Flamberge is a new addition to the Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra stable but they are no strangers to success with members of the Group One-winning sprinter’s family.
Flamberge steps out for his new stable in Saturday’s TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick having been transferred to Ellerton and Zahra after suspended trainer Peter Moody closed his business last week.
Flamberge
The gelding gave Moody a Group One-winning send-off in the William Reid Stakes last Thursday night.
Flamberge is the best-performed horse out of the mare Razor Blade who has produced a host of winners.
Ellerton trained Flamberge’s half-brother Sunburnt Land to Group Two success and also the stakes-placed half-sister Joyeuse who is the dam of Blue Diamond Preview winner Sword Of Light.
Moody was the trainer of Group One placegetter Curtana, while the Ellerton and Zahra partnership have had success with younger half-brother Durendal, the Standish Handicap winner, and three-year-old Tempered who is a city winner.
“It’s an unbelievable family,” Zahra said.
“You could send the mother to the worst stallion in the world and she’d produce a good horse.
“They’ve always been pretty genuine racehorses and we’ve had a lot of success with them. It’s good to get Flamberge as part of the team.”
Flamberge has spent his time since his William Reid win at his owner David Moodie’s farm to freshen up for his trip to Sydney for the $2.5 million Group One TJ Smith (1200m).
“He’s been up there just on the grass during the day and in at night and working up there,” Zahra said.
“He doesn’t need much galloping. He’ll head up to Sydney on Thursday night.”
Flamberge is at $24 for the TJ Smith as he chases a fourth Group One win.
“You’re running against the best of the best,” Zahra said.
“We’re going in there and crossing our fingers and hoping we can get the job done, but we can’t take too much of the credit.”
Exosphere is the $2.70 favourite to beat last year’s TJ Smith winner Chautauqua who is at $3.40.
