Ex-journalist hits jackpot with Soxagon

Consistent gelding Soxagon is a perfect example of how studying bloodlines can produce a surprise racetrack star.

Soxagon will go down as one of the bargains of all time if he can win the Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The gelding was bred by former sports editor Brian Burke who is following his dream of breeding a stakes winner.

Burke, who as a teenager worked for top Melbourne trainer Tom Hughes, is a keen student of bloodlines.

Burke retired in 2013 and he and his wife Anne bought a mare by stallion Van Nistelrooy named Strike On Goal for $600.

Strike On Gold’s first two foals went through the sales ring and later won maiden races.

But Burke decided to keep the mare’s third foal by unheralded sire Rocker who won several races for former Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon.

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“I like Rocker’s pedigree, being by Fastnet Rock from an Encosta De Lago mare and I thought it would go well with Strike On Gold’s bloodlines,” Burke said.

Soxagon got his name because he had four white socks when he was foaled but when it was time to brand him, the two front socks had gone.

“The vet said ‘the socks are gone’ and we had his name,” Burke said.

Soxagon was originally trained by Ben Currie whose father Mark has had him for his past four wins.

Burke and Currie have such a high opinion of Soxagon that after he won at the Gold Coast last week they decided to try to sneak into the Stradbroke via the Victory Stakes.

“Everything would have to fall into place to even get a Stradbroke start let alone win. So we are dreaming,” Burke said.

“But he finished second to Vega One in The Gateway and he is Stradbroke second favourite. So you never know.”