Yarradale Stud sire Gingerbread Man has taken an early lead for the WA 2YO Sires’ premiership with earnings over $181,000 after his unbeaten colt Beatty put several youngsters to the sword in the Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m) on Saturday.

Beatty had won on debut at Ascot earlier this month and showed more maturity and improvement second-up for owner-breeder Wally Daly and co-trainers Sean and Jake Casey.  He jumped a length in front before handing up the lead to Frosted Warrior (Frosted) but was keen to go faster until angling four wide on the corner.

Given clear air in the straight, Beatty only required one reminder from Willie Pike and he was off and gone to score by more than two lengths over Consignment (Playing God) and Rogue Ruler (Universal Ruler).

“That was pretty impressive,” Sean Casey said.  “He’s got an engine and had his head up before Willie let the fizz out of the bottle otherwise he would blown the cap off.  He’s not eligible for the Magic Millions so we will talk with Wally and decide if he goes for a spell and whether to keep him a colt.

“He can be a scary ride of a morning and thanks to Kesh Dhurun for all his work at the track.”

Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) has WA First-Season and 2YO titles to his credit and he also sired Ima Single Man to win the G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) in 2020.  The Crystal Slipper lost its black-type status in 2005 and that seemed a tough call after earlier winners Covertly (2003) and Hardrada (2001) graduated to Group 1 victories in the Railway Stakes.

Wally Daly has been one of Gingerbread Man’s biggest supporters and he has welcomed several foals this season including a full-sister to Beatty from Femmette (Murtajill).  Others include fillies from Fatale Femme (Shooting To Win) and Toronado Magic (Toronado) and a colt out of Winning Pia (Shooting To Win).

Yarradale would have also been happy with the debut effort by homebred filly Hillside Avenue in the Crystal Slipper.  She’s a Pinatubo (Ire) half-sister to Valour Road (Frost Giant) and was making ground before stewards reported she was held up and taken inwards approaching the 200m.

Beatty wins the Crystal Slipper on Saturday / Photo: Western Racepix