3/7/09 Purton at home in Honkers

Talented jockey Zac Purton headed to the cauldron of Hong Kong for a short stint and has not looked back, reports John Schell.

It was just more than two years ago that the one-time Australian whiz kid apprentice Zac Purton was given the call-up to ride in Hong Kong. And after a winning treble at the season-ending meeting at Sha Tin on Wednesday, Purton repaid those who had faith in him to succeed by securing third place on the premiership behind champion riders Douglas Whyte and Brett Prebble. Even champion Australian jockey Darren Beadman, who also enjoyed success at Sha Tin on Wednesday, was left in Purton's wake.

Rated one of the best young jockeys in Australia in his junior days, when coming through the apprentice ranks with subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Michael Rodd, Purton initially went to Hong Kong on only a short-term contract.

But when success led to more success his time was extended, so much so that he will stay on in Hong Kong for the next season at least. "It was a change when I first came here a couple of years ago," Purton said from Hong Kong on Wednesday night before starting a well-earned holiday yesterday.

"But myself and [partner] Nicole have settled in really well and are loving life. I enjoy the racing here and living here really suits me, too."

Purton booted home 29 winners in his opening HK season and factored in a "10 per cent improvement" for season two.

"I thought if I rode 35 winners this time it would be an acceptable effort but I have managed to exceed that," he said. "The last month has been particularly good. I'm really glad I came here. I wanted to take the next step in my career and get some international experience. If I stayed for the initial three months I would have been happy, now I've been here two years and I've gathered some momentum."

Despite taking a holiday Purton said he still planned to "keep myself in the saddle" during the Hong Kong off-season for "I've got to keep aspiring to improve myself".

"I've got a few offers to ride during the break from Hong Kong," he said. "I've had someone ask me to ride a horse in Adelaide a couple of times next month which I may do while I've also been asked to ride in Singapore.

"There is also a trip to Perth planned to ride some horses in trackwork that have been earmarked to head to Singapore. All that will keep me busy, but I will still enjoy a bit of time off as well."

Purton has enjoyed success with Hong Kong-based trainer Caspar Fownes and rode a winner for him on Wednesday to help him secure the trainers' premiership over Australians John Moore and John Size. "Caspar is a good friend and we've had a good run but I've ridden winners for a lot of trainers this season which is good," said Purton.

"One thing I've learnt over here is that you just have to take things one day at a time. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself.

"The goal now is to come back next season and improve even more on what I achieved in the one just ended. If I can do that I will be happy."

3/7/09 Stage set for Puttanesca and Glen Boss

The stage is set for New Zealand filly Puttanesca (Bertolini) and big-race Australian jockey Glen Boss to pit their wares against America’s best on Sunday.

Setting out in the Grade 1 American Oaks (2000m) at Hollywood Park, the pair will not only be having their first start together, but individually will be having their first outing on US turf also.

Fortunately, Puttanesca’s New Zealand-based trainer Wayne Hillis is no stranger to the Los Angeles racing scene.

Hillis took Boulevardofdreams over for the same race in 2004 and is optimistic his 2009 charge will acquit herself well.
"This filly will be a lot better suited than the other one (Boulevardofdreams, who finished 7th)," Hillis told NZPA.
"The race suits a mile-to-2000 metre horse with a turn of foot, rather than a grinding stayer. It's quite a turning track over there.
"She's definitely a good chance."

Trained in partnership with wife Vanessa, Puttanesca (NZ) won the Gr.2 Royal Stakes over 2000m at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, before finishing second in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and third in the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic (2000m).

Since resuming, the 3YO has added two runner-up performances to her passport, with the net effect of these taking her record to 11 starts, 2 wins at 1200m and 2000m and 5 placings

Bred by Seaton Park’s Scott and Katie Eagleton, the filly was sold to Hong Kong-based Y K Wong in March and is likely to continue her racing career in the US with an American trainer following Sunday’s contest.

2/7/09 Kiwis signal Hong Kong intentions

Two extra smart New Zealand Bloodstock graduates signalled their intentions for next season with terrific victories at Sha Tin on the last day of Hong Kong's racing season.

Jackpot Delight

The richest event on the card, the HK$1,750,000 Class 1 The Sha Tin Mile Trophy (1600m), was taken out by ghostly grey Jackpot Delight (Danasinga x Principation, by Prince Echo), giving his trainer Casper Fownes a premiership winning 68 winners in Hong Kong this season.

Formerly raced in New Zealand by the Mark Walker stable as Hamlet's Ghost, the five-year-old won five races in a row on Kiwi soil before making his way to Hong Kong. Now the winner of two in Hong Kong, Jackpot Delight has placed in four Group races there including a close second in the prestigious 2008 Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Derby.

Last night Jackpot Delight thrilled over 63,000 on-course racing fans in the process of winning the last race of the season by a neck in the hands of Weichong Marwing.

Relaxed at the tail of the field in running, Marwing pulled Jackpot Delight to the very outside of the field in the roomy Sha Tin straight and, reeling in the leaders, he fought off fellow fast finisher Mr Medici (Medicean) on his inside to score the victory.

He posted a slick time of 1.34.88 for the 1600m, made more impressive by the fact that early sectionals for the race indicated a lackadaisical pace up front.

The win took his Hong Kong earnings to HK$7,698,750 (NZ$1,550,000) for Peter Law Kin Sang, but more importantly signalled a return to the winner's circle which bodes well for next season.

A $55,000 purchase by David Ellis from Waikato Stud at the 2005 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale, Jackpot Delight is a grandson of champion mare Emancipation (Bletchingly), as are Group 1 winners Railings and Virage de Fortune. Also a grey, Emancipation won six Group 1 races including the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap.

Another who showed plenty of ability on New Zealand soil before taking on Hong Kong was Kabalevsky (Giant's Causeway x Lucrative Dame, by Zeditave), now raced as Amigo from the Michael Chang Stable.

Trained by Stephen Marsh to win two trials and a Waverly maiden race by seven lengths, with a further ten lengths back to third, Amigo had shown enormous prowess for racing and he delivered again last night at his first outing in Hong Kong.

The aptly named Being Famous Handicap (1200m) saw a field of fourteen face the judge including a hot favourite in fellow NZ-bred, Always Something (Black Minnaloushe), who was unbeaten in two starts.

Positioned similarly to Jackpot Delight at the tail of the field by Zac Purton, Amigo was not sighted as horses turned for home, and furthermore, was not picked up on camera shot until 100m metres from home due to his wide roaming use of the Sha Tin straight.

Amigo put paid to his rivals in a few long, stretching strides, with his three-quarter length winning margin doing little justice to his dominance.

Trainer Michael Chang can be very pleased with himself having purchasing the colt from the draft of Gordon Cunningham's Curraghmore Stud at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale for $170,000. Amigo is now raced in the blue and yellow checked squares of the 2008/09 Michael Chang Trainer Syndicate.

Unbeaten in two starts, Amigo has earned his price tag back already, with plenty to like about his prospects in Hong Kong next season as a four-year-old.

New Zealand had further success on Hong Kong racing's farewell for the season, picking up two awards at the 2009 Champion Awards.

