Ginger Baker defied top-weight of 60kg and a 600km journey to Kalgoorlie for a resounding victory in the Coolgardie Cup (1760m) on Sunday.

The veteran son of Yarradale Stud sire Gingerbread Man owns a career-card going back to a Pinjarra maiden win in December 2020 and the 11th victory in 54 starts advanced his earnings to $673,000 for Pearce Racing and Greenfields Lodge owner-breeder Tony Patrizi.

Ginger Baker jumped to the front for Brad Parnham before relinquishing the lead to It's A Lance (Blackfriars).  Manoeuvred off the fence into the straight, he took control and was good enough to defeat $2.70 favourite Sentimental Hero (Al Maher) on the line.

It was the first-leg of the three Goldfields Cups and his connections have every reason to be optimistic ahead of the LR Boulder Cup (2100m) on September 21 and LR Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m) on October 4.

“That was another top performance by Ginger Baker yesterday,” co-trainer Dan Pearce said on Monday morning.  “It was his second feature win in the past couple of months and he continues to race in career-best form.  Congratulations to Greenfields Lodge and thanks to Brad for making the trip up there to ride him.

“We decided to go to the Coolgardie Cup instead of staying in Perth for the Farnley.  Getting out to 1760m suited and we knew he would be very hard to beat as long as he handled the travel.”

Ginger Baker (8g Gingerbread Man - Spring Violet by Encosta de Lago) went out a well-supported $3 second favourite following a LR South West Cup (2200m) win at Bunbury in July.  He was also placed in the G3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Pinjarra in June and LR Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) at Belmont in August.

The Coolgardie Cup was Gingerbread Man’s third feature win this season following Phanta who doubled up the LR Belmont Newmarket (1200m) at Pinjarra and LR Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) at Belmont last month.

Patrizi is also walking on air after weekend that started with his Demerit-bred mare Jazz Affair winning at Moonee Valley on Saturday.  He bred Ginger Baker from Spring Violet and her Gingerbread Man colt was a $75,000 buy for Neville Parnham at this year’s Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) stands alongside Shooting To Win (Northern Meteor) at Yarradale and they are both priced at $5,500 (inc GST) service fees this season.   For all enquiries contact Stud Manager Davy Hanratty on 0429 336 904.

Ginger Baker and Brad Parnham return to scale with Tony Patrizi after an earlier win at Belmont  / Photo: Western Racepix