An Ole Kirk filly from a famous female family started a short priced favourite at Ballarat on Monday and duly got the cash.
Trained by Archie Alexander and ridden by Declan Bates, Stormbender had one previous start for a fifth behind highly rated Ole Kirk gelding Legacy Bound at Ballarat back in April.
Resuming from a spell over 1200m on the synthetic track, Stormbender was strong all the way to the line forging clear after being challenged to win by more than a length.
Declan Bates has ridden Stormbender in both of her starts and believes there is more to come from the talented filly, who got a little bit hot behind the gates.
“I know her quite well; she's always just been a little bit touchy and she can be a little bit of a madam, but once she's in there (the gates), she's good as gold,” he said.
“We thought she'd be good enough to win today, so it was nice to see her go and do it.
“The plan wasn't even to lead today, but with a couple of scratchings, she began so well and I thought, well, it looks like I'm the leader here.
“We had it nice and easy, so she was going to have her chance from the front, but I think she'd be better with something to chase and over further because she was just floating all the way down the straight.
“She probably didn't beat much today, but she's won with a touch of upside, I think.”
A $150,000 Inglis Premier purchase for his trainer from the Balius Farm draft, Stormbender is a half-sister to good metro winner Kahhof. She is the second winner from Stormcrusher, an unraced half-sister to dual Group I winner Virage de Fortune and grand-daughter of the legendary champion mare Emancipation.
Stormbender is the 19th first crop winner for Ole Kirk and is his fifth of the new season.
The Champion First Crop Sire of last season, he stands at te increased fee of $99,000 at Vinery this spring and is fully booked.
