Troy Turner had a handful of horse aboard Surfside Session approaching the home turn at Belmont on Wednesday and the lightly-raced gelding balanced up like a horse going places for trainer Colin Webster and Krisman Park owner-breeder Phil Bruce.
Surfside Session (Photo / Western Racepix) led home a quinella for Oakland Park sire Sessions in the Drummond Golf Hcp (1000m) and it was also a family quinella for Troy and his son Jordie who rode runner-up Sesh.
Racing second-up after an initial prep that kicked off with a Northam maiden win last October, he scored by three-quarters of a length as a short-priced favourite from Sesh with another two-lengths to De Grandhomme (Star Turn).
Phil Bruce is currently in China on business with his wife Christine and was more than happy to talk about Surfside Session when TBWA called on Thursday. “I went across to the Gold Coast with Colin in 2014 and bought his dam I Do De Claire (Not A Single Doubt) for $80,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
“Racing is a hobby for us and she paid her way winning at Ascot and the provincials. Surfside Session is her first winner and we named him while celebrating Christine’s 70th birthday in Hawaii. It was during a sunset session near the surf in a bar named after the Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku.”
I Do De Claire’s most recent foals are a 2yo filly by Playing God and a yearling colt by Long Leaf. She is also due next month off a November cover to Oakland Park stallion Ingratiating.
Phil and Christine are based at Dardanup and they’ve already bred and raced Ascot winner Sessions Peak (Sessions) with Webster. Other Ascot winners with the stable include the Blackfriars sisters Pearls From Heaven and Crystal Valley.
“They rolled along today and that suited Surfside Session. So did the (Heavy 8) conditions,” Webster said. “Troy knows him and took a hold. He’s promising but still green so we will give him a couple more runs this time in. He will be a lot better horse once he matures.”
