Mt Hallowell Stud owner-breeder Craig Thompson rated Gage Roads much better than a $40,000 yearling in 2021 and, not for the first time, that was confirmed in the Congratulations Luke Campbell Hcp (1600m) on Saturday.
Gage Roads (6g Gold Standard – Royale Faux Pas by Al Maher) stalked front-runner Showlas (Showtime) and kicked clear in the straight for Shaun McGruddy to defeat the favourite by more than a length with No Peer (Nicconi) working home to fill out the trifecta.
Thompson took him back home when bidding stalled on $40,000 at that Magic Millions Yearling Sale and a fourth victory on the weekend sent his earnings to $192,200. He’s also earned black-type with a Listed placing in the Bunbury Breeders Classic (1400m).
“He deserved that and it’s great for Graig and McGruddy,” trainer Steve Wolfe said at the Pinjarra meeting that had been transferred from Belmont. “We took all the gear off but kept the winkers on. He’s got a few tricks but put the others away today.”
Gage Roads (Photo / Western Racepix) is by Gold Standard who was a homebred for Thompson and his wife Rose. He won a G2 Stan Fox Stakes (1200m) in Sydney and they retained an interest in the Sebring sire who stands at Widden Stud’s Victorian base at Kerrie. He’s the third winner from Royale Faux Pas and she is a half-sister to G2 VRC Kewney Stakes winner Elegant Fashion.
Gold Standard sired Sheeza Belter to win the RL Magic Millions WA Classic (1200m) in 2022 sporting Justin Warwick’s colours and she transferred to Snowden Racing to claim a Group 1 in the J J Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
The Thompsons bred and sold Sheeza Belter for $50,000 as a yearling at the Perth Magic Millions – just six lots after they retained Gage Roads at that same sale on February 18 in 2021.
She was later sold as a broodmare prospect for $1.35 million to Yulong Investments and her first foal is a new-season yearling filly by Alabama Express.
“I guess Gold Standard is an unknown quantity here in Western Australia but he was a top-class racehorse for us,” Thompson said after Sheeza Belter won her Group 1. “We retained 10 lifetime shares and he’s by a son of one of my favourite sires More Than Ready (USA).”
Mt Hallowell’s gold and purple colours have also been seen to advantage in the Eastern States apart from Luke’s Luck (G2 Karrakatta Plate) and King Saul (G2 WA Guineas) in Perth. They include Pornichet (G1 Doomben Cup), Hallowell Belle (G2 Gilgai Stakes), Hush Writer (G2 Newcastle Cup), Wolfe (G3 Coongy Cup) and Santos (G3 Skyline Stakes).
