Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Astute trainer-reinsman Aldo Cortopassi had no great expectations for Bazaar Package at her city debut in the 2130m TABtouch Pace for two-year-old fillies at Gloucester Park on Friday night after she had managed just only one placing, a third at Pinjarra, from five country appearances.
However, Bazaar Package, the rank outsider at $44, caused an upset when she gave a bold frontrunning exhibition to win by three lengths from the $2.35 favourite Pecunious.
Bazaar Package was smartest to begin from the No. 3 barrier and she took up the running after 300m from the $3.20 second fancy and polemarker Seaside Gem.
Bazaar Package relished her frontrunning role and was not extended in winning from debutant Pecunious, who finished solidly from fifth at the bell.
“She is a nice filly and I like her,” said Cortopassi. “But she has a few issues and I have been working through them. I have been teaching her in country races to settle down. She has been getting herself all hyped up and angry, and now it is nice having her to settled down better. “I think she is the first foal by Ultimate Machete to win at Gloucester Park.”
The New Zealand-bred Ultimate Machete was retired after racing 32 times for 13 wins, 11 placings and stakes of $823,896. He finished second to the brilliant Vincent in both the New South Wales Derby and the New Zealand Derby at Addington in 2017.
Ultimate Machete created a big impression at his four starts at Gloucester Park where he won the Group 1 Four-Year-Old Classic from Handsandwheels and the Group 1 Golden Nugget from Maczaffair late in 2017 before finishing fourth behind My Hard Copy, Lazarus and Chicago Bull in the 2018 Fremantle Cup.
Bazaar Package is the fourth foal out of Secret Dragon, who earned $63,819 from nine wins and 13 placings from 60 starts. Secret Dragon is also the dam of Follow The Dragon (68 starts for six wins, 18 placings and $53,100) and Gypsy Dragon (29 starts for four wins, ten placings and $34,577).
Bazaar Package is owned by Albany residents Bob and Ruth Poolman, who purchased the filly for $17,000 at the APG 2022 Perth yearling sale. She has earned $13,565 from her one win and one third from six starts.