Blue Rocket was named TBWA Winner Of The Week last Tuesday and the Oakland Park homebred filly also went nationwide as the ANZ Bloodstock Winner Of The Week.
Oakland Park has gone back-to-back with Bustling this week after he bolted in when racing first-up at Ascot on Saturday. Backed from $6 into $4.20, he took up a forward position with Battle Commander (Rommel) before going clear by two lengths in the Amelia Park Plate (1200m).
“He led them up in a Belmont trial and I left it to Brad (Parnham) today,” trainer Dan Morton said. “He sprung the lids again and was very positive in running. He’s a very nice horse and we have a big opinion of him.
“He’s our first 2yo starter of the season and that’s been timed by design. We gave him a break between trials last month with a view to the Karrakatta.”
Morton prepared Super Smink (Super One) to win last year’s G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) and this year’s edition is scheduled for Saturday, April 20. She added the G3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) a fortnight later and Morton believes Bustling can also stretch out another furlong.
So does Parnham. “Danny’s very keen to head towards the Karrakatta and this horse is a progressive type with a fair bit of improvement to come. He drew well today and I was reluctant to give it up in front. He responded under pressure and had a kick to get out of trouble.”
Bustling is by Frosted (USA) who shuttles to Darley’s Victorian base at Northwood Park in Seymour. His dam Busimiss wasn’t sold as a yearling by Oakland Park as she didn’t make the final list as suitable for the ‘Select’ category at the 2012 Magic Millions Sale.
Busimiss won two Ascot nurseries for trainer Fred Kersley before earning black-type with Listed placings in the Supremacy Stakes and Gimcrack Stakes. She has three winners from three foals and her latest is a filly by Sessions before being bred back to the Oakland Park stallion in November.
