First Australian Stakes Winner for Real Impact

Neorealism's close relation, Real Impact, has sired his first Australian Stakeswinner over the weekend. Lunar Impact, was able to pull off a fighting win in the $250,000 Group III City Of Belmont-WA Oaks (2400m) on Saturday.   

Ridden by Jason Whiting for trainer and part-owner David Harrison, Lunar Impact made a move mid-race to take the lead after being caught wide in transit.

The daughter of Real Impact (JPN) was entitled to weaken following a tough run. Instead, the $51 chance began to rally, first turning back the second favourite Temptation, then holding the challenge of favourite Pure Devotion (So You Think) to win by a short-neck. Temptation (All Too Hard) was a further three-quarter of a length back in third.

​Lunar Impact was coming off a fading fifth in the Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m) at Ascot. Before that, she beat one of the ten runners home in the Listed 1000 Guineas and tailed the field home in the Listed Challenge Stakes.

However, her trainer had no doubts about her ability to stay.
“We knew she lacked a sprint, so we thought we would let her bowl along a bit and put the pressure on from a long way out,” Harrison said. “All she does is want to stay. She has no kick, but I think she will run all day.

​A $26,000 pinhook by Westbury Park out of the Newhaven Park Stud draft at the 2018 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, Lunar Impact was consigned by Western Breeders Alliance to the 2019 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale where she was knocked down to Bridge Patrol Lodge for $62,500.

The strapping daughter of Real Impact is a half-sister to the talented Man Of choice (Manhattan rain), who placed in the Group 1 ATC Spring Champion Stakes, Group II Phar Lap Stakes and Group III Gloaming Stakes.

She will now target the Derby in 2 weeks time.