Gingerbread Man delivered a one-two punch in Perth and Broome on Saturday to complete another winning week for Yarradale Stud.
Berbere bolted in at Belmont for Willie Pike and minutes later his widely-travelled veteran Ginger Jones gave nothing else a chance thanks to a ground-saving ride by Jess Gray on the Pearl Coast.
Yarradale graduate The Great Hoya (Patronize) kicked off at Belmont last weekend and fellow graduate No Brainer (So You Think) won on debut at Bunbury on Thursday. The Hill Tribe also opened his account for former Yarradale sire War Chant (USA) at Belmont on Wednesday.
Ginger Green set the scene for a successful Saturday in the opening race at Belmont. Trainer Steve Wolfe is on record as saying the gelding is no superstar but he has overcome hind-leg issues and was posting his 7th victory in the Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1600m).
Berbere / Photo: Western Racepix
Cue to Race 5 and Berbere didn’t give favourite punters any cause for concern in the Craig Yeo Memorial (1400m). Sent straight to the front by Pike, he cruised home by the best part of four lengths from Doctor Jay (War Chant) and Advanced (Playing God).
“He flipped the script on his last start but he’s a stable favourite and that made it 4 wins in 8 starts,” co-trainer Grant Williams reported. “We have to be careful with his knees but he’s been a great addition to the team.”
Berbere (4g Gingerbread Man – Habenera by War Chant) was a $33,000 purchase for Ian O’Connor from Yarradale at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions and has since returned $194,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $76,250.
Habenera was a York winner for Geisel Park and her 2yo is an unraced Gingerbread Man filly named Come On Emma with trainer Simon Miller and Rapid Equine’s Neil Irvine. The mare’s yearling colt by Bradbury’s Luck was a $70,000 buy for Dan Morton from Yarradale’s consignment to the Perth Magic Millions in February.
Williams had no sooner completed his post-race commitments at Belmont before Ginger Jones broke a long run of outs in the Toombridge Hcp (1200m) in Broome. He settled at the tail of a six-horse field and caught them all off-guard with a rails run to score by four lengths under Jess Gray.
Ginger Jones (8g Gingerbread Man – Fiorentina by Dubai Destination) is a half-brother to Moonee Valley Group 1 winner Silent Sedition (War Chant) and he won twice at Caulfield before returning to WA.
Ironically, his last win had been with Pike in the saddle at Mornington in March 2021 but a repeat of Saturday’s runaway result will give trainer Darryn Pateman plenty of confidence for the remainder of his current prep on the Pearl Coast.
Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) stands at Yarradale for a $5,500 (inc GST) service fee. Stud manager Davy Hanratty can be contacted for further details on (08) 9574 6490 or 0429 326 904.
