Oakland Park Stud resident Shooting To Win (Northern Meteor) sired his 11th individual black-type winner when McHale sprang surprise in the G3 Bill Ritchie Hcp (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
McHale (4g Shooting To Win – Xaar’s Jewel by Xaar) belied a $26 quote when coming from the back-half of the field to score a narrow victory over Gringotts (Per Incanto). He was racing first-up since a Group 3 placing in the Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.
The Bill Ritchie result gives him a ballot exemption into the G1 Epsom Hcp (1600m) at Randwick on October 5. “He had the run of the race and it was a nice ride from Rachel (King),” trainer Chris Waller said. “I was surprised to see his odds earlier today. He’s a good horse and now I guess we have a look at the Epsom.”
Waller has captured the Bill Ritchie – Epsom double three times with Boban (Bernardini) in 2013, Kolding (Ocean Park) in 2019 and Rediener (Redoute’s Choice) in 2023.
McHale (pictured) was a $160,000 purchase for Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and has now banked $319,000 ahead of the Epsom which carries $1.5million in prizemoney.
His dam Xaar’s Jewel also delivered Group 2 winners Ninth Legion (ATC Villiers Stakes) and Tsaritsa (QTC Queensland Guineas) and her final foal is a 2yo filly named Insain Jewel (Zousain) with trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald.
Shooting To Win’s first Oakland Park-conceived yearlings will parade at the 2025 Perth Magic Millions. There’s been numerous winners recently at home and abroad with Camera Action saluting for owner-breeder Wally Daly at Belmont on Wednesday while Lucky Hero (Singapore) and Charmander (Hong Kong) also scored off-shore last week.
Initially based at Darley Kelvinside in the Hunter Valley, Shooting To Win has an overall 61% strike-rate with the best of his Group 1 winners arriving in the west with Dom To Shoot in the 2023 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.
Oakland Park stands Shooting To Win for $9,900 alongside Sessions ($8,800) and newcomer Ingratiating ($9,000). All fees (inc GST). For bookings or further information, call Neville Duncan (0417 200 097) or stud manager Adrian Brown (0438 944 299).
