Astute Wagga trainer Peter Morgan had limited knowledge of the Duporth breed before sending a mare to the Group 1-winning stallion in 2017.
It’s five years later and Morgan is learning more all the time about the Duporths – and he really likes what he is finding out.
Cha Cha Dancer’s visit to Duporth (pictured) at Kooringal Stud resulted in Burrandana, who has emerged as a leading chance for the $150,000 SDRA Country Championship qualifier at Albury on February 25.
Burrandana has started on four occasions, finishing fourth on debut before stringing together three impressive wins at his home track.
Duporth was standing at $7700 when Cha Cha Dancer was booked and Morgan felt the son of Red Ransom represented value.
“The main reason I went to Duporth was because he was in the right price bracket,” Morgan said.
“I never had much to do with the Duporths until Burrandana came along.
“But I now have five others by him.
“It’s turned out a good move with Burrandana and it’s given me a bit to look forward to with the others.”
Morgan trained Cha Cha Dancer, giving her only four starts for three placings in 2007.
He was always confident the daughter of Danehill Dancer would prove herself as a broodmare.
“She was as good a horse as I’ve ever had but she bowed a tendon three times and we never saw the best of her,” Morgan said.
“All of her foals have been able to gallop.”
Cha Cha Dancer’s first to race was Zarlu, who won nine races from 1200m to 1600m and $175,000 in prizemoney.
Then followed Rusty’s Delight with two wins and three placings from just seven starts.
“Zarlu had ability while Rusty’s Delight was even better but he cracked a sesamoid,” Morgan lamented.
“Cha Cha Dancer’s next foal Jag won on debut but had the heart the size of a split pea and never went on with it.”
Burrandana’s unraced little sister Cookardinia will be Cha Cha Dancer’s final representative.
Morgan’s long-time client Jeff Miller races Burrandana along with David Lloyd.
Lloyd, whose father Kerry has a lengthy association with Morgan, grew up in the farming district of Burrandana which is south of Wagga.
“We were having trouble getting a name through so I gave Burrandana a try,” Lloyd said.
“We called his sister Cookardinia, which is another small place not far from Burrandana.”
Duporth has proven highly consistent at stud, with the Group 1 star Hey Doc among his 205 winners from 305 to race.
The BTC Cup victor stood at Kooringal until he was relocated to Queensland two seasons ago.
