Folklore has it an acorn doesn’t fall from the tree and that was evident when applied to a free-wheeling winner by that name in the Country Comfort Maiden (1000m) at Bunbury yesterday.
The winner in question is an Oakland Park homebred named Acorn whose parents happen to be Group 2 Randwick winner Sessions (Lonhro) and Listed La Trice Classic (1600m) winner Vampi Lass (Bletchley Park).
Acorn (Photo / Western Racepix) is raced by Oakland Park owners Neville and Susan Duncan in partnership with the stud’s long-time managers Adrian Brown and Kelly O’Neill and trainer Adam Durrant.
The 4yo gelding jumped straight to the front second time out for Willie Pike and it was an easy watch when he accelerated in the straight to score by more than two lengths over Lemmor (Rommel).
“He’s fast and Willie did what’s best…he let him be fast,” Brown said. “He’s a good-looker and very powerful but did have some behavioural issues that Adam has rectified. He’s a happy horse now and settles much better so hopefully he can go on with it this prep.”
The Duncans purchased his dam Vampi Lass for $70,000 at the 2020 Mungrup Stud Dispersal. She has foaled four winners from as many starters following The Lady Is A Vamp (I’m All The Talk), Vampi At Play (Playing God) and Lord Vampi (Playing God) who claimed last year’s LR John Roberts Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.
“Her 3yo filly Vampi Queen (Maschino) was retained by Neville and Susan and she’s with Pearce Racing,” Brown continued. “Vampi Lass has a yearling colt by Sessions and we expect her back home from the Hunter Valley this weekend with a positive to Harry Angel (Ire) at Darley Stud.”
Sessions has a 64% winning strike-rate and he stands alongside Ingratiating (Frosted) at Oakland Park. They’re both serving for $9,900 (inc GST) service fees this season.
Brown reports the first foals by Ingratiating are outstanding individuals and his second book will top 90 mares. “They’re all quality and look forward types. And it’s reassuring hearing from breeders who are booking back on the strength of those first foals.”
Hoofnote: Oakland Park homebred Pure Excess (Exceedence) has opened at $5.50 for the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot tomorrow. She struck trouble in the final stages when third home in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) last week and is on the third line of markets below Talkanco ($2.35) and Playin’it Sweet ($4) who filled out the Burgess Queen quinella on Melbourne Cup Day.
