An astute $900 purchase at a Perth Winter Thoroughbred Sale paid the ultimate dividend on Saturday when classy galloper Sunrange won the $150,000 listed Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m).
With a red hot Duncan Miller in the saddle, Sunrange was able to show great fight to hold out Telexden and win by a short neck.
The win completed a remarkable few days for Miller who on Wednesday won the listed Hannan’s Handicap aboard Perth Yearling Sale graduate King Kool Kat.
In a thrilling head and head struggle up the straight in yesterday’s big race Miller and Sunrange were able to hold out Telexden, ridden by his uncle, riding veteran Danny Miller.
Cheering their charge home in the famous race were owners Patrick and Janine Buckless who bred the son of Eternity Range under their Sunset Rugs business.
The Buckless’ paid just $900 for Sunrange’s dam Pin Up Doll when offered by Mungrup Stud at the 2004 Magic Millions Perth Winter Thoroughbred Sale.
The mare was in foal to Eternity Range – the resultant foal being Sunrange and as they say – the rest is history.
While Pin Up Doll sadly died without producing another foal, the $240,000 earned to date by Sunrange makes the $900 purchase look like a masterstroke.
Prepared from Lark Hill by well regarded horsewoman Helen Starley, Sunrange has won seven races at distances from 1500 to 2300 metres.
The talented six-year-old has won a pair of races at both Perth tracks, Ascot and Belmont as well as victories at Pinjarra and Bunbury.
Sunrange is a half brother to two winners including the two-year-old winning King of Kings mare Hey Pretty Momma – the dam of Adrian Knox Stakes placegetter Hey Pretty Katies.
Pin Up Doll, by Snippets, is a sister to Tantinet (dam of Show Barry), three quarter sister to Cheval Place, Snippet’s Girl (dam of Academy Dancer), Snippets’ Show, Deep Snip and Our Side Show (dam of Omnitrader and Stockade).
It is also the same family as quality performers Fully Fledged, Rouquin, Patpong and Chakvetadze.
