The Word Is Out – Banquo Has His First Winner!

Improving from his debut second, the Kris Shailer trained Justin Case headed to his home track of Matamata on Friday to break his maiden in impressive fashion, becoming the first winner for his sire.

Controlling the race from the jump, jockey Sam Weatherly went forward to lead in the small field, and as they headed into the home straight, the 2yo gelding was untroubled by any other runner.

Pulling clear in the run to the line, Justin Case defeated State Of Valour by a length and a quarter with a further five and three-quarter lengths back to the third placed Bramito.

Justin Case is the fifth winner out of Savabeel’s G2 Kewney Stakes winner Do Ra Mi, herself a half-sister to G1 winner Marju Snip (Marju) and the Listed winner Unique Jewellery (O’Reilly).

Having covered his fifth book of mares last spring. Banquo has been represented by just five runners to date, with 3yo filly Portland a winner in waiting, having recorded placed efforts in four of her last five starts for Stephen Marsh.

A winner of the Listed Springtime Stakes at Flemington during his 3yo season, as well as finishing second to G1 winners Microphone in the G2 Autumn Stakes and to Zoutori in the G2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes, Banquo (Written Tycoon) is a brother to G1 winner Booker and a half to this season’s multiple stakes placed Sylph (I Am Invincible).

We will offer just the lone colt (pictured above) by Banquo in Book 2 with Lot 655 being a half-brother to this season’s G2 Crystal Mile winner Von Hauke (Savabeel), being out of the winning O’Reilly mare Tiara.