Belmont Oaks Money Talks for $500 Bargain Buy

At Perth's winter track Belmont Park on Saturday, the first of a stakes-race double header went the way of a weanling filly who was claimed by respected WA agent John Chalmers for a paltry $500 at 2018's Magic Millions Mixed Sale for trainer Graeme Ballantyne and his wife Donna. Although vendor Gold Front Thoroughbreds would have preferred a lot more for the now valuable stakes-winning 3YO filly Chili Is Hot (Gingerbread Man-Society Gal, by Faltaat), victory in the Listed Belmont Oaks clearly wasn't unexpected in some quarters with the short-head victress starting the race's market mover after late bets forced her price in from $21 to $17. Bringing up a fourth Belmont Oaks success for jockey Jason Whiting, the filly refused to lie down when challenged by odds-on favourite Sheza Chalmer (Vital Equine) in the shadows of the post. According to thewest.com.au, Ballantyne has plans to target the summer Ascot Carnival where he has hopes Chili Is Hot could emulate the deeds of his Perth Cup-winning filly Talent Show in 2013. With almost $200,000 in the bank, and a guaranteed future as a broodmare, the Ballantynes are sitting in the proverbial pound seat.