Korilya Stud owner Ellie Giles had been a long-time supporter of War Chant (USA) during his 12 books at Yarradale Stud and she struck again with Keep Ita Mystery at Belmont on Saturday.

A successful south-west breeder for many years, Giles got in on the ground-floor booking her mare Fiorentina (Dubai Destination) into War Chant’s first southern book in 2011.  That combination produced Group 1 mare Silent Sedition to win the 2017 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Keep Ita Mystery had disappointed first-up last month but Luke Fernie put it down to trainer error.  “He was new and wasn’t fit enough,” Fernie admitted.  “He’s a big boy and relaxed on firmer footing today.”

Fernie bought him for $65,000 at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions from Willow Dale Farm (as agent) for Korilya Stud.  His dam Mystery Affair is by Yarradale resident Gingerbread Man who also sired the Giles-bred Group 2-winning millionaire Red Can Man.

Keep Ita Mystery sat outside his front-running stablemate Nicely Played (Nicconi) and pinched a winning break in the straight before holding out the closers Gold Maker (Universal Ruler) and Promising (Pierata).

Fernie believes the 3yo will be a better chaser and praised winning jockey Chris Parnham for summing up the race perfectly.  “He had improved with that first-up run under his belt and Luke removed the winkers today,” Parnham reported.  “It was a steady pace and he sprinted hard off the corner.”

Mystery Affair’s new-season 2yo by War Chant has been named Where's Timmy.  He was purchased from Yarradale Stud (as agent) for $30,000 at the Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale in June and will be raced by a partnership comprising Jill Triscari, Grant Burns, Ryan Fuller, Kim Doak, Maria Manfredini and Luke Fernie.

Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) will stand at Yarradale for a $5,500 (inc GST) service fee this year.  Stud manager Davy Hanratty can be contacted for bookings or further details on (08) 9574 6490 or 0429 326 904.

KEEP ITA MYSTERY / Photo: Western Racepix