3 minute read

Joe Pride made the right decision to send Ballistic Lover to Melbourne for the Carlyon Stakes.

Sydney trainer Joe Pride has registered a two-state double with the stylish win of Ballistic Lover in a stakes race at The Valley. 

Ballistic Lover took out Saturday's Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) a little over two hours after Queensland Guineas winner Private Eye's first-up win in the Group 3 Show County Quality at Randwick. 

It was an inspired move by Pride to send Ballistic Lover to Melbourne, as the daughter of Smart Missile was also entered to run in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick. 

Settling behind the speed set by Ancestry and Esta La Roca, Ballistic Missile travelled sweetly under Damian Lane and appeared to have the race in her keeping rounding the hometurn. 

Despite Esta La Roca putting up determined resistance, Esta La Roca scored by a half-length from that Lloyd Kennewell-trained galloper with Miss Albania in third place, a further 2-¾ lengths away. 

Lane said taking the softer option had proved a great decision by Pride. 

"She stalked the speed and I was the winner a long way out," Lane said. 

"She's got the scope to keep going up in grade. She's building a great record and is going the right way about things. 

"Considering she handled The Valley so well, there might be better races here for her." 

Caulfield trainer Gemma Reilly was tasked with looking after the mare after Pride sent her south to Melbourne for Saturday's race. 

"She's a beautiful filly and Joe has sent a few horses to me now and they just turn up in immaculate condition," Reilly said. 

"She travelled so well, she licked the feed bin and just walking next to her you could tell that she was switched on and ready to go. 

"She's a lovely, big filly and I think she's still got a bit to learn so the owners will be really happy with this one in the next six months. 

"Joe hasn't had a lot of luck here at Moonee Valley as he expressed to me this morning, so he'll be pumped."