Gangemi Thoroughbreds has started the 2023-24 season on fire with feature winners Phanta (LR Belmont Newmarket) and Long Beach (Jolly Beggar Stakes).
There’s also been a bonus for co-trainers Chris and Michael Gangemi with two recent city winners by King’s Troop (Redoute’s Choice) who they stand with Wayne and Tracy Rodwell at Roselee Park in Serpentine.
Patron Of Kings is unbeaten following two victories in August and he’s on a Belmont hat-trick this Saturday. His most recent victory in the Schweppes Hcp (1200m) wasn’t without a nervous wait at the barriers when the start was delayed several minutes.
“It wasn’t ideal but at least he wasn’t already in the gates,” a relieved co-trainer Chris Gangemi said. “It helps having Jarrad (Noske) on board because he knows the horse.”
Patron Of Kings (Photo / Western Racepix) is the final foal of former smart mare Salavat (Soviet Lad) who won a half-dozen Perth sprints for trainer Bob Turrell.
“He races with a Compression Hood and Ear Muffs and we have to put them on every time he leaves his yard. One day we might be able to remove them but, for now, he needs them to behave.”
Kings Flirt has won two of her three starts at Belmont and was only beaten a long-neck by Banks Avenue in the other outing when racing first-up last month.
Trained by Robert Matthews at Bullsbrook, she couldn’t have been more impressive with a front-running six-length runaway on debut last season.
Last week’s last-stride victory, after spotting City Angel (City Place) three lengths at the 200m mark, confirmed Kyra Yuill’s comments following that first win. “She pinged the lids in her trial at Lark Hill and I wanted to sit off the speed today. I hit her for the first and she just clicked into life. She’s very professional.”
Her dam Le Flirt (McFlirt) has thrown winners by Blackfriars and McFlirt and she has a 2yo filly and yearling filly by God Has Spoken.
The King’s Troop pair augment a powerful team being assembled by Gangemi Thoroughbreds this season. Patron Of Kings will be in action with Long Beach (I Am Invincible) and Tadweer (Written Tycoon) this Saturday and Phanta (Gingerbread Man) is being set for the LR Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m) later this month.
Other open-class stablemates ready to resume include Massimo (Sessions), Clemenceau (Capitalist), Titan Blinders (All Too Hard) and Go Forward (Written Tycoon).
King’s Troop is standing for an introductory $4,400 (inc GST) service fee at Roselee Park this season. He’s a Redoute’s Choice three-quarter brother to Snitzel and his dam is a half-sister to Hinchinbrook.
For bookings or further information, contact Tracy Rodwell on 0400 011 691 or trodwell@bigpond.com