South Island Sale graduate More Bountiful (Van Nistelrooy x Centaine Gu Li, by Centaine) picked up the title for Most Improved Horse for trainer John Moore after a season which saw him increase his rating by 72 points to 124 with six victories including the HK-2 HKJC Chairman's Trophy, beating Viva Pataca and Fellowship.

The $38,000 purchase by John Foote from Little Avondale Stud won HK$6,335,000 (NZ$1,300,000) for The Lucky Lord Syndicate this season.

Hong Kong buyers were also reminded of the value of buying NZ thoroughbreds at the annual Hong Kong International Sale when Big Profit (Howbaddouwantit x Fairdale Lass, by Centaine) followed in the footsteps of multiple Group 1 winners Good Ba Ba and Scintillation in winning the HK$1,000,000 (NZ$200,000 approx.)Hong Kong International Sale bonus.

Big Profit

A $160,000 purchase by the Hong Kong Jockey Club from Fairdale Stud at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale, Big Profit won the prize due to having the highest accumulation of prizemoney of any 2007 HKIS graduate. In the final tally Big Profit won HK$4,124,875 from five victories this season for Danny Shum and owners Mr & Mrs Yem Ming and Mr & Mrs William Yem Wai Lai.

Your next opportunity to buy from New Zealand Bloodstock is the Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale on Sunday 2 August followed by the South Island Sale of 2YOs & Mixed Bloodstock on Friday 2 August.

1/7/09 NZ dominates HK season results

Today sees the conclusion of a remarkable season in Hong Kong for New Zealand thoroughbreds, having out-performed all other nations represented in terms of number of winners, strike rate of winners to runners and prizemoney won. New Zealand-bred horses are also the highest represented of any country in the recently released Hong Kong Champion Awards nominees, with five individuals up for six different awards.

Nominated for two awards, the Champion Stayer and Champion Middle-Distance titles, is the Danny Shum-trained Thumbs Up (Shinko King x Regelle by Exploding Prospect). Footing it against Hong Kong's best, he's had eight starts in Hong Kong to win on two occasions and place on four. The courageous four-year-old fought to the line to win the HK-1 HKJC Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile ahead of fellow NZ-bred and award nominee More Bountiful (Van Nistelrooy x Centaine Gu Li by Centaine). He was second in the HK-1 HKJC Hong Kong Derby (2000m), second to reigning Champion Middle Distance Horse and Stayer Viva Pataca in the HK-1 HKJC Citi Champions and Chater Cup (2400m), as well as third in the Group 1HKJC Audemars Piquet Queen Elizabeth Cup (2000m).

NZB South Island Sale graduate More Bountiful

Heading those nominated for the Most Improved Horse title is John Moore's 2006 South Island Sale graduate More Bountiful.

More Bountiful's rating increased 72 points to 124 since the start of the season including five wins in a row before going down by the smallest of margins to Thumbs Up in the Hong Kong Mile. He subsequently took out the HK-2 HKJC Chairman's Trophy and in doing so beat NZ-bred, Fellowship, and Viva Pataca.

Queensland Bloodstock agent John Foote secured More Bountiful for NZ$38,000 from Little Avondale Stud.

It will be the third year in a row a New Zealand horse has won the Most Improved title, with Sight Winner the victor last season and Armada (Towkay) the season before.

Nominated for the Champion Sprinter Award from the John Size stable is HK-2 HKJC Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) winner Enthused (Centaine x Free as a Bird by Jugah).

Always positively ridden close to the pace by Douglas Whyte, Enthused mixed it with the best of Hong Kong's sprinters throughout the whole season with his defining victory coming in the HK-2 HKJC Cathay Pacific International Sprint Trial. His consistency for John Size saw him place in the HK 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize and the HK-1 Centenery Sprint Cup, while he ran a bold fourth in the Group 1 HKJC Cathay Pacific International Sprint when just one length away from the winner, Inspiration.

Aquanita Racing purchased Enthused at the 2005 Karaka Select Sale for NZ$40,000 from Windsor Park Stud.

NZ-bred geldings, Eqyptian Ra (Woodborough x Egyptian Queen by Karioi Lad) and Sight Winner (Faltaat x Kinjinette by Kinjite), account for two of the three nominees in the Champion Miler category.

In his second year in Hong Kong, Sight Winner took out the premier race of the season for milers, the Group 1 Hong Kong Champions Mile. He's won on seven occasions and placed on six for John Size. Another John Foote purchase, he was bought from the same sale as Enthused for NZ$60,000 from Westbury Stud.

The bold front-running tactics of Tony Cruz's Egyptian Ra ensured a stellar season for the gelding who placed at Group 1 level in New Zealand as a two-year-old before heading to Hong Kong. Now seven, Egyptian Ra raced to three successes from seven starts this season including victory over Good Ba Ba in both the HK-1 HKJC Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup and the HK-2 HKJC Cathay Pacific International Mile Trial.

New Zealand-based stallions have also been well represented not only as sires but also broodmare sires.

Waikato Stud sires Centaine and O'Reilly head the Broodmare Sire and General Sire Tables respectively. O'Reilly is joined by Shinko King, Stravinsky, Faltaat and Towkay in the top eight sires in Hong Kong.

Heading into the last day of racing, New Zealand horses have clearly out-performed any other nationality in Hong Kong this season. Accumulating the most prizemoney over the season to date they have amassed HK$293,343,112 from 203 wins from just 458 starters. In comparison, Australian-bred horses accounted for 494 starters (36 more) in Hong Kong and produced just 175 (28 less) winners for HK$241,039,341 (HK$52,303,771 less) prizemoney.

On top of that New Zealand-breds laid claim to ten stakes victories with British horses taking five and the Australian's four.

New Zealand Bloodstock's next sale is the Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale on Sunday 2 August followed by the South Island Sale of 2YOs & Mixed Bloodstock on Friday 2 August.

29/6/09 Given Vision takes second-leg of Singapore 3YO challenge

New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale graduate Given Vision claimed the second leg of the rich Singapore 3YO Challenge series for former Kiwi trainer Stephen Gray on Friday night.

The Singapore Group 2 event worth S$350,000 attracted fifteen of the very best three-year-olds of Singapore, including first leg winner Mooring (Bel Espirit). The middle leg of the three-race series, which aims to test competitors from 1200m - 1600m, was staged over 1400m at Kranji.

Given Vision scores in the second-leg of Singapore's 3YO Challenge

Photo: Singapore Turf Club

The step up in distance, and the addition of blinkers, allowed Given Vision (Belong to Me x Aurum Valley, by Made of Gold) to show his very best in the hands of Brazilian hoop Joao Moreira.

Saving ground on the fence towards the tail of the field for most of the journey, Moreira went for an inside run as the field swept wide over Kranji's finishing straight. The gaps appeared around the tiring leaders and Given Vision showed an explosive turn of foot to push through and pull away from his competitors.

Second place was filled by another Karaka graduate in Powerful Ruler (Viking Ruler x Capsimation, by Kaapstad), two and a half lengths behind Given Vision who completed the trip in 1.22.50.

