BATTLE SOUND WINS ON DEBUT TO GOOD EFFECT

In a somewhat unbelievable performance, Battle Sound (3 g Belardo – Tiff And Co, by O’Reilly) won on debut in the $14,000 Dave O’Sullivan OBE Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on Life Members Race Day, 7 September, at Matamata.

Having found heavy footing too testing in a trial on 16 August at Avondale, but otherwise solid through the trials stage, Battle Sound was clear last and chasing, about 15 lengths from the leader 600m out, but after circling widest rounding the home turn he sustained a huge finish to engulf the rivals.

On footing that withstood heavy rain earlier in the week, but recovered to rate Heavy8, Battle Sound ran 1200 metres in 1:14.5, last 600m in 36.8, and drifted in betting to pay $28.90 & $6.90 on the TAB tote.

Battle Sound was ridden by apprentice Lemmy Douglas, who claimed three-kilos to carry 54.5kg. “He was pretty green, but once he got balanced in the straight he was off and gone and finished really well,” Douglas said.

Selected by Paul Moroney and purchased for $60,000 at the 2021 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, Battle Sound is owned by Rupert & Cheryl Legh, Adrian Mathieson, Kerrie Fox, Pegasus Bloodstock, The Scone Carnival Boys Syndicate, and RSA Racing The Bear Syndicate.

“He’s from an international family bred by Lady Tavistock and more recently in conjunction with Waikato Stud,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard.

“We really liked him and managed to get him at a good price after he was passed in at the sales, where he had a scar on the point of his hock – probably something that occurred as a foal – but it poses no problem.”

Battle Sound has a nomination for the $550,000 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 5 November at Riccarton.

“We’ll let the dust settle and I’ll talk to Mike (Moroney) about what he may do next,” Gerard said.

“He’s probably a bit immature for something like that, but in saying that, they’re only three once. So, he might go to one of the Guineas races and we can see how he measures up.”

There to present the spoils was Dave O’Sullivan, who shifted in 1960 to begin training in Matamata, and during his time was Club President and Patron.

“I’ve a great life in Matamata, and I’m very happy with how it went,” O’Sullivan said.

Accepting on behalf of the owners, Neil Bartosh said: “Thank you to Pam and the team, thank you to the Matamata Racing Club, and to Mr. O’Sullivan.

“I’m part of the RSA Syndicate. When we branched out with Pam we picked up a horse called On The Rocks and today’s winner is the 28th since I started the syndicate.”

Battle Sound was strapped by Samut Samir.

Image: courtesy of Kenton Wright, Race Images