The five-year-old Wandjina gelding Express Pass needed some scratchings to take his place in Saturday's Listed Ladbrokes Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley, and after six previous attempts at stakes level, this was his day in the sun.
Ridden by Jye McNeil for the inform Nick Ryan stable, Express Pass overcame a wide run to defeat the honest Pride Of Dubai mare Bella Nipotina by two lengths with the Zed gelding Irish Flame three-quarters of a length back in third.
"The boys will be pumped, the Express (Racing) boys. They deserve it, and this horse really deserves it," Ryan said.
"He's been around the mark and been at that rating, but down in the weights today, he drew well. The race mapped well, and Jye rode him a treat.
"We can see what this horse can do on his day. He ran third in a Danehill as a three-year-old. He's got a good finishing burst and we saw it today.
"I was umming and ahhing about running, but Reece Murphy, Jye's manager, rang me yesterday just in case we did get a run, and he put some thoughts into my head. When the scratchings came through, it all fell into place.
"He’s only a little horse, and he’s been carrying a bit of weight. Down in the weights today it really suited him. He jumped out really good at Flemington behind Finance Tycoon and The Astrologist, so it’s no surprise. He needs a bit of luck in his races.
“He came out here the other day and was a late scratching. He’s had a bit go wrong, and he deserved to breakthrough today.”
A $38,000 Inglis VOBIS Gold purchase for JJ Consultants / Nick Ryan Racing from the Blue Gum Farm draft, Express Pass advanced his record to five wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $326,475.
He is the best of three winners from as many to race from the winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Pass the Parcel, an $85,000 purchase by Paul Willetts Bloodstock t the 2020 Inglis 2020 JULY (Early) Online Sale.
Pass The Parcel’s dam, Morinda, is a half-sister to stakes-winners So Gorgeous (dam of Group 1 winner Sterling City), Cumbria, and Wild Queen (dam of Group 1 Randwick Guineas winner Kementari and Group 1 AJC Sires Produce stakes runner-up Telperion).
First Light Racing / Busuttin Racing / Paul Willetts Bloodstock shelled out $575,000 for Blue Gum Farms Pass The Parcel colt by Pierro at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
After foaling a full-brother to Express Pass last spring, Pass The Parcel visited Castelvecchio.
Express Pass is the third stakes-winner for Larneuk Stud’s Group 1 VRC Australian Guineas winner Wandjina.
The son of Snitzel had a good day with Master Red winning at the Gold Coast and Native Rock at Newcastle.
Wanjina stands the current season at Larneuk Stud for a value fee of $8,800 (inc GST.
