The last time a locally trained juvenile won the Black Opal, it was the Gratz Vella trained You’re Canny back in 2011, and today’s running of the $200,000 G3 contest also went to Vella as 2yo All Too Hard gelding Music Time dominated his rivals.
Nicknamed “Rocket”, the 2yo jumped away well from barrier 12 of 13 with jockey Pierre Boudvillain taking the gelding forward where he settled on the outside of the Nick Olive trained Bar Jester with the pair going a few lengths clear of the remainer of the field.
As they cornered for home, the leading duo still had lengths up their sleeve, but it was clear that Boudvillain’s mount had more to offer, extending away with ease at the 200m in what looked like being a repeat of the Black Opal Preview a few weeks prior.
Charging away, Music Time took the race by one and three quarters lengths from Peter Snowden’s Pearl Of Dubai with Godolphin’s Threads in third with the early leader Bar Jester holding on for fourth.
In what was a coup for the ‘Aussie battler’ Gratz Vella, the local trainer got the better of Sheikh M B K Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, breeder/owners of the second and third placed runners respectively.
Taking his overall record to three wins and a second from four starts with earnings of $180,000, Music Time was a $45,000 purchase for Vella Lodge from the Vinery Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is the fourth winner, and second at black type level from four to the races out of the Manhattan Rain mare Miss Eisenstadt.
Miss Eisenstadt has not produced a foal since Music Time, missing in back to back season, and in the spring was covered by Exceedance.
A half-brother to the Listed SAJC Manihi Classic winner Little Miss Kubi, Music Time is also the family of the G2 Challenge Stakes winner Fritz’s Princess, dual Hong Kong G1 winner Contentment and the G1-winning juvenile Align (NZ), who also finished second in the G1 Golden Slipper.
Alas, it is highly unlikely that Music Time will head to the Slipper with Vella indicating he would not be paying the late entry fee with the gelding likely to spell.
“From day one, Music Time showed me he would be competitive in the Black Opal,” said Vella, who was winning the race for just the second time.
“Have a look at what he did today, he did it hard taking on the other of the local horses (Bar Jester, fourth) for the lead but the way he finished off was unreal.
“I am going to be fair to him, he will go out for a spell, and hopefully when he comes back we can look at bigger things with him.”
For jockey Pierre Boudvillain is was a huge thrill, riding his first Group winner.
“He's an impressive horse,” Boudvillain said. “I was positive early, he jumped quick, mustered really fast and crossed them with ease.
“I went with the flow and at the top of the straight I thought I am going to easily. But he just keeps going, he is a rocket!”
Bred by Greg Perry, Music Time became the 33 individual stakes winner for Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard, who will be represented by six lots at the upcoming Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale.
