Fit horses that competed during the Brisbane Winter Carnival have continued their run in Melbourne with a double at Flemington.
Leading trainer Robert Heathcote and Tony Gollan along with Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted have produced a steady stream of winners from limited numbers during late winter and into the spring carnival.
O’Dea and Hoysted got the ball rolling with Uncommon James in the Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield on August 13 before Shooting For Gold won for the pair in The Heath, also at Caulfield, on August 27.
Heathcote’s sprinter Rothfire defeated Gollan’s Zoustyle in the McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 3 before the Queenslanders had a double at Flemington on Saturday.
Scallopini won for O’Dea and Hoysted in the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) while Baller took out the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200m) for Gollan.
Hoysted said Scallopini had done enough for his campaign and was heading back to Brisbane to prepare for the Magic Millions Carnival at the Gold Coast in January.
“He’s had a long campaign, campaigning through the winter,” Hoysted said.
“He’s done a really good job so I think he’s well deserving of a little break now and we can get him home and set him for Magic Millions.”
Baller will remain in Melbourne and is likely to be seen back at Flemington on October 1 to contest the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) which will lead him into the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
A $21 outsider, Baller provider Mark Zahra the third leg of a treble with his short-half-head win from Roch ‘N’ Horse ($15) with the $4.80 favourite Swats That three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Baller started his career with Anthony Cummings before moving to Chris Waller and then on to Gollan last year.
Part-owner Clive McKerr said Baller had always shown plenty of ability.
“Right from the outset he’s always showed plenty but since we’ve got up north with Tony he’s just gone to another level,” McKerr said.
“We’ve had a couple of foot issues with him over time, but Tony and his team have got him right and we just couldn’t be happier.
“It’s his first time down here with him and it’s a good kick off for the Queenslander.”