The unmistakable gelding - marked with four white legs - was purchased by Stephen Gray at the 2007 Karaka Select Sale from Tom and Shelley Murtagh's Esker Lodge, the couple who are also responsible for selling Singapore star Revolte (French Deputy).

Gray paid $10,000 for Given Vision who has now won four of five starts to date for Jupiter Stable, and over S$284,000 in prizemoney.

His next target is the 1600m S$450,000 third-leg of the Singapore 3YO Challenge on 17 July, a race which trainer Stephen Gray had targeted for his gifted galloper all along.

"We have always felt that he is a very good horse and when Michael Cahill won on him on Singapore Airlines International Cup day (May 17) he said he would be a Group horse.

"I had the third leg over the mile picked out as his main race, so to win this along the way is something of a bonus, but after he drew in barrier two I said to Joao that he would run super and I must say that Joao gave him a great ride."

Karaka graduates continued to impress in Singapore on Friday night with Win In (Drama Critic x Audrey Rose, by Blue Razor) stamping himself as a serious Singapore Derby contender by winning the S$95,000 Kranji Stakes B (1800m).

Win In Derby Bound

Photo: Singapore Turf Club

The big, bold galloper trained by Patrick Shaw simply outstayed his opposition in a race run at a strong pace from the outset. Four back one off the fence, jockey Robbie Fradd got Win In moving forward early, as is the usual race pattern for the galloper dubbed as 'The Big Guy'.

The result was decided as soon as the competitors rounded the turn and Win In let down and strode out. Robbie Fradd was full of praise after the three-quarter length win with regard to the Singapore Derby on 12 July.

"That was the perfect trial for him. The faster the pace the better it will be for him," said Fradd who won the Derby in 2006 with Our Falstaff for Shaw.

"He's a big strong horse that needs to be ridden out from a long way. You've got to pull the whip on him. I think he's a big chance in the Derby."

Kiwi-breds provided the quinella in the race with Bruce Marsh's Demhillsofgold (Golan) getting home well for second, another who looks set for a big run in the S$1,000,000 Emirates Singapore Derby.

Win In was purchased by Peter Tennent for $45,000 at NZB's 2006 Ready to Run Sale. Sold by Windfields Farm, Win In is now raced by Tmen Stable for whom he has not finished further back than fifth in fourteen starts, including five wins and over S$284,000 in prizemoney.

New Zealand Bloodstock graduates enjoyed a further seven victories throughout Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau and Malaysia over the weekend. These include:

Name Breeding Race Sale Vendor Price Buyer
Victory Mascot Encosta De Lago x Flushed HK - Class 5 - 1600m 07K1 Curraghmore Stud $300,000 Michael Stedman
Medic Power Bertolini x Quintessence HK - Class 1 - 1200m 05K2 Kirkwall T'breds $45,000 LA O'Sullivan
Daring Commander The Commander x Letty Sing - Class 3 - 1600m 05RTR Tuidale Lodge $10,000 Kah Wui Lim
Pharaoh Greg City on a Hill x Iseult Mly - Class 5 - 1700m 04K3 Tamika Lodge $11,000 Andrew B'stock
Gutsy Power Bertolini x Bay Cafe Mly - Class 5 - 1700m 05K2 Havenfield Farm $19,000 Bob Kennet
Rescue Bag Felix the Cat x Kitty Ping Mly - Class 5 - 1700m 02RTR Fortune Farm $20,000 NZB as agent
Easy Choice Howbaddouwantit x Diamond Dust Mac - R70 - 1300m 07Carn Airlie Stud $14,000 Glenn Old

29/6/09 Black Mamba Strikes in Grade 2 Beverly Hills Handicap


Black Mamba (NZ)

Karaka graduate Black Mamba won her second consecutive Grade 2 US$150,000 Beverly Hills Handicap (2000m) at Hollywood Park today.

Black Mamba (Black Minnaloushe x Sneetch, by Grosvenor), who won this race last before scoring her biggest career victory in the Grade 1 John C Mabee Handicap at Santa Anita, is trained by John Sadler in California and was today partnered by jockey Garret Gomez.

Owned by Doubledown Stables, Black Mamba has now won five races from 25 starts and over US$800,000 in stakes, with connections eyeing back to back wins in the Group 1 John C Mabee Handicaps in early August.

Bred by Hawke's Bay businessman Sam Kelt and Sue Foote of Keltern Stud, Black Mamba (NZ) was sold as a yearling by Trelawney Stud at the Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$120,000.

She was purchased by Cambridge-based Murray Baker who trained the grand-daughter of Storm Cat to a win, and a creditable fifth in the Group 1 NZ Oaks, from ten starts before she was sold to American interests.

Now a mare with plenty of residual value, Black Mamba hails from a family packed with recent stakes success. Out of Group 3 winner and Group 1 Oaks placed Sneetch, Black Mamba is a half-sister to Gussy Godiva, dam of 2009 Group 1 Australian Derby winner Roman Emperor (Montjeu) and newly acquired Waikato Stud prospect Rios (Hussonet), a Group 2 winner who joins Danny O'Brien's Flemington stable from Murray Baker's yard.

Further stakes success for the family include this season's HK-3 HKJC Sprint Trophy victor Kildare (O'Reilly), Listed Otago Breeders' Stakes winner One Love (Danasinga), and one time Group 1 NZ Derby leading contender Sufficient (Zabeel).

Black Mamba's half-brother by Coolmore's Oratorio was bought by local agent, Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock, for $325,000 at Karaka's Premier Sale in January.

Sneetch is due to foal to New Zealand's 2007/08 Champion Sire O'Reilly in 2009.

28/6/09 Dan de Lago wins Derby in South Africa

Dan de Lago rounded out a massive day for Magic Millions graduates in features around the globe with success in the Group Two R350,000 Gold Circle Derby (2400m) at Clairwood on Saturday.

Trained by masterful South African horseman Charles Laird, Dan de Lago started the warm favourite and didn't let his supporters down - cruising home in the feature event to win by about two lengths.

Positioned between fourth and sixth for much of the race, Dan de Lago was able to make his run on the inside of runners in the straight - pounce on the lead with a furlong to run and win easily.

The three-year-old son of Encosta de Lago, who cost Laird $480,000 as a yearling at the Gold Coast in 2007, was sent out the favourite after a slashing last start second in the Group One Daily News 2000 Stakes at Greyville.

One of the most progressive gallopers in South Africa, Dan de Lago had won three of his seven starts prior to his Derby triumph.

He is one of two winners from the stakes winning and beautifully related Danehill mare The Golden Dane.

A winner of the Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill, The Golden Dane was also second in the Group One Flight Stakes at Randwick during her four win career.

She is a half sister to the Adrian Knox Stakes winner and AJC Oaks runner-up Seto Flowerian - a mare who would head to Japan and produce two stakes winners as well as the triple stakes winner Presina (dam of Faster Pussycat and grandam of Eagle Falls).

Another of The Golden Dane's half sisters, the lightly raced Poet's Breeze, has produced the classy Adelaide stakes winners Brindabella, Lawson's Storm and Peacemaker.Dan de Lago's win rounded out a massive day of stakes race successes for Magic Millions graduates around Australia and abroad.

