Lynward Park mare Twinkle Toes (Ire) was represented by a fourth black-type winner on Saturday when her 3yo filly Petrouchka received a Group 1 ride from Willie Pike to land the Group 3 Belmont Oaks (2000m).
Petrouchka tracked Luvnwar (NZ) for every step of the classic before shifting into clear running at the top of the straight. She passed the favourite inside the furlong and was good value for a three-quarter length victory at $3.30.
Petrouchka is a daughter of Vinery Stud’s legendary shuttler More Than Ready (USA) and her Irish-bred dam Twinkle Toes (Danehill) has already foaled I’m Feeling Lucky (G3 La Trice Classic), Utgard Loki (LR Bull & Bush Cup) and Baronova (LR Belmont Classic).
Lynward Park’s Ted and Troy van Heemst return to scale with Petrouchka (Photo / Western Racepix)
Bloodstock agent John Chalmers had purchased Twinkle Toes for Lynward Park from Coolmore Stud for $72,500 in 2008. She’s a close relation of Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Maybe (Galileo).
Petrouchka won a Northam 1400m maiden last month and her eye-catching second behind Luvnwar in the LR Belmont Guineas (1600m) put the writing on wall for the Belmont Oaks.
“We’ve been away in Bali so can’t take any of the credit,” co-trainer Grant Williams admitted. “She did pull a shoe while we were on holidays and our staff – especially Jas McAuliffe – did a great job getting her ready.”
The Lynward Park homebred is the 227th individual Stakes-winner by More Than Ready and the More Than Ready – Danehill cross has produced 114 individual winners at a 68% strike-rate. Among them are WA Oaks winners Dreamaway (2011) and Moreish (2013).
“She’s always wanted a trip and the sky’s the limit for Petrouchka,” Pike said. “I respect Luvnwar and the plan was to settle on her back and not take anything for granted. I wanted to be right on top of things when we straightened.”
Lynward Park stands Snitzel sire Bondi for an unchanged $6,600 (inc GST) service fee this season. For further information, contact Troy van Heemst (0439 957 111) or John Chalmers (0418 948 604)
