Out of the place in just one of five starts in Sydney, the 3-year-old Exceed And Excel filly Power Ballard took an instant liking to the Flemington straight when leading from barrier to post in the Be A Mate, Nominate Trophy (1100m).
Ridden by Jye McNeil for the unstoppable Waterhouse/Bott stable, Power Ballard stuck fast along the rail to defeat the All Too Hard filly Stefi Magnetica by one and three-quarter lengths with the Puissance De Lune filly Patchouli Dream a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
A Phoenix Thoroughbred homebred, Power Ballard advanced her record to two wins, a second, and two thirds from six starts with earnings of $144,525.
Power Ballard is the first foal of Pierro’s unraced sister Right Chord, a $1,050,000 buy for James Harron Bloodstock when carrying Power Ballad at the 2020 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale.
“I was on her in a jumpout, and she really impressed me,” McNeil said.
“It was Gai’s idea to head to the rail – coming down from Sydney gave her something to follow. It felt like she was never going to get beaten.
“She went through her gears nicely and was strong at the finish.
A sister to 5-time Group 1 winner Pierro and a half-sister to Group II VRC Wakeful Stakes winner and Group 1 Australian Oaks, and Group 1 BRC Queensland Oaks runner-up Ambience (Street Cry), Right Chord has a yearling filly by Capitalist, a colt foal by Acclaim (IRE), and was covered by Yes, Yes, Yes.
