Merry Christmas from Ballymore

After enduring a tough first up run at Seymour in mid-November, Brillanconi bounced quickly back to his best at Kilmore on Tuesday – the tough four-year-old always travelling like the winner in the 72 ratings mile.

Jumping straight the front for Chris Symons, Brillanconi conceded the lead at the 500m – the pace going on. But he refused to give in, fighting the race right out to the line – drawing clear by nearly a length from the smart Red Hustler.

A horse who boasts a good winning strike rate, Brillanconi has now won four of his 12 starts and there is still scope for improvement with plenty of nice races for him over the summer months.

Raced by Terence, Bernadette and Caitlin Tobin, Brillanconi boasts a very Victorian pedigree, being a son of Swettenham Stud’s reliable stallion Bianconi out of Thrilladilla – daughter of the now retired stalwart Umatilla.

Thrilladilla, a half sister to the Listed winner Matsqui, is out of a half sister to the dual Group winner Tangent, the Listed winner Cub Caper and the Hong Kong Derby runner up Bright Fire.

The stable has been enjoying a good run of late and we cheered home another winner at Seymour on Thursday, Elite Spy leading throughout to take out the Bar Landy Restaurant Handicap.

Having his first run back from a spell, the lightly raced 4Y0 was full of running at the top of the straight and just kept going strongly as others chased in vain.

"He was very strong to the line," said jockey Luke Currie, adding that he relaxed in the style of a horse "who will get further later."

Elite Spy is a home-bred for Tony Talarico who races the son of Special Bond with Giannino Talarico, Bill Ozzimo and Jack Stojkovic. Elite Spy's dam is the unraced Hatta's Mill mare Sarashi who hails from the family of the big race winners Just Now and Shiva's Revenge.

And yet another winner at Ballarat on Christmas Eve with the in-form Itimio winning his second race from as many runs this preparation.

Well ridden by Craig Newitt, he was sent out a short priced favourite and won like one! Better races are now within his reach. Congratulations to his owners the Oti 2005 syndicate (managers Simon O'Donnell and Terry Henderson), John Higgins, Cameron Williams, Brendan Danaher, Robert Pascoe, Peter Wright, Rupert Legh, Tat Cork, the 3d syndicate and Dycer Racing.

May the winners continue into the New Year and meanwhile everyone at Ballymore wishes all racing fans a very lucky and happy Christmas!