At the Sunshine Coast's biggest meeting of the year Reggie, a recent buy at the National Broodmare Sale, thumped her rivals in the Caloundra Cup.

In the very next race the classy Gold Coast three-year-old Za Magic scored a runaway success in the Sunshine Coast Guineas.

Both black type events contested at the Belmont meeting in Perth fell the way of Magic Millions graduates.

Progressive Jeune filly Journey won the Belmont Oaks for David Hayes, while a short time later the Fred Kersley trained Roman Time scored a deserved big race win in the York Stakes.

The feature group race in Macau on Saturday, the Lisboa Prelude, went the way of unbeaten Fasliyev three-year-old Good Control - a galloper touted as potentially the best ever to race at Taipa

28/6/09 Unbeaten Macau sensation coulb be best ever

Good Control confirmed his status as Macau's new racetrack sensation when he scored an outstanding win in the Group Three HK$550,000 Lisboa Prelude (1200m) at Taipa on Saturday.

Unbeaten in six runs leading into the turf track feature, Good Control camped behind the leader Viva Pronto before bursting clear in the straight and strolling home to win by two lengths.

"I am very happy to train a star in Macau," a delighted winning trainer Patrick Lee said after the race.

"Today he proves that he is equally competitive on turf and now he will be aimed at the Lisboa Challenge next month."

Lee is certain his unbeaten sensation would be just as effective at the 1400 metre trip of his next feature outing.

"In fact I was a bit worried at the 1200m trip today because in my opinion he is a middle-distance horse."

"He is still a three-year-old and will have plenty of room for further improvement."

"I hope that in the future he can do Macau proud in overseas races."

Lee purchased Good Control as a yearling from the draft of Jonel Park Thoroughbreds at the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale for just $25,000.

As his record currently stands, Good Control has won all seven of his starts and earned over HK$1.6 million (over A$260,000).

So impressive was Good Control that the local English racecaller suggested he could "develop into the best we've seen at the Taipa track."

"We had Natural Blitz as well and he went on to win an International Sprint in Hong Kong," he added.

By one time Coolmore Stud shuttle sire Fasliyev, Good Control is the only named foal for the three time winning and five time Melbourne placed mare Change of Control.

A daughter of Golden Slipper winner Marauding, Change of Control is out of the Caulfield stakes winner Majestic Dawn (Scenic).

It is the family of Group One Oaks heroines Indian's Dream and Hasty Departure and today's first time Perth stakes winner Journey.

27/6/09 Scenic Blast joins Sacred Kingdom at top of world sprinting

Australia’s Royal Ascot hero SCENIC BLAST has been marked extremely highly in the latest IFHA World Thoroughbred Rankings released today. The Daniel Morton trained 5yo has joined another Australian bred sprinter in SACRED KINGDOM at the top of the World Sprinting ranks on 122 following his win in the King’s Stand Stakes.
SCENIC BLAST became the 4th Australian trained sprinter to win the King’s Stand Stakes in the last seven years and his performance was rated superior to those before him:

KING’S STAND WINNERS
2003 Choisir (AUS) 121
2004 The Tatling (IRE) 115
2005 Chineur (FR) 115
2006 Takeover Target (AUS) 119
2007 Miss Andretti (AUS) 120
2008 Equiano (FR) 116
2009 Scenic Blast (AUS) 122

Chairman of the Australian Board’s ANZ Classifications Committee, Mr Greg Carpenter, who represents Australia on the World Thoroughbred Rankings Committee, said “The rating for Scenic Blast is a tremendous result for Australian racing and reflects the dominance of his performance in the King’s Stand”.
Scenic Blast will continue his pursuit of the Global Sprint Challenge and runs next in the July Cup at Newmarket on July 10. ART CONNOISSEUR (IRE) the winner of the Golden Jubilee Stakes entered the World top 50 on 119.

WORLD TOP SPRINTERS
SACRED KINGDOM (AUS) P.F. Yiu (HK) Turf 122
SCENIC BLAST (AUS) D.L. Morton (AUS) Turf 122
ROCKET MAN (AUS) P. Shaw (SING) Turf 121
APACHE CAT (AUS) G. Eurell (AUS) Turf 119
ART CONNOISSEUR (IRE) M.W. Bell (GB) Turf 119
BIG CITY MAN (USA) J. Barton (Saudi Arabia) Dirt 119
JJ THE JET PLANE (SAF) M. De Kock (UAE) Turf 119
TAKEOVER TARGET (AUS) J. Janiak (AUS) Turf 119

26/6/09 Sensible Sam ready for Singapore 3YO Challenge

The second leg of the Singapore 3YO Challenge takes flight at Kranji tonight.

Stepping up from 1200m to 1400m, the Singapore Gr.2 feature will see six horses of the New Zealand breed full the starting stalls.

With a view to recent form, none rate higher than Sensible Sam (NZ) (Daggers Drawn) and Supreme Winner (NZ) (High Yield).

One of three chances to be prepared by Laurie Laxon, Sensible Sam (NZ) has won his last two starts, with each of these coming over the 1400m and 1600m trip.

Believing the first leg to be too sharp for the gelding, Laxon elected to bypass the opening leg of the series over 1200m.

Sensible Sam won two in NZ before his Singapore export, and since his arrival has achieved the 3 wins and 4 placings from 9 raceday attempts.

Supreme Winner (NZ) on the other hand, boasts a picket fence formline of two from two and will jump two outside Sensible Sam in stall 6.

With respect to consistency, Powerful Ruler (NZ) (Viking Ruler) and Waipapa (NZ) (Align) bring plenty to the mix.

In all of his 11 career starts, Powerful Ruler has won four and on each of his remaining starts he has filled either second or third.

Likewise, Waipapa (NZ) has the 3 wins to his names and in his 7 additional starts he has placed on 6 occasions.

New Zealand’s two remaining chances come in the form of the regally bred Stravinsky gelding Noble Manor and Super Fighter (NZ) (Strategic Image).

Noble Manor (NZ), a descendent of Sarwatch and Riverina Charm, has won 3 of his 9 Singapore starts.

Super Fighter, alternatively, has saluted the judge on two occasions and has been well performed in his remaining 5 starts, placing three times.

The final leg of the Singapore 3YO Challenge will be held on July 17 and will canvas 1600m in distance.

