Trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman have their sights set on testing Star Ballot’s staying ability to the maximum in the spring.
The Riccarton-based father and son team have the G3 New Zealand Cup over 3200 metres in November as the long-term aim for the Gerry Harvey-bred son of Westbury Stud resident Tarzino.
Star Ballot has won on six occasions and on Saturday completed consecutive victories over 2600 metres on his home track with the five-year-old again producing an effort full of merit.
He shouldered 60kg in the Founders Cup and came from the tail of the field to score in a driving finish in the hands of Lisa Allpress.
“The obvious race for him is the New Zealand Cup. He is a lovely horse, he is probably my favourite horse and has got real stamina,” Michael Pitman said.
“I’ve already offered the ride to Lisa, and she seems keen to stick with him.
“I’ve made no secret about the fact that he’s my favourite horse in the stable, he’s just such a cool dude of a horse, and I think he’s a real genuine stayer.”
Such is his admiration for Star Ballot, Pitman is keen to chase the brother that Westbury will offer as Lot 1245 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale early next month.
“I might have to see if I can put together a syndicate to buy him,” he said.
Star Ballot settled well back on the outer before edging closer 600 metres from home and he finished determinedly to win out in a driving finish conceding 2kg and 4.5kg respectively to the runner-up and third placegetter.
He was offered at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale at Karaka by Westbury and purchased by Pitman for $45,000 and has now won just shy of $150,000.
Star Ballot is a son of the More Than Ready mare Cast Your Vote, who has a perfect record at stud with all four of her foals to race successful.
She is out of the multiple Group-placed Danehill mare Confer who produced another son of the Tavistock stallion last year and is in foal to associate stallion Redwood.