Ill-fated stallion Rob Roy Mattgregor sired his second Australian winner when the Chantal Turpin-trained three-year-old Mattgregor scooted to a winning 1.53.9 mile at Albion Park today.
Mattgregor, driven by Turpin, was having its first race start and despite copping a knock at the start and racing three wide for a good portion of the last half mile, Mattgregor ($12.30) powered home the final quarter in 27.6 to win the Gold Rush Series heat by 1.4 metres. He defeated the speedy grey Mandy Kriden ($4.30) driven by John O’Shea, which proved again to be her own worst enemy, breaking stride at the start and again when in front in the run to the post. $1.50 race favourite Sir Rory (Chris Petroff) was spaced in third place over 19 metres away.
Turpin, who has started the 2015-16 season off with a bang ranking in the top four on the state trainer’s premiership purchased the Tate Bloodstock-bred Mattgregor from Kiwi trainer Mark Jones.
Turpin’s husband, leading Brisbane driver Pete McMullen said Mattgregor is a good sort of horse with a fair bit of improvement in him. “He is not the best gaited type but Chantal is working on that and when this horse puts it all together we might aim for a few better races, hopefully he can win next week’s Gold Rush Final and later on a Rising Stars Series and better races,” McMullen said.
A smart looking colt, Mattgregor has a wonderful maternal pedigree and could be placed to carry on his sire’s name. Mattgregor is from Miss Sunshine, a one start winning McArdle half- sister to 2013 Premiers Cup winner Alberto Contador ($343,358).
A son of the great Matts Scooter, Rob Roy Mattgregor stood at stud in NZ and then was listed on the stallion roster for a short time at Queensland’s Burwood Stud before his demise.
At stud Rob Roy Mattgregor didn’t set the world on fire, in fact Mattgregor looks to be his only real spark, but he sure did burn up the racetrack. In the USA, Rob Roy Mattgregor paced 1.49.6 as a 2yo and 1.52.6 at three but was injured at the height of his career.
After recovering from injuries, Rob Roy Mattgregor returned to the track where he competed with great distinction in free-for-all and invitational company at The Meadowlands and the half-mile tracks at Freehold and Yonkers, retiring with 43 wins and $612,751 to his credit.
Rob Roy Mattgregor’s only other Australian winner is Cagney, an Albion Park 2yo race winner last June, pacing 2.04.7.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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