and he could kick over the top. ‘Lucky’ (Ramoly) said that was the best plan of attack and it came off.
“The three-week break between runs was the only worry. He puts on weight but is a sound horse and I think he has a future.”
Oratorio mare Orchilla made a well overdue breakthrough in the Keri D’Orsogna Hcp (1200m) at York on Sunday for trainer Robyn Lockwood and owner Bill Godecke. She was bred at Mungrup Stud and is a half-sister to Stakes-placed Ascot winner Holy Enchantment (Playing God).
Ramoly was seen to advantage on another promising Oratorio when Smokey Mountain was a front-running winner at Northam on Monday. Prepared for a first-up victory by Vern Brockman, he was specked from $41 into $26 and was never troubled in the Ray Smith Maiden (1000m).
Smokey Mountain had been sidelined since January and gives every indication he can live up to the hype that saw him make $210,000 to top Yarradale Stud’s draft at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions. He’s the fourth winner from Frizzled (Dehere) who is an older half-sister to the recent Rommel city winners Storm Commander and Storm Leader.
