Benalla-based trainer Peter Smith has been searching for a replacement for his former stable star Play Master and says he has found that horse after a maiden win at Flemington.
Play Master won 15 races from his 83 starts and almost $500,000 in prize money, but Smith said Gundaroo , the winner of the Eynesbury Estate Plate (1200m) on Wednesday has the ability to eclipse that gelding.
An on-line purchase for $2700, Smith said Gundaroo has the ability to at least get to Saturday city company and potentially to Stakes grade.
Ridden by Rhys Mcleod, Gundaroo ($15) held off a late bid from the $2 favourite Acid Wash to score by a short head with Rewards And More ($6) a length away third.
Smith was taken by the breeding cross of Gundaroo who is by Hallowed Crown from Lycra Lass, a daughter of Shamardal .
"He's by Hallowed Crown from a Shamardal mare, and when you cross them together, it's unbelievable," Smith said.
"I don't know why they don't cross more, but I've bought a couple of Shamardal mares to send to him."
While purchasing some Shamardal mares to send to Hallowed Crown in the hope of producing a quality galloper, Smith said he had stepped away from the breeding side before acquiring Gundaroo.
But Smith said he had entered the online sale sphere in the search of a cheap, good horse.
"He's a lovely horse and I really like him," Smith said of Gundaroo.
"I love his tenacity, his stride, he's a got a lot going for him.
"He was a very cheap online purchase and I feel a little bit bad about that, claiming it off someone who had died.
"But he had been left in the paddock for six months and he looked like something that had just come down out of the hills in the photo.
"He looked terrible, but his pedigree, a Shamardal mare crossed with Hallowed Crown is unbelievable."
Gundaroo broke through for his maiden win down the Flemington straight, a track that Play Master was successful over on four occasions.