23/6/09 Australia joins 2009 Breeders' Cup challenge series

Manikato stakes winner at Moonee Valley to earn automatic entry into Breeders' Cup World Championship at Santa Anita Park

NEW YORK -- (June 22, 2009) — As a part of its increased global expansion, the Breeders’ Cup announced today that the Cleanevent Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Sept. 25 has been selected as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge series race, with its winner earning an automatic starting berth into the $25.5 million Breeders' Cup World Championships at the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, Nov. 6, 7.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge is an international series of 62 races, whose winners earn qualifying positions into a corresponding race at the World Championships. This year the Breeders’ Cup has increased the international Challenge races from four to 12 events, and they will be held at premier racetracks in England, Ireland, France and Hong Kong, in addition to Australia. The 2009 Breeders' Cup
Challenge races will begin in the U.S. on July 4 with qualifying events from Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey: the United Nations Stakes (gr. I) on turf, and the Salvator Mile (gr. III).
The winner of the $500,000 (AUS) Manikato Stakes (G1) at six furlongs on the turf, will gain an automatic berth into the $1 million (US) Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at 6 ½ furlongs at Santa Anita on Nov. 7, following the payment of applicable pre-entry fees on Oct. 26. Last year’s inaugural Turf Sprint was won by the 4- year-old colt Desert Code of the U.S., who defeated Diabolical of the United Arab Emirates by a halflength.
The Manikato will also receive an additional $50,000 (US) from the Breeders’ Cup in Owners Premiums to the first three finishers in the race. The Manikato is one of 11 international Breeders’ Cup Challenge races that will be enhanced with $50,000 in Owners Premiums for horses nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program.
“We are excited that the Moonee Valley Racing Club and the nation of Australia - a country whose passion and devotion for Thoroughbred racing is renowned the world over - has joined the Breeders’ Cup Challenge,” said Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli. “We are always striving to make the Breeders’ Cup more inclusive to our international horsemen and fans, and the selection of the Manikato Stakes in the series fits perfectly in our continuing efforts to maximize the global popularity and
excellence of the Breeders’ Cup.”
Michael Browell, CEO of the Mooney Valley Racing Club stated, “The Moonee Valley Racing Club is delighted to be involved in the expanding International Breeders’ Cup Challenge races and provide our premium Group One sprinting race The Manikato Stakes as the first Australian race to be linked with the Breeders Cup. The Manikato stakes to be run under lights on Friday 25th September, 2009 will showcase Australia’s best sprinters and we will look forward to hosting Singapore sprinting star Rocket Man in this premium Group One event.”
The international Breeders’ Cup Challenge began in April with the Champions Mile (G1) in Hong Kong, won by Sight Winner, who earned a starting berth into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile. The first European challenge race of 2009 will be the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) at The Curragh in Ireland on June 27 for an automatic berth in the $2 million (US) Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Among the other new international Challenge races this year are the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at
Leopardstown (Sept. 9) and the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (G1) from Newmarket, both for starting positions in the $3 million (US) Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf; the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) on Aug. 30 for a starting position in the $1 million (US) Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf; the Diamond Stakes (G3) at Dundalk on Oct. 2 for a starting position in the $500,000 (US) Breeders’ Cup Marathon and three automatic qualifiers for the $2 million (US) Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint: the Manikato Stakes, the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville (G1) on Aug. 9 and the Qatar Prix de L’Abbaye at Longchamp (G1) on Oct. 4.
The first European Breeders’ Cup Challenge races debuted at Ascot last year. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, the Meon Valley Fillies Mile (G1) for an automatic spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Juddmonte Royal Lodge (G2) for a position in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf are all back in this year’s series, and will be run on Sept. 26.
The North American racetracks participating in the series are as follows: Belmont Park in New York, Del Mar near San Diego, Calder Race Course in Miami, Arlington Park in Chicago, Emerald Downs in Seattle, Delaware Park, Monmouth Park and Philadelphia Park in the Middle Atlantic; Turfway Park and Keeneland in Kentucky; Santa Anita Park; and Woodbine in Toronto.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge, which began in 2007 with 25 races at six U.S. racetracks, was increased to 57 races at 12 tracks last year. The 2008 series for the first time included races in Canada from Woodbine and in Great Britain at Ascot Race Course. This year, the Breeders’ Cup Challenge will be brought to seven additional premier international tracks: Longchamp and Deauville in France, The
Curragh, Leopardstown and Dundalk in Ireland, Newmarket in England and Moonee Valley.
In 2008, 34 of the 57 Challenge race winners completed in the Breeders’ Cup. Five of them won races at the Championships, led by Raven’s Pass, who captured the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic and Zenyatta, who won the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic on Championship Friday. The other winners were Forever Together, Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf; Stardom Bound,
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and Maram, Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

About Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships; Thoroughbred racing’s yearend Championships consisting of 14 races and $25.5 million in purses, which makes it the richest event in sports. At last year’s Breeders’ Cup, more than $100 million in winning wagers were returned to fans at betting locations around the globe. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program. Breeders’ Cup has offices in Lexington, Ky.,
and in New York City. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site,
www.breederscup.com. You may follow the Breeders’ Cup on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BreedersCup

21/6/09 Sharks Bay devours rivals in South African feature

The barnstorming run of Magic Millions graduates in South African feature races continued overnight with Sharks Bay scoring an impressive win in the Group Two Post Merchants (1200m) at Greyville.

A son of Canny Lad, Sharks Bay sat off the speed set by Combat Leader, before coming with a brilliant finishing burst between runners to win by a half length.

The win was the fourth for the $80,000 Magic Millions Yearling Sale purchase at just his eighth career outing.

A classy three-year-old who recently ran third in the Group Two KZN Guineas at Greyville, Sharks Bay is trained by Dennis Drier and was ridden to victory in the Post Merchants by Sean Cormack.

Sharks Bay is from Pyramisa, a Marauding full sister to four time stakes winner Pembleton, who won just one race at 1600 metres.

But it is as a dam Pyramisa is really shining. Her three runners to date are all winners.

As well as Sharks Bay she is the dam of the Charles Laird trained Tristram's Fantasy - a winner over 1200 metres in South Africa.

Her other daughter Annie's River, a full sister to Sharks Bay, is a sprint race winner and placegetter in Sydney.

Two recent buyers at the Magic Millions National Sale would have been impressed by the big race win overnight.

South African based buyer John Harrison went to $35,000 to secure the Not a Single Doubt weanling half sister to Sharks Bay a couple of weeks ago.

And leading Gold Coast horseman Alan Bailey paid $41,000 for his Tale of the Cat half brother at the National Yearling Sale.

Both of those National Sale lots were sold by Attunga Stud - the same farm who sold Sharks Bay as a yearling.


Takeover Target can take TAB for a ride in Golden Jubilee
June 19, 2009

AUSTRALIAN wonder sprinter Takeover Target is set to strip TAB Sportsbet if he wins Saturday night's Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Starting at the Royal Ascot meeting for the fourth successive year, Takeover Target has not raced since failing behind Hong Kong star Sacred Kingdom in the KrisFlyer International Sprint in Singapore, but trainer Joe Janiak reports he is back to top shape.

"Half the money that has been invested on the Golden Jubilee so far has been on Takeover Target," TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said on Thursday.

"The best price he's been was $10 and he is into $7.50. And a punter had a $1000 double on Scenic Blast in the King's Stand the other night into Takeover Target at $35."

Munsie said the only other horse to attract support in the Golden Jubilee was the Mike De Kock trained J J The Jet Plane and Sacred Kingdom was "friendless, just like every other runner".

"We are bracing ourselves for Takeover Target," Munsie said. "If he is to win then it will be a much worse result than Scenic Blast's King's Stand victory, and it was a massive loser for us when it firmed from $6.50 to start at $3.25."

