Big Story credits his sire What’s The Story with his first winner as he strides to victory on the Novara Park stallion What’s The Story has opened his account in style, siring his first winner with his impressive son Big Story at Ballarat last Friday.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and nominated for the Gr. 1 Caulfield Guineas, the three-year-old sat in third place before quickening smartly in the straight to take control of the 1400-metre maiden race.
Big Story was bred by Novara Park principal Luigi Muollo’s Explosive Breeding Ltd. He was originally trained by Clinton Isdale, for whom he won two trials and had one start at Avondale before relocating across the Tasman.
Now racing in the familiar hooped colours of syndicators OTI Racing, Big Story is still part-owned by Muollo.
“We are really excited about Big Story, and he is another horse who could add to Novara Park’s outstanding record as one of the best strike rates at the highest level amongst New Zealand breeders,” Muollo told RaceForm this week.
“We knew Big Story was a very good horse when he won his trial at Cambridge. It was the fastest time over the distance (950 metres) out of 13 trials on the day, including older horses with a number of wins and with good ratings.
“His win at Ballarat was over one and a half seconds inside standard time and just outside the course record. I think he is a big hope and will appreciate stepping up in distance.”
Himself by champion sire Savabeel out of a half-sister to the top-class mare Tall Poppy, What’s The Story showed real quality in a racetrack career that was curtailed by injury. He was a two-race winner and finished second in the Gr. 1 New Zealand Derby in 2016 – beaten by a short head by Rangipo in a desperate finish.
With his oldest progeny now three-year-olds, What’s The Story has been represented by only two runners to date but has many other prospects waiting in the wings.
“There are a number of nice progeny around by What’s The Story, including half-sisters to Doncaster winner Mr Brightside and New Zealand Oaks winner Jennifer Eccles,” Muollo said.
“A filly by What’s The Story out of Ambrose (trained by Shaun Phelan) was also very impressive winning her trial (on July 19). She was slow away and went around the field like they were standing still.
“We are really proud to be standing the first proven son of champion sire Savabeel. What’s The Story has the perfect mix of speed and stamina – a three-length winner on debut over 1200 metres, and second in the New Zealand Derby. One more stride and he would have won it!
“At $4000 plus GST, What’s The Story is not only affordable, but he is a bargain. I can see him quickly increasing in service fee moving forward, so it’s a great opportunity for breeders to take advantage of his fee for this season.”
What’s The Story is part of a four-pronged stallion roster at Novara Park, standing alongside King Of Comedy, Staphanos and Sweynesse.
