Winning connections will let the dust settle before making a decision whether to send Opportunistic for a spell or keep him in work for the LR Aquanita Stakes (2000m) at Bunbury on July 12.
The Lynward Park-bred graduate had won the LR Raconteur Stakes (1400m) earlier this month and doubled up with a dominant victory in the LR Belmont Guineas (1600m) at Pinjarra on Saturday. After a slow getaway, he overcame a bump on the corner and then let down to overwhelm front-runner Wind And The Lion (Written By).
Opportunistic joins Variation (War Chant) in 2017, Kay Cee (Playing God) in 2020 and Devoted (Xtravagant) in 2022 as the fourth horse to complete that double since the Raconteur was transferred from the Ascot summer carnival.
“I don’t know where the ceiling is but he gives me an unreal feel,” winning jockey Clint Johnston-Porter said. “He’s a nice horse and was travelling good today. Once the run came, he shifted gears and really attacked them.”
Opportunistic (Photo / Western Racepix) did best of the back-markers to defeat the favourite Storyville (Overshare) and Elite Missile (Smart Missile). It sent his earnings through $200,000 for trainer Michael Grantham and Bob Peters who bought him for $200,000 from Lynward Park at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions.
Last week, Grantham told RWWA that Opportunistic had done everything right in the lead-up to the Belmont Guineas. “It’s at set-weights and penalties so we meet everyone equal. If he does go well, you know that we’re putting him away for a reason and come back for the summer.”
Post-race, Peters said a decision on the Aquanita can wait a few days. “If everything is okay we could go that way but he does look at least a 2000m horse to me.”
Opportunistic is by Coolmore Stud’s Cox Plate Champion So You Think (High Chaparral) and among his black-type progeny is the Peters Investments G2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner Midnight Blue and Opportunistic can plot a similar path towards the Cup’s 2026 renewal on New Year’s Day.
Peters Investments also purchased a $280,000 So You Think – Majesty (Fastnet Rock) filly foal at the 2024 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast. Subsequently named So Majestic and now a month away from turning two, she is a half-sister to Lady Of Honour (No Nay Never) who has won Listed races in Queensland (Eye Liner Stakes) and Melbourne (Twilight Glow Stakes).
Lynward Park bred Opportunistic from G3 La Trice Classic winner I’m Feeling Lucky (Bletchley Park) who is a half-sister to Utgard Loki (LR Bull & Bush Cup), Baronova (LR Belmont Classic) and Petrouchka (LR Belmont Oaks).
I’m Feeling Lucky’s 2yo Wynn Las Vegas (Yes Yes Yes) won a Lark Hill 2yo barrier trial for Williams Racing in April and the mare has a yearling filly by sire sensation Wootton Bassett (GB) and weanling colt by Pierata.