18/6/09 July Cup at Newmarket next for Ascot hero
by Michael Sharkie

AUSTRALIA'S latest international sprint hero, King's Stand Stakes winner Scenic Blast, will miss the second leg of the Royal Ascot sprint double, the group 1 Golden Jubilee (1200 metres) on Saturday night, to instead target another of Europe's top sprints.

West Australian trainer Dan Morton confirmed shortly after his speedster's scintillating victory early on Tuesday morning that Scenic Blast would be reserved for the group 1 July Cup (1200 metres) at Newmarket on July 10th, before possible attempts on international sprints in Hong Kong and Japan later in the year.

"He does [pull up well] but I'm not going to back up on Saturday. It was never my plan," Morton told Melbourne radio station Sport 927. "I always wanted to take in this one then hopefully go three weeks into the next one. He's a very good fresh horse."

Showing nerves during pre-race interviews at Royal Ascot, Morton admitted he was pinching himself after the group 1 King's Stand, 1000m. "I was confident a fair way out, just looking at how good he was travelling. The further they went in the race, the happier I was," he said.

Morton is confident Scenic Blast can strike a blow again at Newmarket, and believes the gelding's form at group 1 level in Australia at 1600m should stand him in good stead on Newmarket's tough, climbing, straight track, which has proved the undoing of previous Royal Ascot heroes Choisir and Takeover Target .

For winning jockey Steven Arnold, the victory on one of racing's greatest stages further justified his long and challenging battle to keep his weight under control. Arnold began his association with Scenic Blast only this year, and secured the Royal Ascot ride after wins in the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap, both group 1, during Melbourne's autumn festival of racing.

"It's an unbelievable feeling, an enormous thrill." Arnold told Sport 927. "He's got the best kick of any horse I've ridden."

17/6/09 Royal Ascot glory for Scenic Blast

Scenic Blast confirmed his status as one of the world's great sprinters with a brilliant win in this morning's Group One King's Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot.

With a sizzling turn of foot the Perth star picked up his rivals quickly in the straight and raced clear for a famous victory.

Sent out the well backed 11/4 favourite, Scenic Blast had the favourite punters and Aussies in the crowd cheering as he cruised home.

"I was happy with how everything panned out during the race," Morton said after the race.

"Steven (Arnold) knows him very well and he rode him perfectly from the barrier."

Morton said immediately after the race that Scenic Blast would not run in Saturday's Golden Jubilee Stakes and would instead be aimed at the famous July Cup.

Steven Arnold said his job was very easy - a virtual "sit and steer" task.

"It was a super effort," Arnold said. "He travelled really well and I probably got there too soon - but he was just going so well."

An $85,000 purchase for trainer Danny Morton at the 2006 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Scenic Blast is a great advertisement for Western Australia.

He was bred in WA and was sold as a yearling in Perth. He is also owned and trained in Perth.

With his prizemoney haul from the King's Stand added to his kitty, Scenic Blast's career earnings have shot to about $1.9 million. And all that from just 18 lifetime starts!

Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester was delighted with the victory."What a champion sprinter Scenic Blast - he is a shoe in for Australian Horse of the Year now," Chester said.

"He just treated some of the world's top sprinters with contempt. It was an outstanding performance."Chester said the win was a wonderful result for the Western Australian industry and in particular the annual Belmont based sale each February.

"Only those buyers who attended the Perth Yearling Sale in 2006 had a chance to purchase Scenic Blast," Chester pointed out."We've been saying it for years - the Perth Sale is a must attend sale."

"If you're serious about buying world class yearlings at value prices you have to ensure you're in Perth.""Just have a look at Danny Morton - a great Magic Millions client - he's had two Group One winners in the past month - both graduates of the Perth Yearling Sale!"

17/6/09 Danehill Dancer colt Mastercraftsman is “one of greats”

Jockey Johnny Murtagh hailed the Danehill Dancer three-year-old Mastercraftsman (2c Danehill Dancer-Starlight Dreams, by Black Tie Affair) as "right up there with the best" after a gutsy success in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was winning his fourth Group 1 race at Ascot as he fought off a persistent challenge from the English 2,000 Guineas runner-up Delegator.

"It was a great performance from both jockey and horse. He’s an amazing horse. Speed, stamina, soft ground and fast ground - they all come alike to him. It was a great performance by the horse and a marvellous performance by the jockey.

"His most impressive performance was in a Group One over six furlongs on good to firm ground in the G1 Phoenix Stakes last season and now he’s a Guineas winner and a St James’s Palace Stakes winner - an amazing horse.

"I don’t think stepping him up to a mile and a quarter will be a problem with that either. He’s just one of those great horses like Giant’s Causeway, the sort of horses that don’t mind a mile or a mile and a quarter.

"He’s a big, straightforward horse and is very uncomplicated - he just jumps out and you let him roll. He’s a great cruiser with loads of class."

Murtagh added: "It was going very well - there was a nice pace and I pulled him into the straight. I committed him early enough and he was a bit lazy when he hit the front. I knew it was going to be a battle but I was getting well on top in the final 10 strides.

"He gave 110 per cent, he’s brave, courageous and he’s like all of the great horses I ride for Ballydoyle - they never know when they are beaten, he’s just like Henrythenavigator and Duke Of Marmalade last year. He’s right up there with the best of them.

"After winning a Guineas and a St James’s Palace Stakes over a mile, he’s not short of speed and I think that he is a true champion. The way he did it today, I think that he deserves a lot of credit.

"I think he didn’t handle the hill at Newmarket and I was confident he could turn the tables from that day. A lot was made about (him winning so easily because of) the ground in Ireland but it was perfect going today and I think a good horse goes on any ground."

16/6/09 King's Stand stakes preview
Aussie Champ To Be Upstaged By Locals

The racing world shifts its attention to Royal Ascot this week for arguably the best five days of flat racing on the British calendar. With the Group One King's Stand Stakes headlining today's program, IASbet.com bookmaker Mark Read believes Australian champion sprinter Scenic Blast has his work cut for him against a superstar field.

"Unfortunately, Scenic Blast may have drawn the wrong barrier (15), with locals tipping the speed of the race to be on the opposite side of the track. Whether he can give these locals a start and a beating, emulating the likes of Miss Andretti, remains questionable. He currently looks to be trading under the odds," said Read.

Read believes that Scenic Blast's primary danger is Amour Propre, "The three-year-old flying machine is undefeated in four starts on dry tracks, and is already an impressive winner over five furlongs at Royal Ascot. The colt is drawn ideally in barrier 6 and is still untapped.

"Another chance in the race is Fleeting Spirit. The speedy mare ran a brave third last year behind Equiano and Aussie warhorse Takeover Target, and will surely be more seasoned for this year's race. Barrier One is expected to be a big advantage and it looks the main threat to both Amour Propre and Scenic Blast."

About IASbet.com - IASbet.com is an International All Sports company, founded and managed by Australia's foremost bookmaker, punter and form analyst, Mark Read. International All Sports Limited (IAS) is a publicly listed company on the Australian Stock Exchange, with turnover in excess of $1.3 billion.

