Well bred gelding Rumour and Scandal broken his city maiden status in style when he downed stakes winner Secession and co at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The four-year-old gelded son of Elusive Quality and the Group One winner Kenbelle led throughout in a strong performance.
The win continued the good run experienced in recent weeks of trainer John Thompson, jockey Josh Adams and Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm Racing Syndicate.
Racing for just the fourth time, Rumour and Scandal looked a horse to follow as he held out the warm favourite Secession – a winner last year of the Merson Cooper Stakes.
Rumour and Scandal was purchased by the Patinack Farm team for $110,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Andre Rabbett, Sydney stable foreman for John Thompson, was impressed with the victory and predicted more in the future for the lightly raced galloper.
“The key was to go the front and keep him relaxed and he’d do the rest,” Rabbett said.
“He’s definitely got a lot to learn,” he added.
“That was the plan, just to teach him a bit more and he could have a few more wins in him yet.”
The win was welcomed by Queensland’s Millbook operation in the Darling Downs – they bred Rumour and Scandal and have his outstanding half brother heading to January’s 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The subject yearling, a colt by Bernardini, is the latest yearling from the former top Kenmare mare Kenbelle.
Kenbelle won at distances from 1500 to 2400 metres and is best remembered for winning the Group One Australian Oaks and Group Two Queen of the Turf Stakes (now Group One).
She is a half sister to three stakes performed including the Todman Slipper Trial winner Auranch.
Her colt heading to January’s sale is an outstanding individual who is sure to attract the attention of buyers.
He’s one of a number of quality youngsters for the sale by AP Indy’s champion son Bernardini – winner of over US$3 million – winner of the Preakness and Travers Stakes’.
Another winner at Canterbury on Wednesday was the Baramul Stud homebred Carnegie House.
A proven group winner earlier in the his career, Carnegie House cruised home under Brenton Avdulla to win his 1900 metre contest.
A half brother to Carnegie House by Flying Spur is also being prepared for the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.