Stallions

Shrapnel explodes at Morphettville

3YO Charge Forward colt Shrapnel confirmed his class with an all-the-way win in today’s $200,000 SAJC Yallambee Classic 1200m G2.

Pictured: Shrapnel’s second win, at Moonee Valley in September 2010.
(PHOTO: Sportpix)

Jockey Michael Rodd drove him forward from a wide gate and Shrapnel took a comfortable lead into the turn, then kicked clear to score by 1.5 lengths from Happy Trails, with another 3.8 lengths back to General Truce.

Shrapnel is trained by Mark Kavanagh for Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, Blue Sky Thoroughbreds Stallion Fund No. 2, David Paradice and the colt’s breeders Ron & Deb Gilbert. He has now won 3 of his seven starts, including the SAJC Breeders’ S. G3 as a 2YO, and is Charge Forward’s fourth stakeswinner this season, following 4YO Response (MRC Sir Rupert Clarke S. G1), 3YO Solar Charged (MRC Thoroughbred Club S. G3) and 2YO Fort Lincoln, winner of the ARC Karaka Million (R) LR.

A half-brother to Group 1 winner Wanted, from the stakes-winning Snippets mare Fragmentation, Shrapnel added Group 1 form to his own record last October, with a fighting third in Star Witness’ VRC Ascot Vale S. G1.

Seven yearlings from Charge Forward’s fourth crop will be offered at the 2011 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, including three colts and a filly in the Arrowfield draft.

Charge Forward’s 22 yearlings sold so far this sales season have averaged $106,205, with a top price of $325,000 paid by Peter Devitt at the Magic Millions Sale for Arrowfield’s colt from Portrayal.