Roselee Park stallion King’s Troop sired a double with promising 3yo maiden winners Kings Honour and Kings Salute at Pinjarra on Wednesday.
King’s Troop (Redoute’s Choice) is one of the most underrated stallions in WA but punters didn’t underestimate his pair – Kings Honour paid $1.10 and Kings Salute $1.90 on the WA TAB.
“He’s an exciting sprinter and will be spelled soon with a view to spring and summer races at Ascot,” trainer Hayden Ballantyne told the West Australian Newspaper after Kings Honour defeated Rocking Gem (Awesome Rock) and Rivercrest Magic (Ducimus) in the Country Comfort Maiden (1000m).
Ballantyne, who played 170 AFL games for Fremantle Dockers, is good friends with owner-breeder Matt Lukatelich from their schooldays and as teammates with the Baldivis juniors.
Lukatelich is a TBWA Committee Member and he bred Kings Honour from Highest Honour (Elusive Quality) who was a $12,000 buy off the track from Peters Investments after winning three races at Ascot.
Photo L-R: Matt Lukatelich holding his son Mason, Steve Erceg, Hayden Ballantyne, Helen Erceg, Maria & Ron Wills and jockey Jarrad Noske / Western Racepix
In a remarkable career, Highest Honour delivered 10 foals in her first 11 seasons at stud for Lukatelich. Her 2yo is an unraced gelding named Orkney Lad with Mitch Pateman. He’s by Sessions and so are the mare’s yearling filly and filly foal.
Kings Salute had the drop on the leaders in the Peel Bus Hire Maiden (1300m) at Pinjarra and then had them covered when put into overdrive by Chris Parnham. He was racing second-up following an eight-month spell and was doing his best work late to defeat Impossible Dream (Pierro) and Godless Storm (Playing God).
Trainer Dan Morton prepares Kings Salute for Oakland Park, his wife Carol, Neil MacDonald and the Litton family’s Hamlin Bay Thoroughbreds. He’s the second and final foal from Huette (Demerit) who also threw King’s Troop’s Listed winner All The King’s Men (Lex Piper Stakes & Bunbury Breeders Classic).
King’s Troop stands with Wayne and Tracy Rodwell at Roselee Park in Serpentine for Gangemi Thoroughbreds. “We’re very happy with the way things are going for him at Roselee,” Michael Gangemi said this week. “King’s Troop is doing a super job from limited opportunities.”
