Aussie first for Helmet

Victorian-bred colt Tarnham notched the first Australia win for Darley sire Helmet at Dalby on Saturday.

Starting an odds-on favourite on debut in the Oakey Beef Exports Maiden Plate (1000m), he jumped straight to the front and then found another gear in the straight to score by four lengths from Quite Magical (Magic Albert) and Liberty Jane (Snippertson).

Tarnham (2c Helmet – Ms Guacamolee by El Corredor) was bred by Melbourne stockbroker Jonathon Rosham under the Balmerino Racing Partnership banner and sold for $72,500 as a foal at the 2014 Magic Millions National Sale.

His USA bred dam foaled a colt by fellow Darley Victoria sire Reset in October and was bred back to Three Bridges stallion Unencumbered.

Helmet (Exceed And Excel) was a Group 1 winner of the Sydney Sires’ Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes at two and he earned a better Timeform rating than Fastnet Rock, Starspangledbanner and So You Think at three after an outstanding victory in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

A homebred for Sheikh Mohammed, he shuttles from Kildangan Stud and his Irish-bred first crop have jumped the blocks with four individual winners already this year.

Darley Victoria stands Helmet for a $16,500 (inc gst) service fee.