Gingerbread Man kept the till ticking over with two winners this week ahead of Saturday’s LR Farnley Stakes (1400m) at Belmont.

The Yarradale Stud stallion has Ginger Baker gunning for a black-type breakthrough and Ginger Flyer provides a strong back-up in the main race.  His other winning chances at the meeting include Valency and Red Fifty Three.

Team Williams trains Red Fifty Three and Gingerbread Man hot-shot Berbere who maintained a 50% winning strike-rate in the Quayclean Hcp (1200m) last weekend.  He stalked the speed and kept lifting for Willie Pike to defeat Celebrity Prince (Xtravagant).

“He had a two-week freshen-up and had been sharp in his gallops at home,” co-trainer Grant Williams reported.  “That doesn’t replace races but it did him the world of good.  He had been a bit muscle-sore and we have to be careful with his knees.”

Berbere was a $33,000 purchase for Ian O’Connor from Yarradale at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions and in a half-dozen starts the lightly-raced 4yo has returned $138,440 including Westspeed bonuses of $55,900.

He’s the first live foal from Habenera (War Chant) who was a York winner for Geisel Park.  She followed up with unraced 3yo Don Generale (Gingerbread Man) with Gangemi Thoroughbreds, a 2yo filly by Gingerbread Man that cost $55,000 at this year’s Perth Magic Millions and a yearling colt by Bradbury's Luck.

Chris and Michael Gangemi struck again on Wednesday when Bread To Flirt won the Western Racepix Hcp (1300m) at Belmont.  The Gingerbread Man mare has only been out of a place once in seven starts this winter campaign and she maintained that momentum in the narrow victory over Wango Award (Shamus Award).  “She tries so hard – 110% - and was back in grade after placing in the race won by Costazita,” Chris said.  “She races fiercely and Brad (Parnham) said taking the winkers off was a winning move.”

Gingerbread Man sired Bread To Flirt from Naughty Affair (Danehill Express).  Second-dam O’Flirty (O’Reilly) had won a LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot back in 2004.

Nathan Jaskola (BFA Racing) bought Naughty Affair for $50,000 from the Toreby Park consignment to the 2013 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.  She retired unraced but is two-for-two at stud for Jaskola and his breeding partners - her only other foal to race has been two-time Belmont winner Seduce Me (Lucky Street).

Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) stands at Yarradale for at $5,500 alongside War Chant (Danzig) at $8,250.  Both fees (inc GST).

BERBERE / Photo: Western Racepix