Chris Waller-trained Phantom Major and Glissando secure wins at Canterbury
Phantom Major, a four-year-old by Snitzel, achieved his maiden victory in the $100,000 Schweppes Handicap (1200m) at Canterbury. The gelding, trained by Chris Waller, displayed a strong turn of foot in what was only his second career start. Ridden by James McDonald, Phantom Major settled towards the rear of the field before accelerating impressively to win by a length and a half.
His debut last month saw him finish a close second over 1250 metres at Newcastle. Waller noted that the horse had been given ample time to mature, a strategy encouraged by his international ownership group, Thurso Limited. This patience is expected to allow Phantom Major to progress through more competitive races.
Phantom Major was initially acquired by Sweat Equity Bloodstock for $60,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Segenhoe Stud. He was later offered by KB Bloodstock at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, where Blandford Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock purchased him for NZ$480,000. His breeze-up time at the sale was 10.23 seconds.
Bred by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia, Phantom Major is the sole runner out of the juvenile winner Hard As (All Too Hard). Hard As is a daughter of the four-time stakes-winning mare Oomph (Flying Spur) and a half-sister to the multiple Group winner Thump (Red Ransom) and the stakes-placed Snoopy (Lope De Vega).
In another race at Canterbury, Godolphin’s four-year-old Too Darn Hot (GB) mare, Glissando, secured her second consecutive victory. This win marked her second from three career starts, as she dominated her rivals as the favourite in the second race of the day. Glissando, a half-sister to the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Flit, was one of five runners from Chris Waller’s stable in the six-horse field.
Stepping up to 1550m for the first time, Glissando, with James McDonald aboard, quickly took the lead from the inside gate. Her stablemates, Salon Passage (NZ) and Viva Maurico, tracked her in second and third positions, providing a favourable run into the home turn. Glissando extended her lead past the 300m mark, ultimately winning by just under two lengths from Bjorn Baker’s Namaste, who finished second.
This performance contributed to a successful day for the Waller/McDonald combination, who secured the first two winners. Waller’s North Pacific mare Kumbaya also performed well, finishing third after working home from near the back of the field, three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner. Waller commented on the gamble of stepping Glissando up in distance, noting it appeared to be a suitable race for her.
McDonald, fresh from his success with Phantom Major, expressed satisfaction with Glissando’s progress, describing her as having good tenacity and a strong will to win. He noted that while Glissando is a bit more robust, her half-sister Flit was a Guineas winner at three, indicating Glissando has further to go in her career. Glissando is one of five winners from six to race out of the stakes-placed Redoute’s Choice mare Glissade.
Glissade is a sister to the stakes-placed Pleiades, who is the dam of G3 winner Pisces – Daryl Flash (HK). Glissando is also a half-sister to Medaglia d’Oro’s three-time black type winner Flit. Flit foaled a colt last season by Too Darn Hot and is due to foal to the same sire again in the spring. Glissade is also the grandam of Champion 2YO and 3YO Colt and four-time G1 winner Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot).
Too Darn Hot is the sire of 34 stakes winners, including G1 winners Broadsiding and Vinery Stud’s new recruit Tropicus in Australia. Too Darn Hot will stand at Darley Kelvinside in the spring at a fee of $275,000 (inc. GST).
Source: anzbloodstocknews.com