16/6/09 Noel Callow suspended from riding

High riding jockey Noel Callow has been suspended from riding pending an inquiry after he returned a positive urine test.

Callow briefly hang up his boots after battling with weights but returned to race riding in style when he booted home four winners from seven rides here last week.

Callow was expected to continue his winning act this week. One of his nominated rides today, PERFECT PINS, romped home by eight lengths in the Kenilworth Cup, an international jockeys race over 1200m.

The stipe's report today stated that a report dated June 11 from the chief analyst of Veterinary Forensic Laboratory stated that 4 coded urine samples from the above-mentioned race meeting were received on June 8, for analysis under the MRA Rules and Regulations. No prohibited substances were detected except for sample coded “J-2483” which revealed the presence of “Ephedrine and Phentermine”. After decoding the sample number, it was established that this sample was reported to have been taken from Callow last Saturday at the Selangor Turf Club.

Callow was advised of the contents of this report and also advised of the contents of MRA Regulation 46.3.1 relating to the referee sample. An inquiry into this report will be held on a date to be fixed.

15/6/09 Royal Ascot carnival preview

Australian punters will have access to world-class coverage of the world’s most prestigious racing carnival, as Sky Racing presents every event of the 2009 Royal Ascot Carnival live on Australian television.
The Royal Ascot Carnival is synonymous with quality, style and excellence. With 17 Group races and no fewer than seven Group 1 contests, it’s a stage that attracts the best horses and jockeys from around the world, and over a quarter of a million race goers.
Sky Racing will broadcast all five days of the thrilling Royal Ascot Carnival live, from Tuesday June 16 to Saturday June 20, with nightly coverage commencing at 11pm EST.
The Sky Racing broadcast feed will be sourced from ‘At The Races’, the leading UK racing broadcaster, which will ensure continuity of the broadcast across all six races each day. The coverage will also include Sky Racing’s superior tipping and analysis for each
race. In NSW, Sky Sports Radio will also feature every race, every night.
In recent years, Australian racing fans have become more and more attached to racing from the UK, particularly through the feats of Australian champions Choisir, Takeover Target and wonder mare Miss Andretti, who have all triumphed in the motherland.
The Australian assault on Royal Ascot has, for good reason, attracted local and worldwide interest in recent years, and the presence of champion sprinters Takeover Target and Scenic Blast should ensure similar attention at next week’s carnival. This year, Takeover Target will fly the flag for Australia in the Golden Jubilee Stakes on June 20, while Scenic Blast will contest the King’s Stand Stakes on June 16.

2009 ROYAL ASCOT SCHEDULE ON SKY RACING
FIRST DAY - TUESDAY 16 JUNE 2009
R1 - 11.30pm The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
R2 - 12.05am The King's Stand Stakes (Group 1)
R3 - 12.45am The St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1)
R4 - 1.20am The Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
R5 - 1.55am The Ascot Stakes (Handicap)
R6 - 2.30am The Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
SECOND DAY - WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 2009
R1 - 11.30pm The Jersey Stakes (Group 3)
R2 - 12.05am The Windsor Forest Stakes (Group 2)
R3 - 12.45am The Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)
R4 - 1.20am The Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
R5 - 1.55am The Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)
R6 - 2.30am The Sandringham Stakes (Listed) Hcp
THIRD DAY - THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2009
R1 - 11.30pm The Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)
R2 - 12.05am The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2)
R3 - 12.45am The Gold Cup (Group 1)
R4 - 1.20am The Britannia Stakes (Heritage Hcp)
R5 - 1.55am The Hampton Court Stakes (Listed)
R6 - 2.30am The King George V Stakes (Heritage Hcp)
FOURTH DAY - FRIDAY 19 JUNE 2009
R1 - 11.30pm The Albany Stakes (Group 3)
R2 - 12.05am The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
R3 - 12.45am The Coronation Stakes (Group 1)
R4 - 1.20am The Wolferton Rated Stakes (Listed)
R5 - 1.55am The Queen's Vase (Group 3)
R6 - 2.30am The Buckingham Palace Stakes (Hcp)
FIFTH DAY - SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2009
R1 - 11.30pm The Chesham Stakes (Listed)
R2 - 12.05am The Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
R3 - 12.45am The Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
R4 - 1.25am The Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Hcp)
R5 - 2.00am The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Heritage Hcp)
R6 - 2.35am The Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions)

15/6/09 Joy And Fun (NZ) wins HK-3 The Premier Cup (1400m)

Hong Kong’s former Champion Griffin Joy and Fun (NZ) (Cullen) emerged triumphant after a thrilling three-way finish in the HK-3 The Premier Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Situated just off the pace by Brett Doyle, Joy And Fun (NZ) kicked in the straight to wrestle the lead off the game frontrunner Regency Dragon (NZ) (D’Cash), but with 100m to run the race looked far from conclusive with the rapid descent of One World (Danehill Dancer) and Express Win (Catbird) out wide.

At the post it would take a photo to separate the trio, with the respective margins proving to be a short head in Joy And Fun's (NZ) favour, with the same margin again respectively separating second and third.

The hard fought win was the second black-type victory for the Derek Cruz-trained galloper this year, with the 5YO gelding also enjoying success in January’s the HK-3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m).

All told the Cullen gelding has netted 9 wins (1200-1600m) and 5 placings in his 31 starts for owners Mr & Mrs Johnny Wong Chun Nam, with the HK$8,232,600 incurred here easily eclipsing his NZ$15,000 NZB 2004 Weanling Sale price.

Bred by Scott Williams, Joy and Fun (NZ) is by the now deceased sire Cullen and out of the terrific mare, Gin Player (NZ) (Defensive Play)

Unraced herself, Gin Player (NZ) has produced four winners from 6 foals to race, with additional black-type bearers coming by way of her dual Gr.1 winning daughter Zarita (NZ) (Pentire) and her Gr.2 winning Pins son, Run Like The Wind (NZ).

Gin Player (NZ) produced a Zabeel filly in 2008 and was subsequently sent to Pentire (GB).

15/6/09 Colourland Supreme (NZ) wins Malaysian Gr.1

Malaysian Gr.1 honours were felled in convincing fashion by the Al Akbar gelding Colourland Supreme (NZ) (Al Akbar) on Sunday.

At the finish of the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor over 2000m, Colourland Supreme (NZ) had a sizeable 2.5 length margin over his rivals, with Testa Key (Testa Rossa) doing the next best here in second and Kiko’s Return (NZ) (Minardi) claiming third.

In the care of Cecil Robert, Colourland Supreme (NZ) has amassed a Malaysian race record of 8 wins and 7 placings from 22 outings, with the cumulative effect of this being M$1,021,900.50 in earnings for owner, the Colourland Stable.

Prior to Sunday, the 4YO’s gelding’s greatest pay days had come in November’s Astro Wah Lai Toi Charity Cup (2000m) and with his second placed effort to Kiko’s Return (NZ) two starts back in the Listed Selangor Gold Cup (1600m).

Converted into New Zealand dollars, Colourland Supreme’s NZ$454,987 in earnings is a far cry from the NZ$10,000 he fetched at the 2006 Festival Yearling Sale, when purchased from the Grangewilliam Stud draft by LR Beckett.

