The four-year-old Smart Missile mare Ballistic Lover topped off a rewarding day for Warwick Farm-based trainer Joe Pride with a determined win in Saturday’s Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
Earlier, Pride celebrated the win of the admirable Private Eye in the Group III ATC Show County Quality at Randwick.
Ridden by Damian Lane, Ballistic Lover wore down Esta La Roca (El Roca) by a half-length with Miss Albania (Magnus) a further two and three-quarter lengths back in third.
"She was great," Lane told Racing.com..
"Obviously, very well placed and well prepared by Joe Pride. She was in the Toy Show today in Sydney but elected to go the softer option and it was a great decision.
"She stalked the speed and I was the winner a long way out. She’s got the scope to keep going up in grade. She’s building a great record and going the right way about things.
"Considering she handled The Valley so well, there might be better races here for her."
It was the second stakes win for Ballistic Lover after the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes at Rosehill in May.
An $80,000 Magic Millions purchase by Tricolours Racing & Syndications from the Newgate Farm draft, Ballistic Lover advances her record to six wins, two seconds, and a third from 13 starts with earnings of $385,475.
Bred by the Kolivos family’s Lightning Thoroughbreds, Ballistic Lover is the first live foal for She’s a Sweetheart, a half-sister by Show a Heart to Group II winner and young Aquis farm stallion Lean Mean Machine (Zoustar).
She’s a Sweetheart has a yearling filly by Snitzel and is in foal to Fastnet Rock after missing the year before to Pierro.
Consigned by Newgate to 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, She’s a Sweetheart was bought by Rosemont Stud for$275,000.
The sire of 21 stakes-winners, Smart Missile stands at Twin Hills Stud in 2021 at a fee of $16,500.
