He’s Archie continued the winning run of Rangeview Stud at Pinjarra on Thursday with an overdue victory in the Alcoa Hcp (1200m) for part-owner and breeder Jerry Stelmach.
Given the run of the race by Clint Johnston-Porter, He’s Archie (Galah) tracked fellow Rangeview-sired front-runner Lot Ho (So Secret) before easing off heels to greet the judge for the first time since a Bunbury maiden in February.
Trained by Stelmach’s wife Chris, He’s Archie is the fifth and final winner from Lady Wildfire (Octagonal) who was pensioned in 2021. The mare had been bought for $21,000 from Woodlands Stud and had foaled earlier Galah winners Delta Anne & Wild Galah.
He’s Archie (Photo / Western Racepix) is one of Galah’s 12 individual winners for the Stelmachs and they’ve saluted in 37 races at an 80% strike-rate. Their daughter Ash Stelmach is hoping her Galah gelding Desennea can also break a run of outs in the George Ready Memorial (2100m) at Belmont this Saturday. He’s been runner-up three times since an Ascot victory in December.
Galah (Redoute’s Choice) covered six books at Rangeview Stud and his chief earner Let’s Galahvant ($850,000) added more black-type to his resume in the G3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Belmont on June 15. Pearce Racing will send him east for a Melbourne spring campaign or target a Group 1 locally in the $1.5 million Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 23.
Rangeview also bred promising 3yo filly Rissoles (Playing God) to win a Belmont maiden last Wednesday and the Burekup nursery struck again with Bird’s The Word in the $100,000 Westspeed Platinum Winter Series Final (1400m) on Saturday.
Bird’s The Word (4g Galah – Wise Talk by So Secret) is a stablemate of Let’s Galahvant and was a bargain $12,000 buy out of the Rangeview consignment to the 2021 Perth Magic Millions. He was headed in the straight but fought back for a brave victory in a four-way finish to increase his earnings to $300,000.
“That’s 20 wins between our two by Galah,” co-trainer Ben Pearce said. “They’re really tough gallopers and Bird’s The Word was entitled to give it away but keep fighting all the way to the line. He loves wet tracks so there could be more wins to come during winter.
“The Westspeed 4yo extension also meant a $20,000 bonus on top of a race worth $100,000. For a small investment, that’s a great result.”
His dam Wise Talk has a yearling colt and filly foal by Rangeview sire Long Leaf. They are three-quarter relations to Mai Aloha who was first past the post in the Amelia Park Plate (1000m) at Belmont last Wednesday only to lose the race on protest.
Mai Aloha (2f Long Leaf – Real Hi by Real Jester) will make amends for that first-up loss according to jockey Clint Johnston-Porter. “She did it on her ear but was hanging out all the way down the straight. She was very green and it felt like she wanted to head back to the mounting yard.
“She’s a very nice filly and the experience alone out of today will bring her on heaps.”
Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) stands for a $5,500 (inc GST) service fee and Rangeview owner Rob Gray can be contacted for bookings or further information on 0409 243 461.
Hoofnote: Galah had been sold to stand in China, however, international travel restrictions meant his stud career was put on hold at Zhongli Thoroughbreds in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
The 15 year-old stallion was sold to stand in Victoria last week and will cover his first book at Tarrington Stud in the Western Districts at Hamilton. Studmaster Gavin Hurley (0448 869 627) will set a service fee in the next week for Galah.
