5 from 9 in Singapore for $1m Yearling GHALIB

20 Feb 24

Ghalib stamps his class as the $1m Half-Brother to our PIERRO x CAVEAT Colt Scores Back-to-Back wins.

Up-and-coming sprinter GHALIB romped away to an easy win in the $100,000 Kranji Stakes A race (1100m) at Kranji on Saturday.

Trainer Steven Burridge was bullish before the race and punters agree sending out the four-year-old (by I Am Invincible ex Caveat) as the hot favourite at his biggest test to-date.

GHALIB in full stride

Turned out the tactics could not have gone better; making the one-and-a-half length win an easy watch, while for good measure, Ghalib shaved 0.05secs off the Class Record set two years earlier.

The winning time was 1 min 3.92secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.

After jumping well from barrier one, Ghalib (ridden by Manoel Nunes) got the early sit behind the Lucky Jinsha as expected, while Illustrious was also on the pace.

That trio kicked a length clear of other runners upon entering the straight. Nunes, with a lapful of horse under him, had only one decision to make; which route to take?

When Lucky Jinsha moved off the rails at the 400m, Nunes took the run on the rails to quickly put paid to the tiring leader, leading by three lengths on the chasing pack by the 200m.

While Burridge was not at all surprised by the win, he was relieved, and now Ghalib, may be stepping up to Group level races in the near future.

“We were pocketed by stablemates (Lucky Jinsha and Illustrious), so I was a little worried at the top of the straight.”

“Luckily, the leader rolled off the fence and gave Manoel a run. Once he (Ghalib) got clear, he showed what a promising horse he is. He did a very good job.

“I’m not sure where we go next, but we will have a look at targeting the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy."

The EW Barker Trophy is run over seven furlongs and will be held on 21 April.

“He’s really thriving and still putting on condition. He’s also won over 1400m on turf and as you saw, he went very good on the Polytrack, so we have options and will have a look on Monday.”

Nunes, who has now ridden Ghalib six times for five wins, was happy things fell perfectly into place for one of his favourite horses, albeit he thought the gelding was better over six furlongs at such competitive levels of racing.

“Everything went how we thought it would today,” said the five-time Singapore champion jockey.

“The barrier helped, he jumped well, and I got the sit behind Lucky Jinsha as we expected.

“I know Lucky Jinsha well, so I knew there was a big chance he would hang out in the straight and I was happy to be tracking him.

“But Illustrious was off the bit at the 400m, so I thought I would come off heels and take that run but when it closed, I went for the fence.

“When I pressed the button, Ghalib responded and with 53kgs, we were always going to be hard to beat.

“Steve has done a great job with this horse, and I think he has more to offer.

“But from the way he won today, I think he is a sprinter.

“He is a young horse and is coming to his best form.”

Ghalib’s fifth win in nine starts in Singapore took his prizemoney to $224,420 for his Singapore based connections.

Galhib’s Singapore Race Summary = 9 starts: 5 Wins, 1 Second and $224,420

Whilst he has taken his overall tally to: 15 starts: 6 Wins, 2 Seconds and $294,570.

Before heading to Singapore, Ghalib raced under the name Eponymous and was a Winner at Randwick on the Kensington track and runner-up at Moonee Valley.

A $1 million yearling, Ghalib is from the mare CAVEAT (by Elusive Quality).

Followers of Dynamic Syndications purchasers at the Magic Millions will be aware that Team Dynamic purchased the Half-Brother to Ghalib by Champion Sire PIERRO ex CAVEAT and he has been placed into the care of Australia’s number 1 stable for winners – CIARON MAHER Racing.

OUR YEARLING

When the Magic Millions catalogue was printed in November, Ghalib was the winner of 3 races. Since then, he has added another 3 races to his tally, to be now the winner of 6 races.

With Group races the target for Ghalib in Singapore, the way he is bred it would be no surprise to see him accomplish that feat from the gene pool he has inherited.

CAVEAT winning at 2 - Photo Finish

CAVEAT as a Broodmare

His 2YO Winning Dam CAVEAT hails from an exciting Female Family.

SEPOY

CAVEAT is a Blood-Sister to SEPOY - World Champion 3yo; Champion Australian 2YO and 3YO.

CAMARILLA

CAVEAT is the Full Sister to CAMARILLA - Gr1 winning 2YO (AJC Sires Produce).

GUELPH

CAMARILLA is the Dam of GUELPH - Champion 3YO Filly 2013-14.

ENCRYPTION

GUELPH is the Dam of Gr2 Winner - ENCRYPTION

EMANATE

GUELPH is the Dam of Gr3 Winner - EMANATE.

GHIBELLINES

GUELPH is a Half-Sister to Gr2 Winner – GHIBELLINES.

BIVOUAC

GUELPH is the Half-Sister to Dazzler – Dam of BIVOUAC Champion 3YO 2019-20.

CORUSCATE

BIVOUAC is the Full-Brother to CORUSCATE Dual Stakes Winner & Gr2 Placed.

INDUNA

CAVEAT is the Full Sister to Stakes Winning Gr1 placed – INDUNA.

CAMARENA

CAVEAT is a daughter of Gr1 Winner & 3-time Gr1 placed - CAMARENA.

Our Yearling Colt

Whilst CAVEAT has produced our COLT by PIERRO.

PIERRO

PIERRO was the Unbeaten 2YO Champion and World Champion 3YO. Now a Champion Sire.

CAVEAT has produced four (4) foals to race: 4 Winners who have won 19 races!

EPONYMOUS - GHALIB (Sing) - 6 wins

EMPTOR - 2 wins

BEWARE - 6 wins

VACATE - 5 wins

With a family like this behind him and looks to match it's no wonder we had our eye on this boy from the start!

5% Shares are $13,580 inc GST and ALL COSTS to 1/7/24