Pearce Racing floated Surf Patrol down to the Great Southern on Thursday and Natasha Faithfull helped the 3yo look a good thing winning the Emu Point Maiden (1230m).
Starting a $2.10 favourite third time out, he was good value even at that short quote after flying home over shorter trips at Northam in October and at Bunbury in November. “Surf Patrol broke his maiden status nicely at Albany today,” Pearce Racing posted on Facebook. “And thank you Tash for the great ride.”
Taking advantage of an inside gate, Surf Patrol steadied behind early front-runner Capable Angel (Playing God) before Missijay (Fiorente) took over to avoid being caught wide. Faithfull eased off their heels into the straight and swooped down middle of track to score by three-quarters of a length.
Stewards reported Surf Patrol raced greenly in the straight, however, he was a cut above the opposition and is bred to make the grade as a son of Lynward Park stallion Bondi (Snitzel) and All Friared Up (Blackfriars) who won the LR Beaufine Stakes (1000m) at Belmont in 2011.
After commencing her stud career in NSW, All Friared Up changed hands at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast when agent John Chalmers bid $50,000 on behalf of Lynward Park. All Friared Up foaled Bondi’s first winner when Krysanova was successful at Ascot in March 2023 and she has a yearling colt and weanling colt by him at Bullsbrook.
Other recent Lynward Park-bred winners include Simply Thinkin’ (So You Think) who defeated Charlie Jane (Universal Ruler) at her penultimate start at Northam. “Charlie Jane gave a lot of cheek in front,” trainer Adam Durrant posted. “But Simply Thinkin’ had a sweet run throughout and she was too strong late!”
Her dam Simplyirresistible (Royal Academy) has a 3yo filly and 2yo filly by resident sire Bondi (Snitzel) and she was pensioned after foaling colts by Gingerbread Man in November 2023 and October 2024.
Lynward Park’s classy homebred Petrouchka is winding up for a summer campaign after winning the LR Belmont Oaks (2000m) in July. She motored home for fifth behind The Boss Lady (Street Boss) when resuming in the LR Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) last Saturday.
Co-trainer Grant Williams had suggested there’s untapped improvement in the daughter of More Than Ready (USA). “There was a bit of extra condition when she came back from the paddock,” Williams admitted. “We’ve got work to do but she’s got time.”
Enough time to have her stripping fit for more black-type over 2000m in a race like the $150,000 LR Bunbury Cup on Saturday, March 8.
