08 Mar Malkovich sizzles down Flemington straight
Malkovich broke through for his first Stakes win at the weekend, claiming the Listed ATA / Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) at Flemington down the famous straight.
The Bjorn Baker-trained speedster has run second at Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 level, and was backing up from running fourth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield the week before.
Malkovich, still a colt, has earned another shot at Group 1 level with Baker and managing owner Darby Racing, announcing he will line up in the Group 1 The Galaxy in two weeks time.
He has proved he is a top-class horse and deserves another chance at winning a Group 1 race.
Malkovich was a yearling purchase by Woodpark Stud at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from Ascot Park for $85,000. He was then offered through their Inglis Ready 2 Race draft later that year. Darby Racing picked him up for $240,000. Woodpark Stud remained in the ownership.
He is a four-year-old stallion by Choisir out of the Anabaa mare Mabkhara. She is the dam of five to race for five winners.
It is a family that Woodpark have come to know well. With the early success of Malkovich, the Mittagong-based farm secured his half-sister Seewhatshebrings for $450,000 at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale last year. She was Group 3-placed in her own right.
Malkovich’s Stakes win wasn’t the only pedigree update for the family during the week. Another half-sister Wandabaa had her first Stakes success in the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket on Friday. The Kris Lees-trained mare has now won just shy of $830,000 in prize money.