Russian Revolution colt Russian To The Bar Strikes in Challenge Stakes

Mark Smith - Wednesday Feb 21

Midweek stakes racing with the rescheduled Listed Morley Growers Market - Challenge Stakes (1500m) for 3-year-olds at Ascot proved the perfect spot for the Russian Revolution gelding Russian To The Bar to open his stakes account.

Russian To The Bar gets the job done for birthday boy Chris Parnham (image Western Racepix)

Ridden by Chris Parnham for the in-form Luke Fernie, Russian To The Bar t enjoyed the perfect passage behind the leader Memory Parade. Eased out on straightening, Russian To The Bar overpowered the favourite Investmentstrategy (Playing God) by three-quarters of a length, with A Lot Of Good Men (A lot) back in third.

Making just his fifth start, Russian To The Bar advances his record to three wins and a third with earnings of $140,020.

Fernie said the Lex Piper Stakes, followed by the JC Roberts Stakes, is the likely path.

"I was impressed with the way he let down. He has gone from strength to strength," Fernie said.

'I thought I had got to the bottom of him at his first prep and I thought I had bought a dud. "We are on top of him now and he has a bright future.

"We put our knackers on the line when we bought him for a decent amount; he is repaying us now.

'I have learned a lot training him. You want them to be jump and run. Patience is a virtue and I'm learning that now."

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A half-brother to Group II  Let's Elope Stakes winner and Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes runner-up Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon), Russian To The Bar was a $200,000 buy for his trainer from the Dawson Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Winter Yearling Sale having previously not made his reserve at the Classic Yearling Sale.

Russian To The Bar a $200,000 Perth Magic Millions yearling

He is the third winner from four to race for the talented Blackfriars mare Rosie Rocket.

The winner of the Listed WATC Starstruck Classic, Listed La Trice Classic, and placed in the Group 1 Railway Stakes while banking $436,975, Rosie Rocket has a filly by All Too Hard who was a $250,000 buy for Yenrise Pty Ltd from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She has been named Sophia's Kiss and is in the stable of Sean & Jake Casey.

 Rosie Rocket foaled a Capitalist filly last spring and was covered by Dundeel.

After earning $1.7 million on the track, Kissonallforcheeks was sold to Morton Racing for $980,000 on Magic Millions Digital.

The daughter of Written Tycoon visited the champion Anamoe at her first season at stud last spring.

Russian To The Bar is the tenth stakes-winner for Newgate Farm's Russian Revolution. 

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Race Result - Morley Growers Market - Challenge Stakes LR 1500m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:31.55
1
Russian To The Bar
- 3g Russian Revolution (AUS) x Rosie Rocket (AUS) (Blackfriars (AUS))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: Chris Parnham 55
Russian Revolution
2
0.9
Investmentstrategy
- 3c Playing God (AUS) x World Class (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: B Parnham 58
3
1
A Lot Of Good Men
- 3c A Lot (USA) x Cosmah Domination (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: T M Andrews Rdr: P Harvey 56.5
4
3.3
Memory Parade
- 3f War Chant (USA) x Kelvin Rose (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: S & J Casey Rdr: Jade Mc Naught 54
5
4.4
Royal Toronado
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x Harada Queen (AUS) (Haradasun (AUS))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: Madi Derrick 55
6
4.6
Buckets Ridge
- 3g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Reveille (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: Jordan Turner 55
7
5.6
Miss Rockjoy
- 3f Awesome Rock (AUS) x Most Joyous (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: Sue Olive Rdr: Luke Campbell 53
8
6.9
Princess In Red
- 3f Capitalist (AUS) x Princess Rouge (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S & J Casey Rdr: Keshaw Dhurun 53
9
10.5
Ancient Guidance
- 3g God Has Spoken (AUS) x Indala (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Ryan Hill Rdr: Victoria Corver 56.5
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