Yarradale Stud champion War Chant (USA) started the New Year in style with seven individual winners in the first fortnight of 2022 starting with Chantorque at Ascot on Perth Cup Day
Express Time book-ended the winning run at Ascot last Saturday. The Yarradale-bred graduate is trained by Neville Parnham for his wife Carol, Yarradale owner Ron Sayers, Santo Guagliardo and Bob Pearson.
Chantorque is leased by trainer Russell Stewart and his wife Antonella off Queenslea Park breeders Alan & Helen Morton and they race her with a large syndicate (pictured) that have banked $436,660 boosted by Westspeed bonuses of $162,800.
She has been a valuable broodmare prospect since winning LR Placid Ark Stakes in 2020 and the latest victory in the Crown Perth Hcp (1200m) improved her record to 6 wins in 15 starts.
“She’s a super little filly and isn’t far off top class,” Stewart said after she defeated last-start TBWA Stallion Tender Scheme Trophy (1200m) winner Son Son (Rogano). “And she goes so well for ‘Shooter’ (McGruddy).
“I legged him up when the bell went said, ‘I don’t need to tell you anything’. And he rode her perfect.”
Chantorque (4m War Chant – Contortion by Redoute’s Choice) will have a break before returning for races like the LR Pinjarra Classic (1300m) on February 20 and LR Bunbury Stakes (1400m) on March 5.
Stewart is also considering the Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m) and LR Sheila Gwynne Classic (1400m) in April in what could be her final season before retiring to stud.
The Mortons welcomed a War Chant full-brother to Chantorque at their Wandering property in October. They also retained her unraced full-sister Jelcombine and she was a late cover for Gingerbread Man in December.
Meanwhile, Express Time continues to confirm the high rating held by Parnham following a narrow victory in the Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1200m). “I’ve always had a pretty good opinion of her,” Parnham said. “But being so highly-strung meant she took longer to show all that ability on raceday.”
Express Time’s dam Even Astar (Kendel Star) was a Listed winner of the Belgravia Stakes and Burgess Queen Stakes in 2010. She has a yearling filly by War Chant and a filly foal by Playing God at Yarradale.