First Winner for Northern Meteor

Ballarat – Record breaking sprinter Northern Meteor posted his first winner when talented colt Ticket to Toorak scored an impressive debut win at Ballarat on Thursday.

The Matt Williams trained colt raced greenly throughout settling at the rear of the five horse field before charging home late to win the $30,000 1000 metre juvenile event by a neck.

Winning rider Jamie Mott had to earn his money to get the best from the youngster, but believes he is a very smart horse in the making.

“He’s still very green and did everything wrong today, but was still good enough to win,” Mott said.

“When he puts it altogether, he’s going to be a serious horse.”

Matt Williams was pleased with the performance and plans to return to Ballarat on Cup Day for the inaugural $200,000 Magic Millions Clockwise Classic, a juvenile event for Magic Millions graduates on November 25 that will be run in the clockwise direction.

“It’s good to get a result today as he’s set for the Magic Millions clockwise race that will be run the reverse way of going,” Williams said.

“He’s had a few gallops going that way and has been working really well, although he raced greenly today so we’ll probably put blinkers on him next time.”

Ticket to Toorak was an $80,000 Magic Millions purchase for Australian Thoroughbreds from the Vinery Stud draft and is the first foal of Ballet d’Amour (USA), a half-sister by Stravinsky to stakes-winner Taletobetold from the family of Group I winner Majestic Roi tracing back to super producer Fanfreluche.

Ballet d’Amour has already foaled this spring producing a filly by Northern Meteor’s stablemate Sebring.

Ticket to Toorak is the first winner for Northern Meteor, who featured at Flemington on Derby Day in 2008 when he captured the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes.

A son of champion sire Encosta de Lago, Northern Meteor stands at a fee of $33,000.