Big Tree Surprises In Ken Russell Memorial
- Saturday, 25 April 2015 08:29
Trainer Peter Balzen celebrated his return to the racetrack from an injury with an upset win at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Balzen's two-year-old Big Tree ($61) led most of the way to beat Blueberry Hill ($7) by a neck in the Group Three Ken Russell Memorial Classic.
The heavily backed favourite Regatta Rebel ($2.45) was a half neck back in third place.
Balzen was badly injured in a stable accident last year and was away from the racetrack for six months.
"I had a broken leg and pelvis," Balzen said.
"But I have got a couple of good girls who help me out and we kept the stable going."
Balzen has always had a good opinion of Big Tree who is by the top sire Snitzel out of the mare Croft who Balzen bought at a dispersal sale.
"We had a sister to him which we sold for $150,000 and we have one on the ground out of Croft who is by Foxwedge," he said.
Balzen not only played a part in breeding Big Tree but he also had a role in naming the colt.
"When I worked in Sydney I rode trackwork for trainer Athol Mulley," he said. "He had a horse named Big Tree which was a lovely quiet stallion.
"This one reminded me of him so I decided to call him Big Tree."
Blueberry Hill rattled home from well back and would have won in a few more bounds, according to jockey Larry Cassidy.
Jockey Blake Shinn said Regatta Rebel had her chance to run down the winner.
