Bianconi trail-blazer in WA

Swettenham Stud sire Bianconi is within striking distance of 500 winners world-wide but only a handful have surfaced in Western Australia.

Mountain Haze (2g Bianconi – Stormy Gale by Scenic) made up for lost time and made a big impression winning the Westspeed Nursery Hcp (1300m) at Belmont on Wednesday.  He fought off several challenges in the straight to defeat Leicachino (Al Maher) and the favourite Crown Lawyer (Not A Single Doubt).

“I think he’s got a future, this guy,” trainer Adam Durrant said.  “He was the best horse in the race and Ben (Paterson) rode him that way even though he was giving 3kg and 4kg to the others.

Durrant’s parents Geoff and Vickie bought Stormy Gale along with her Bianconi foal at foot for $6,000 at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions April Sale.  He is bred on the same Bianconi – Scenic cross as Group 1 sprinter Nicconi.

“It’s a good result for Mum and Dad,” Durrant added.  “He’s a nice horse and is going in the right direction.”

Mountain Haze was the first two year-old winner by Bianconi this season when he scored a last-to-first victory at Ascot in January.  “We brought him back in for a winter campaign but had to run him in a couple of unsuitable 1000 metre races,” Durrant explained.  “He was getting busy late last time and it’s great to see him bounce back today.”

Bianconi (Danzig) will stand for a $7,700 (inc gst) service fee at Swettenham Stud this year.

– Karl Patterson