Blackberry Bomb will aim to emulate her half-sister Shelby Cobra in the Group III Amanda Elliott Stakes on Melbourne Cup Day after she returned to form in the No Fuss Event Hire Hcp (1300m) at Bendigo on Wednesday.
In a driving finish, the 3-year-old daughter of Brazen Beau rallied under Thomas Stockdale to defeat the Written By gelding Treat Him Right with the Harry Angel (IRE) gelding Harry's Yacht back in third.
Second on debut at Sandown in July, Blackberry Bomb rounded out her juvenile season when winning at Sale in August.
The Simon Zahra-trained filly disappointed in her next two starts in the Cap D'antibes Stakes at Flemington and in the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Plate at Caulfield.
“The rain arrived at the wrong time at Flemington, and at Caulfield, few made up ground on the day. Back in grade today, I think she has a future and great to get a win for her owners,” Zahra said.
“She is not big but eats like me, so it’s hard to keep her fit.
“I am thinking about backing up on Melbourne Cup Day in the 1400m stakes race. If she pulls up well, we will have a throw at the stumps.”
A $210,000 pinhook for James Bester when offered by Rushton Park to the 2022 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, Blackberry Bomb was a $300,000 buy for Simon Zahra Racing / Cameron Cooke Bloodstock from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Brazen Beau is a half-sister to the Listed Cap D'Antibes Stakes and $1million Showdown winner Shesallshenanigans (Toronado) and the Listed VRC Amanda Elliott Handicap winner Shelby Cobra (Toronado).
Bred by Chesapeake Thoroughbreds and Newton Thoroughbreds, Blackberry Bomb is the third winner from four to race for the Dane Shadow mare Segenhoe Valley, who was a $325,000 buy for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock on Inglis Digital in 2020 with Shesallshenanigans at foot.
Segenhoe Valley had not had a live foal since Blackberry Bomb, before foaling Toronado (IRE) colt on October 16.
