After taking twenty-six starts to open his stakes account, the Night Of Thunder (IRE) gelding Acquitted (IRE) has put two together following a dominant performance in Saturday’s Listed Channel 7 Bernborough Plate (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Ridden by James Orman for Kris Lees, Acquitted tracked the early pace but was in desperate need of a run at the 300m.
Orman found a narrow seam on the inside of Love Tap and when in fresh air, put the race to bed in quick time.
Coming off a win over Without Revenge in the Listed Tails Stakes at Doomben, Acquitted found the line strongly to again defeat Without Revenge (GB) (Muhaarar) by two- and three-quarter lengths with The Vowels (Better Than Ready) a half-head back in third.
“I wanted to ride him like a good thing and not trying to take miracle runs,” Orman said.
“He began so well, and I was a lot handier than I expected, but he is a horse that you must let do what he wants to do.
“We were in a nice spot but had Love Tap holding his spot on my outside, which he is entitled to do. I had to wait for him to drop off and squeeze through, and he was just too good.
“I was lucky to have the horse under me to move when I wanted to move.
“He is a lovely horse to ride, and Kris has done a tremendous job with him.
“The sky is the limit with this horse.”
The 7-year-old gelding advances his record to six wins, five seconds and three thirds from 27 starts with earnings of $502,146.
He won three of eleven starts in Britain for Hugo Palmer before his purchase by Australian Bloodstock.
A €60,000 purchase for Avenue Bloodstock/Hugo Palmer from the Ballylinch Stud draft at the 2018 Goffs Orby Sale, Acquitted is the best of two winners from as many to race for the Authorized mare Blameless.
Unplaced in three starts in Ireland, Blameless is a half-sister to Group II winner Desert Fire (Cape Cross) and stakes-placed Criza (Smarty Jones) out of the Horse of the Year & Champion 3YO Filly in Chile in 1998-99, dual Group 1 winner, Crystal House (Golden Voyager).
A one season shuttler to Australia, Night Of Thunder stands at Darley’s Kildangan Stud, Ireland for €100,000.
