Kimetto Secures Third Group Crown

CROWD pleasing galloper Aston Kimetto secured a third group race victory when he came with a withering finish to claim Saturday night’s Group 2 Ballarat Volkswagen Ballarat Cup Final (450m).

CROWD pleasing galloper Aston Kimetto secured a third group race victory when he came with a withering finish to claim Saturday night's Group 2 Ballarat Volkswagen Ballarat Cup Final (450m).

Armed with one of the most devastating finishing bursts we've seen in some time, Aston Kimetto, a son of Kc And All and former champion stayer Sweet It Is, charged home over the concluding stages of Saturday night's $47,000 to-the-winner final, defeating gallant runner-up Dyna Hunter by neck in a fast 24.94.

Aston Kimetto's Ballarat Cup triumph now sits perched beside his Group 3 Warragul St. Leger success and Group 2 Geelong Cup victory, each won in devastating fashion given his more often than not last to first racing pattern.

Now a winner at 10 of his 19 starts and prizemoney of just over $143,000, Saturday night's triumph also secured back-to-back Ballarat Cup victories for trainer Seona Thompson and owner Ray Borda, landing last year's finale with their champion Melbourne Cup winning chaser Aston Dee Bee.

On a night of grand racing out of Ballarat on Saturday, Anthony Azzopardi was to the fore in the consolation of the Cup, landing the $9,800 first prize with reserve runner My Bro Kade.

From the very successful My Bro Fabio x Amyjo litter, My Bro Kade defeated favourite Blue Striker by a half-length in a slick 25.25.

Shima Breezes Into Laurels Semis

SERIES favourite Black Opium is on track to justify her short quote for this year's Group 2 Laurels after landing her heat on Sunday in 29.45, but it was superbly bred South Aussie sprinter Shima Breeze that set the time-standard, recording a flying 29.32.

With Melbourne Cup runner-up Black Opium all the rage for the bitches only age-restricted feature, some quality chasers stepped out in Sunday heats, suggesting the hugely talented daughter of Black Magic Opal won't have things her own way in the final two rounds of the $50,000 to-the-winner event.

Shima Breeze (Fernando Bale x Shimaguni) was breathtaking for Tony Rasmussen landing the opening heat in 29.32, with Circle Of Dreams taking out heat two for Angela Langton in 29.68.

South Australian Oaks winner My American Girl -from the outstanding Barcia Bale x My American Girl litter – landed her heat in 29.50 even, whilst other heat winners were Sweet As Emm (My Bro Fabio x Born Ali) for Brendan Pursell in 29.43 and Often Imitated (Kc And All x Sweet It Is) for Brad Greenough in 29.41.

Semi-finals will be staged this Sunday leading into what will be a highly anticipated final on Thursday, December 20.

Barbara's Healesville Day Out

EXFORD trainer John Barbara had a day out at Healesville on Sunday, leading in four winners.

Heading to the races with six engaged, Barbara tasted victory with Runnin' Rampage, Runnin' Royalty, Jet Blaster and Bear's Legacy.

Barbara's claims for five winners were thwarted in race eight when Hot Jean finished second to group winning chaser Peter Galo in a heat of the Christmas Cup over the 350m.

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