Taree trainer Tony Ball will chasing a big haul of winners on Monday at Port Macquarie with 11 of his stable in action across the eight-race card.
Ball will be represented in all bar one of Monday’s eight races; his team made up of sprinters, stayers and a couple in-between.
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Chief among Ball’s Port-bound bunch is the lightly-raced and talented three-year-old Bantarki who is stamped with the famous Torryburn Stud brand.
A son of the $1.5m yearling, Sooboog, Bantarki was himself an $11,000 yearling purchase and has already won nearly three times that in his six starts.
“He was in the Highway on Saturday and didn’t get a run,’’ Ball said.
Bantarki had his first taste of Highway-racing at the Gosford standalone on May 6 but paid a heavy price for his wide alley.
“Young Regan Bayliss told me at Gosford, if we get a decent run, we should have second or third. He is going to get the gun run at Port, he drew six, so he will just cruise across from out there and do what he does,’’ says Ball.
“It’s 1500m on Monday, he’ll roll forward, I’ll leave it to Bucko (Grant Buckley) but he should be very competitive.’’
The highlight of Monday’s card is the hotly-contested Carlton Dry Benchmark 74 Handicap (1200m) where Ball saddles-up Standing Bear and the supremely well-bred Ljungberg who adds considerable interest to the race.
A full-brother to King of Sparta, Ljungberg’s three career wins are at Randwick, Canterbury and Kensington when stationed with Hall of Famer Ron Quinton.
The son of I Am Invincible was sent out a $61 chance at his first run for Ball at Newcastle just nine-days ago when and where he faded to finish last of the 10.
Ljungberg heads to Port Macquarie on Sunday. Picture: AAP Image – Simon Bullard
“He trialled super for me. I don’t know what happened at Newcastle I just had to put a line through it.’’ Ball said.
“He was ridden totally wrong and wasn’t supposed to be in front. You’ll notice a hell of a different horse with Aaron Bullock on board.’’
The aforementioned Bucko, (Grant Buckley), rides five of Ball’s 11 Port runners to start the week including Richattack in the TAB Long May We Play Class 1 Handicap (1250m).
The four-year-old bay came to Ball without a placing in her 10 starts but has really hit her straps at her last couple.
Runner-up at Port Macquarie when making her Ball-debut, Richattack sprouted wins in her May 16 assignment, flashing home from well down the order to finish fourth of 14.
“I knew nothing about her when I got her except that they were riding her on-speed and she wasn’t finishing it off,’’ Ball explained.
“It is disappointing that she has got to have one more (run) before she is country boosted eligible. That’s why she is in a Class 1 but she will be competitive there from the 1200m.’’
Richattack has plenty more to offer on the racetrack but shapes as a worthwhile broodmare for the future given her family tree.
Ball’s mare is from the first and only Australian crop of Counterattack before he was exported to Germany.
Her dam is Rich Megadale whose career highlights include a win in the 2005 ATC P J Bell Stakes as well as seconds in the Gimcrack and BTC Classic.
Ball can get his big day off to the right start should Strobing continue on his merry way in the opener over ten furlongs (2000m).
“He’s got a new lease of life, he likes running that far and back from a 74 to a 66 he is going to be hard to beat
“The ambition with him is the Port Cup.’’