In form Perth trainer Jim Taylor wrapped up a big Belmont racemeeting yesterday when quality sprinter Shock Value won the listed Birthday Stakes for the second year running.

That success followed on from the outstanding win of rising star Barakey in a near track record breaking performance earlier in the afternoon.

Shock Value, a $100,000 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale purchase, is a son of Key Business and yesterday was the ninth win in 25 starts for the six-year-old. He’s now earned $414,900.

In a thrilling finish to the Birthday Stakes, Shock Value pulled out everything to nab the favourite and early leader Waratah’s Secret in the shadows of the post. At the line a mere short half head separated the pair.

“We thought Waratah’s Secret would be hard to beat so we didn’t want to go with him and set it up for the ones behind,” Taylor said after the race.

“I said to Jason (Brown, jockey) to wait until the 200 (metre mark) before going up to him and it turned out perfect – the best two horses fought it out.”

“The weights helped – the four and a half kilos – 60 kilos with Waratah’s Secret – he’s a great horse.”

“He (Waratah’s Secret) had a great horse’s weight and it told in the last 20 metres and he looked pretty big – I wouldn’t want to be running into Waratah’s Secret second up.”

“We’ll probably look to the Colonel Reeves (Stakes). He needs to be around these weights – when he gets up to about 57 he struggles a bit.”

Taylor is an unabashed fan of Key Business – the sire of both his outstanding Belmont winners yesterday – Shock Value and Barakey.

“Key Business has been a great sire for my stable. I’ve had a lot of good Key Business’ including Cool Business who is the dam of one earlier (winner) today (Shining Knight).”

Shock Value, a graduate of Rangeview Stud, is one of two stakes winners for the 100 per cent winner producer Graceton.

Stakes placed in the Group Three WATC Sires’ Produce Stakes and listed Perth Stakes, Graceton is also the dam of the 10 time winner and triple stakes winner Keyton Grace – a full sister to Shock Value.

The latest yearling from Graceton – a black or brown filly by So Secret – is being prepared by Rangeview Stud for February’s 2012 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Winner: Shock Value
Breeding: Key Business-Graceton (Fimiston)
Race: WATC Birthday Stakes LR (1200m)
Sold for: $100,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Rangeview Stud
Buyer: Jim Taylor
Earnings: $414,900
Owner(s): RB & Mrs JM Gray
Trainer: Jim Taylor (Bullsbrook)