Ranch Hand Secures Queensland Campaign

The Chris Waller-trained juvenile Ranch Hand (Fastnet Rock-Mezulla, by Shamardal) appears to have booked a trip to the Queensland winter carnival off the back of an impressive barrier trial victory on Tuesday morning at Rosehill Gardens. A winner on debut in December before a further two runs in Queensland including a fifth in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) behind stablemate Shaquero (Shalaa), the colt settled in fourth position on the rail for jockey James McDonald before scraping paint rounding the turn to pull himself to the lead, holding off the late challenge of the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Deficit (Snitzel) who was ridden out to chase from back in the field. Others to impress in the run who could also find themselves heading to Queensland include the winner's stablemate Kalino (Pierro) who took third, while this season's Gr3 Black Opal winner Kalashnikov (Capitalist) worked home very well for fourth, less than a length from the winner. With the Waller stable recording plenty of success with their juveniles during the winter carnival, it would be no surprise to see not only Ranch Hand, but Kalino press on and be extremely competitive. Raced by a group of high-profile owners including Coolmore, Pencarrow Stud's Sir Peter Vela and Woppitt Bloodstock's Debbie Kepitis, who all also share in the ownership of stakes-winning colts O'President (Fastnet Rock) and Home Affair (I Am Invincible), Ranch Hand was secured from the draft of Turangga Farm for $260,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.