Daily Double at Stawell

A successful day for Ballymore at Stawell on Easter Sunday, our two runners - Lordoftheparrots and Can Get Thirsty taking out the two legs of the daily double.

And both impressively too!

Superby ridden by an in-form Lisa Cropp, the lightly raced and highly promising Lordoftheparrots outclassed his rivals in the Stawell Cup - the third success of his ten start career.

Taking the lead at the 1000m off a slow pace, the four-year-old settled well, getting clear before the turn and racing away over the final stages, the winning margin a soft 4.3 lengths.

"When I asked for an effort he just sprinted away," Cropp enthused, enjoying her first ever visit to Stawell.

"He had heaps in store, I didn't even ask for the supreme effort!"

Raced by Rohan Aujard, Paul Williams, Rhett Tregunna, James Banaghan, David & Brenda Duchen, Paul Duchen, Marie Temler, the GG Syndicate Ltd and 3d Syndications, Lordoftheparrots (by the two times Hong Kong Group winner Lord Of Warriors) is proving quite the bargain, having been spotted by Paul Moroney as a yearling who laid down just NZ$12,000 for him.

"He is a very promising stayer," said the stable's Greg Hoysted, "and he is a lovey horse to have around the stables - he is a real favourite."

Similar ownership - Rohan Aujard, Paul Williams, James Banaghan, Rhett Tregunna, Ross Latham, Graham Jennings, David & Paul Duchen, the GG Syndicate and 3d Syndications - in our second Sunday winner, Can Get Thirsty too tough in the 2000m ratings event.

Settling nicely behind the leader, the lightly raced four-year-old took over when the pace slackened - kicking at the turn and finding plenty when challenged over the final furlong.

"The team is really firing!" said Lisa Cropp upon dismounting, "this horse still has a lot to learn but he is on his way up. He did lay in and out a bit over the final stages but he gave me a great feel."

A three times winner from just six starts, Can Get Thirsty was also a great buy for Paul - a NZ$17,000 Festival Sale purchase.

Congrats also to the connections of Muirfield who was so game on the heavy going at Randwick on Saturday, a gallant third in the Gr.3 Frank Packer Plate.