Ridgeport Farm landed its latest interstate winner with Peta’s Heart (Pierro) at Balaklava on Wednesday and then doubled up hours later with Desert Whisper (Rommel) at Belmont.
Peta’s Heart (pictured) was placed on debut over 1400m last month and made it look easy with a hollow victory in the Clare Valley Toyota Maiden Plate (1600m). Stepping up to a mile in driving rain, she made a long run around the field to score by four lengths from Bare Minimum (So You Think) and Hard Leaf (Long Leaf).
“She’s going to make a nice stayer,” co-trainer Will Clarken predicted as Jess Eaton returned to scale on the winner. “She has bounced back from a few injuries and hard tracks and took great benefit from that first-up effort. And full credit to Jess because she can be hard work at home.”
Peta’s Heart (4m Pierro – Iheartpoppy by Fastnet Rock) was a $150,000 buy for Clarken Bloodstock on behalf of Ridgeport Farm owner Santo Guagliardo at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. She is from a half-sister to 2007 VRC Oaks winner Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer) whose daughter Miami Bound (Reliable Man) also won the Flemington Group 1 classic in 2019.
“She’s a decent physical with a good page,” Clarken continued. “We had a successful carnival with Santo. He’s a great supporter and hopefully this mare can keep improving.”
Desert Whisper had won a Pinjarra maiden last month and the Ridgeport graduate was always in control after anticipating the start of the National Pump & Energy Hcp (1000m) on Wednesday.
Newcomer Sixinch Heels (Nicconi) kept her honest in running before giving ground when apprentice Madi Derrick went for the even-money favourite coming off the corner. “She’s on the small side and the claim meant she didn’t have to carry 59kg,” trainer Luke Fernie said at Belmont. “Madi jumped her quickly from the wide gate and she really stretched out in the straight.”
Desert Whisper (3f Rommel – Faerie Whisper by Snitzel) was bred and sold by Ridgeport Holdings for $34,000 to Belhus Racing at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions. She’s already paid that back with prizemoney of $82,000 including $32,000 in Westspeed Bonuses.
She’s the first foal of Faerie Whisper who had been purchased by Guagliardo for $120,000 at the 2015 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. She won at Ascot and Belmont and her second Rommel filly was bought by trainer David Harrison for $100,000 at this year’s Magic Millions.
Rommel (Commands) stands for a $6,600 service fee at Ridgeport Farm alongside Ducimus (Snitzel) at $5,500. Both fees (inc GST). For bookings or more information, contact Marge Ojapold (0497 478 231), Grant Burns (0410 683 470), Steve Hoare (0409 987 970).
