Gosford Guineas Triumph for Pampelonne

Up and coming three year-old Pampelonne (3g Rock of Gibraltar x Jestajewel, by Rory's Jester) took the quantum leap to stakes company when he cruised home to win the $250,000 Listed Gosford Guineas on Sunday. Former Racing NSW Chairman and well known Sydney owner Alan Bell has raced a lot of good horses over the years including the likes of Grand Armee, Schillaci, Primacy, Magic of Money, Dupain and Strada and he looks to have another one set to join that list in Pampelonne. The Tim Martin trained Pampelonne always travelled like a winner at Gosford for in-form rider James McDonald, rolling to the lead at the top of the straight and powering to the line to beat smart fillies Fox and Hallowell Belle by more than a length in the rich 1200 metre feature. “He is a very promising horse and I am just very thrilled,’ said Tim Martin. “It was a big jump in class, but he probably should have been undefeated as he was unlucky in a couple of those previous starts. I expected him to win here and it was good to see him do it.” Martin indicated that Pampelonne would now head to Scone for the $500,000, Inglis 3YO Guineas over 1400 metres on May 19th. The lightly raced gelding has the overall record of three wins and two seconds from just five starts with prizemoney of $270,400. A big strong chestnut bred by Neil Werrett for Black Caviar fame, Pampelonne was purchased by Martin for $140,000 from the Kitchwin Hills draft at the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and is the second foal and second winner for stakes-placed Rory’s Jester mare Jestajewel, a half-sister to multiple stakes-winner Marveen. Pampelonne is the 73rd stakes-winner for Rock of Gibraltar, whose last Australian bred progeny are weanlings.