De Grandhomme continued his upward progression in city ranks with an on-pace victory for in-form trainer Adam Durrant in the Morley Growers Market Hcp (1200m) on Saturday.
The Lynward Park-bred graduate is on a hat-trick at Ascot after tracking Chino La Diva (Maschino) in the running line and then claiming front-runner Lucky I Am (Universal Ruler) to score by a half-length under Lucy Fiore.
De Grandhomme (4g Star Turn – Black In Time by Blackfriars) won a Bunbury maiden twelve months ago and returned this season to land a Geraldton Class 2 before opening his city account last month.
Bred and sold by Lynward Park’s Ted and Marilyn van Heemst for $60,000 at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions, he’s by Vinery sire Star Turn from Black In Time who is a full-sister to Full Reign (LR Challenge Stakes) and Impact Rating (LR KBRC Boulder Cup). She’s also a three-quarter sister Exquisite Timing (LR Aquanita Stakes).
“That’s a super result and he’s stepping up in grade nicely,” Durrant Racing spokesman Jordan Rolfe confirmed. “Adam has him in fantastic order and he performed accordingly. I thought the form out of his last win wasn’t that flash but he proved me wrong and Adam right!”
De Grandhomme (yellow cap) wins at Ascot / Photo: Western Racepix
Like Durrant, Fiore was also confident. “There was speed on paper and he travelled from the good gate. Adam has been spacing his runs and had him right today.”
Black in Time won six city sprints for trainer Jim Taylor and De Grandhomme is her seventh winner from seven to race. Her final foal Back To Bondi (Bondi) is a 3yo November foal and he’s been nominated to debut by trainer Trevor Andrews for a Pinjarra maiden on Thursday, 15 January.
