A brave and talented Chiggsy (Bettor’s Delight) had to dig deep to win the $50,000 Group Three Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham today for Off n Racing Syndications.
Driver Blair Orange showed his intent to lead and the early competition was intense, with Fanfare and On Ya Bike heading in the same direction. Chiggsy reached the front at the 1000 metre mark and had the majority of the field off the bit inside the last 500 metres. It was left up to outsider Captain Wolf to offer the last challenge but he came up a half a length short.
“He was bloody awesome. He’s a funny fella and doesn’t really show you that at home, but in his two race day starts he’s really stepped up,” said Hayden Cullen who trains in partnership with wife Amanda.
Chiggsy and Blair Orange winning the Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes (Monica Toretto Photo)
The time on a rain affected track was an excellent 1-54.7.
“He had to be good to win I thought, after doing all the work.”
It’s the third time Cullen has won the Kindergarten Stakes, having taken away the prize with Akuta in 2021 and Don’t Stop Dreaming whom he trained with Mark Purdon, in 2022.
“This race is won by a lot of good horses and it’s nice for Amanda and I to do it with one of ours.”
Orange has now won the classic seven times as has the stock of Bettor’s Delight.
Chiggsy was bought out of the 2025 Karaka Yearling Sale by Off n Racing's Andrew Fitzgerald for $37,500 and subsequently syndicated to sixty six owners. He’s out of Grace Way and is a full-brother to Forgotten Highway (12) and Man Of Action (20).
Chiggsy and Andrew Fitzgerald (black vest) after winning the Kindergarten Stakes (Monica Toretto Photo)
“Fitzy took him down and he said he travelled great. They had a camera in the back of the float and he said he slept the whole way and ate all his dinner last night. Fitz does a great job with his syndicates and there were a bunch of them at Addington to see his first win.”
Chiggsy is named after Fitzgerald’s cousin Connor Higgs who passed away in late 2024.
“This is the first horse I bought after that, so it’s pretty special. It's been a tough 18 months, it's something that will effect me for the rest of my life. We knew this Colt was talented and the syndicate were nice enough to let me name him in honor of Connor, I'm indebted to them all as it's bringing a lot of joy to the whole family.
Fitzgerald bought a Sweet Lou colt at this years sales. He’s out of Beach Parade which is a half brother to Party On.
“He’s still got shares available in him. We really like him,” Cullen said.
Possible targets for Chiggsy are the $100,000 Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic at Ascot Park at the end of April and the $100,000 Avon City Ford Welcome Stakes in May at Addington.
“We’ll have a yarn to Fitzy first and do what’s right by the horse.”
Lot 50 - Sweet Lou x Beach Parade (Colt)
Shares are available in this year's purchase: Lot 50 - Sweet Lou x Beach Parade
