Relocated to Gooree Stud this spring, Everest hero Yes Yes Yes has kept doing what he does best in racking up winners with the Ciaron Maher trained four year-old Flamboyant Lad opening his account at Geelong on Friday.
A work in progress that has taken time to mature, Flamboyant Lad was retired from a race at Sandown back in February and subsequently gelded, so the 1312m maiden today was a fresh beginning.
Ridden by John Allen, Flamboyant Lad was stalking the leader on the turn before forging clear and then had enough left at the finish to win by half a length.
“He did it the tradesman way on the outside there, but we used that barrier (gate 2),” said stable representative Leigh Allen.
“He was positive on the outside of the leader on the corner and was going better than that one and I imagine he his fitness just gave out a little in the end, but it was nice to get a win first up with him.
“We'll just see what we do from here. Obviously, we could tackle a mid-weeker, but we'll just have to see what the strength of the field is at this time of year, so we'll just sort of pick our way through. I'm just really happy for the owners including Ozzie (Kheir), John O’Neill and Ben Cooper, who has the majority of the horse.”
Cooper of Merricks Station and Kheir bred the horse in partnership and he was retained to race.
Flamboyant Lad is the first winner for Ra Ra Epic, a winning sibling by Drumbeats to Group I MRC Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise, Group III winner Ardrossan and stakes-winners Bergerac and Cheyenne Warrior.
With five winners already this season, Yes Yes Yes stands at a fee of $16,5000 at his new home at Gooree Park Stud.
