Gallant Battleborn another Rock ‘n’ Pop winner

Battleborn (McCarthy/Racing Photos)

Waikato Stud graduate Battleborn struck the first winning blow of his career at Bendigo this afternoon.

Trained by Brent Stanley, the Rock ‘n’ Pop three-year-old was successful over 1400m for apprentice Mitchell Aitken.

Battleborn’s victory was not unexpected as he had finished in the money in four of his previous six appearances.

He was bought out of the Matamata farm’s 2016 Premier Sale draft at Karaka for $210,000 by Cloud 9 Thoroughbreds and CB Bloodstock.

His dam Vanilla Sky won twice and the O’Reilly mare has also left the stakes winner and Group One performer Raid (Pins).

Battleborn’s pedigree page further features the dual Australian Group One winner Stratum Star.

The Waikato Stud-based Rock ‘n’ Pop has now left 14 individual winners, including the black type performers Go Dixie, Gold Spice, Paris Rock and The Lord Mayor.

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