Ridgeport Farm resident Rommel sired his second winner this week when Morf led from barrier to box for Holly Nottle in the Cuprum Distillery Maiden (1400m) at Bunbury on Wednesday.
Morf (3g Rommel – From Fromm by Big Brown) was bred by Ridgeport Farm owner Santo Guagliardo and was fancied to break his duck after a last-start second to Western Ace (I’m All The Talk) at Ascot. He hit the ground running and, apart from a brief challenge by Carentan (Leonardo da Hinchi) coming to the corner, only required a few reminders from Nottle to see off late closers Flavoursome (Toronado) and Back To Bondi (Bondi). Photo / Western Racepix
As an added bonus for Guagliardo – he has also entered a Lightsaber half-brother to Morf as Lot 351 for the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale on Friday, February 20. Their dam From Fromm is an unraced half-sister to Battle Hero (Stratum) who won to Group 3 level in a Roma Cup (1200m) and Northam Sprint (1100m).
“The Lightsaber is a nice colt and is similar to Morf,” Ridgeport manager Marge Ojapold reported. “There’s a presence about him when he walks and he’s already 460kg. We have another filly (Lot 120) and colt (Lot 264) from the first crop by Lightsaber and all three are strong, physical types.”
Lightsaber is the only son of champion sire Zoustar based in WA and he stands at Darling View Thoroughbreds after career highlights in the 2022 G2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m).
Bold Hero (5g Rommel – River Hussy by Husson) was the earlier winner this week for Rommel in the Drummond Golf Hcp (1500m) at Ascot on Saturday. That made it 4 wins from 9 starts for the lightly-raced miler and it sent his earnings to $224,000 including $72,000 in Westspeed bonuses.
Ojapold bred Bold Hero in partnership with Graham White and sold him for $60,000 through the Ridgeport draft to the 2022 Perth Magic Millions. They also bred and race this season’s G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) winner Watch Me Rock (Awesome Rock) after he failed to reach a $40,000 reserve at that same 2022 Perth Magic Millions.
Ridgeport Farm has 16 yearlings parading at the Perth Magic Millions with Rommel, Playing God and Lightsaber leading the way with three lots each. The consignment will be housed in Barn D at the Swan Valley Salegrounds.
