Sledmere-bred and -sold Pancho left his mark on the 2019 VRC Melbourne Cup Carnival when winning the Listed TCL TV Stakes (1800m) on the Oaks Day program to become the very first stakes winner of Dissident’s stud career.
An eye-catching runner-up of the $1 million Bondi Stakes at Royal Randwick at his previous outing, the progressive 3-year-old responded in brilliant fashion to a forceful Hugh Bowman ride to land the black-type event at just his ninth career start.
Pancho has now amassed $384,650 in prizemoney for his Laurel Oak Bloodstock ownership group that comprises Laurel Oak Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Inspire, Boeara Holdings, Mrs M Meier, Mr J C Sutherland, McGrath Family, N & J Hughes, Mr D O’Brien, Mr M J Forsdick, Mr B N E Hastie, Mr D J Tilbury, Mrs S Tilbury, Mr M J Clift, A & P Hickey, Mrs D Boag, Mr L G Boag, Mr S J Parker, Tiani Vlei, Mr G A Pointon & Mr M S Riley.
The Sledmere graduate is trained on behalf of his owners by Chris Waller and was ridden to victory by Hugh Bowman. Both suggested that the gelding’s maiden black-type victory was nothing more than he deserved.
“He has run in Melbourne before,” remarked Waller. “He has done most of his racing down here actually. He went back to Sydney and ran very well last start in the new race, the Bondi. He has franked that form and brought it down here.
“We rode him back from a reasonable draw to make sure that he switched off and then he was a good sight coming down that Flemington straight.”
Bowman reported: “I was snuggled right back towards the rear in amongst runners. I had a lovely slipstream behind Damien Oliver and Craig Williams, the two in-form riders. When I produced my fellow Pancho at the 250m mark, he went to the line with a bit of authority.
“He has been racing well in Sydney and Chris Waller has done a lovely job to find this race for him down here this week. I am really pleased I could steer him to a victory. My horse has been prepared beautifully by Chris Waller. He is the master at bringing these horses along to peak this week. He has had a wonderful week and I’m really pleased that I can be a part of it.”
Pancho was bred by Sledmere and then sold at the 2017 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $150,000. He was later to be re-offered by Newgate Farm at the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale where he was secured by Laurel Oak Bloodstock for $165,000.
Sledmere race a 2-year-old half-brother by Smart Missile named Book Launch. His prized dam Novel Dancer has this season produced an outstanding Russian Revolution colt born in late September.