Father's Day Double

The stable enjoyed a good day at two tracks on Sunday - Nordic Duke in winning form at Ballarat whilst Spectral Black (pictured) showed plenty of heart when saluting at his Wangaratta debut.

Cleary headed by the hot odds-on favourite Starchine (who had been fourth in the Listed Vain Stakes at his previous outing), Spectral Black fought back gamely - sticking his nose out on the line much to the delight of his owners headed by Shergar Thoroughbreds.

A good-looking dark brown, near black son of the Gr.1 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Spectatorial, Spectral Black had fared nicely in a jump-out chasing the multiple Gr.1 winner Wall Street and judging by the determination he displayed at debut he looks set for a bright future.

A son of the winning Pentire mare Indigo Moon, Spectral Black hails from a very good New Zealand family whose members include the Gr.1 winners Recurring and Lady Madonna.

Also finding the line in determined fashion was Nordic Duke who finished on too strongly out wide for his rivals in the mile handicap.

In doing so the son of Viking Ruler recorded his third success from just eight starts and being such a lightly raced four-year-old he still has plenty of upside.

A $77,500 Karaka purchase for Paul Moroney, Nordic Duke (bred by Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan) is raced by the ARK Synd, Noel Griffin, Manfred Krauser, Neville Scurrell, Peter Reynolds, Peter Walker, Rupert & Cheryl Legh Racing, Gurners Bloodstock Co, CWL Racing and Ballymore Stables.

Boasting an intriguing pedigree, he hails from the same family as his sire – Viking Ruler and his dam both descendants of the legendary Eight Carat.