Paddock announcer Pamela Ballantine welcomes back her winner Billable Grant© Photo Healy Racing
Billable Grant caused a 66/1 upset to win Down Royal's opening Bluegrasshorsefeed.com Maiden Hurdle today, scoring in the colours of the racecourse's paddock announcer Pamela Ballantine.
The son of Watar finished sixth, twice, to smart types Sandor Clegane and O'Toole on his two previous starts and today arrived from mid-field to beat Imperial Ruler by five lengths.
Afterwards winning trainer Colin McBratney reported “I ran him in a point-to-point where Noel McParlan rode him and he lost his action but he came in and said 'that horse will win his fourth or fifth (run)'.
"We ran him in a bumper and he ran okay behind Paul Nolan's horse (Sandor Clegane) and for a backward horse he ran nicely here the last day.
"He got a bit of a break over Christmas and came back and won a schooling hurdle.
“I said to Gavin (Brouder, winning jockey) to get him into a rhythm and it was a pleasant surprise as I didn't think he would be good enough to win that today. I think he'll go on any ground. He has a nice bit of pace and jumps and stays.
"He might be a horse for Perth as Pamela likes to go there for a day or two. We'll keep him in a low grade if we can and see where we go."
Owner Ballantine, also local TV personality, added “Colin spotted him at the Sales just over two years ago.
"It is the first winner in my own colours, I've had winners in syndicates with Colin before.
"I just happened to be paying my bill for Balgowlah and saw this horse and said he looked nice!"
Quotes from Michael Graham
