BALLISTIC BALASTIER TAKES HAT-TRICK

Free wheeling sprinter Balastier made it three wins in succession for trainer Danny O'Brien with another brutal display of speed over 1200m at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

The four-year-old has only been with the Cox Plate winning trainer for three starts and it has been for three dominant wins.

O'Brien's Racing Manager Jack Howard said it was a satisfying result to get the metro win for Ultra Thoroughbreds and he heaped praise on apprentice jockey Tom Prebble for the son of Brazen Beau's stunning form.

"A huge shout out needs to go to Tom as this horse wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him," Howard said post race. 

"He came to us as a runaway recalcitrant  that no-one wanted to hop on after he was scratched from the trials because he took off on the way to gates. But Tom came in, jumped on and put in the work and he was able to get him to win his first two this prep. Hopefully seeing him win again puts a smile on his face during his recovery." 

Howard said the stable would aim to keep placing Balastier to advantage and was hopeful that would include running during Cup week down the Flemington straight.  

Pic by Racing Photos