Bred by Anne Corcoran, Colourland Supreme (NZ) is from the immediate family of the Gr.1 winner Econsul (NZ) (Pins).

By the now deceased sire Al Akbar, Colourland Supreme (NZ) is out of the unplaced Spectacular Love mare, The Sky Moved.

A dam of two foals to race (including a 2005 full brother to Colourland Supreme), The Sky Moved is a half-sister to Gypsy Soul (NZ) (Centaine) - the dam of Gr.1 MRC Caulfield Guineas hero Econsul (NZ) and the Listed STC Sky High Stakes winner, Kettledrum (NZ) (O‘Reilly).

Colourland Supreme’s second dam Sky Runner (Smuggler) also counts a notable half sibling – with this being none other than the Gr.1 VATC Caulfield Guineas and Gr.1 STC Canterbury Guineas winner Beechcraft (Sea Anchor).

14/6/09 Eight Street another Group winner for Laird

Eight Street continued the winning run of Magic Millions graduates for Charles Laird in South Africa when he captured the R125,000 Group Three Cup trial (1800m) at Clairwood on Saturday night.

A four-year-old gelding by Darley shuttler Street Cry, Eight Street made it back to back victories when he led home Autumn Frost and Royal Day.

The win was the fifth from 16 starts for the promising performer who'd earlier in his career won impressively at tracks including Greyville and Turffontein.

Eight Street was purchased by Laird from the draft of Southern Cross Breeders for $40,000 at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.

He is the only runner to date for the lightly raced Octagonal mare Figure of Eight - she being a daughter of the French group placed Sadler's Wells mare Papago.

Members of his family further back include international Group One winners Dancing Brave, Jolypha and Sand Springs.

His sire Street Cry is best known for his group one stars including Street Sense, Whobegotyou, Zenyatta, Street Hero, Seventh Street and Tomcito.

Other Australian based stars for the sire include Predatory Pricer, Delta Gree, Locus Standi and recent Queensland Derby runner-up Shocking.

11/6/09 NZ-breds win 6 from 8 at Happy Valley

New Zealand-bred gallopers were dominant at Happy Valley in Hong Kong last night, winning six of the eight races contested. The highlight for the kiwi industry was the performance of Sun Trooper (NZ) (Stravinsky ex Exotic Dancer, by Slavic), who won his fifth-straight race when taking out the Class 2 Cricket Club Valley Handicap over 1000 metres.

Sun Trooper (NZ) is unbeaten in Hong Kong. Sold by Cambridge Stud at the 2006 Karaka Premier Sale, Sun Trooper was purchased by Matamata trainer Gary Hennessy for $110,000 and prepared by him for a couple of trial wins before being transferred to Hong Kong.

The other NZ-bred winners last night were Par Excellence (NZ), by Minardi; Perfect Style (NZ), by Sandtrap; Master Dreamer (NZ), by Dream Well; Floral Picasso (NZ), by No Excuse Needed and Viva Fighter (NZ), by O’Reilly.

The current racing season in Hong Kong concludes on Wednesday, 01 July. It’s been an outstanding season, again, for New Zealand-bred horses there. Waikato Stud’s O’Reilly is on track to grab his second-straight Hong Kong Stallion Premiership, while fellow kiwi sires Shinko King (3rd), Faltaat (5th), Stravinsky (7th) and Towkay (8th) are also figuring prominently.

10/6/09 Dye suspended and fined

Port Louis, Mauritius: Shane Dye has been suspended for a week and fined 100,000 Mauritian rupees ($3900) over his handling of a horse which finished second in a race on Saturday. Dye rode Hold My Jacket in the Cayeux Cup won by The Cardinal, ridden by Danny Nikolic. The Mauritius Turf Club website on Tuesday said Dye had been suspended and fined for not riding the horse to the satisfaction of the stewards.

9/6/09 Perfect Pins strikes in Dewar's 12 Sprint

PERFECT PINS will most likely start as hot favourite in the grand final of the Da Ma Cai Malaysia 2009 Three-Year-Old Championship next month after his smashing victory in the RM200,000 Dewar's 12 Sprint for three-year-olds over 1200m at Sungei Besi here today.

PERFECT PINS (Pins - La Cent by Centaine) had won a heat of the Championship by four lengths in April.

Lining up against some of the Championship finalists today, PERFECT PINS, ridden by Noel Callow, was simply no match for his rivals, winning as he liked by seven lengths to make it three wins in three starts in Malaysia.

Purchased by his owners for NZ$170,000 as a yearling, PERFECT PINS was unplaced in three starts in New Zealand but has made tremendous progress in his new home.

Visiting jockey Callow was on fire today, booting home three winners to add to his solitary win yesterday.

Earlier, he was successful on JERAM DELIGHT (Iglesia - Lizbeth by Royal Academy) and MAGICAL IDOL (Danewin - Honest Draw by Veritable)

9/6/09 Laxon trains 700th winner in Singapore

Charismatic champion trainer Laurie Laxon achieved another milestone in his training career in Singapore this weekend, when he prepared the NZ-bred Dustin (NZ) to win the Class 5 Stakes over 1600m.

The win signified Laxon’s 700th training victory in Singapore since the former Cambridge-based conditioner moved to the Lion City in 2000.

Laxon has dominated the Singapore Trainers’ Premiership for the past five seasons, claiming his fifth consective title in 2008.

This milestone was yet another chapter in a remarkable career for Laxon that includes wins in major global races such as the 1988 Melbourne Cup with Empire Rose

7/6/09 Mooring stars in Singapore

Mooring confirmed his status as one of the top three-year-olds of Singapore when he easily beat a classy field in the S$250,000 Three-Year-Old Challenge 1st Leg (1200m) at Kranji on Saturday.

In the absence of the region's top galloper Rocket Man, Mooring was able to show his ability and cruise home in the first leg of the time honoured championship.

Mooring, who kicked away his career in Australia with Lee Freedman, is now trained in Singapore by his brother Michael.

He raced in Australia on just three occasions and was placed twice - including a third to Wilander at Ballarat.

In Singapore he's the winner of four of his six runs.

"He’s come a long way from the stirry horse he was at the beginning," Freedman said after the win.

"Full credit goes to (senior track rider) Kate (Gibbs) for riding him every day at trackwork and teaching him how to settle."

"I’m very pleased with the way he is settling, and depending how he pulls up, we may have a crack at the second leg (1400m on June 26)."

"I’m not sure if he can go a mile, but we’ll take it one step at a time."

Freedman praised ex-Sydney based senior rider Danny Beasley over his handling over Mooring, both in the lead up and in the feature event.

"Danny has ridden him in most of his races and barrier trials and they have established a great rapport. He gave him every opportunity in the race and produced him at the right time."

Mooring was purchased as a yearling by Slade Bloodstock for $130,000 from the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.

A year earlier Damon Gabbedy purchased his full sister Bel Mer - who this won the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville.

Other clients of Magic Millions to benefit from the win included Patinack Farm who purchased a full sister to Bel Mer and Mooring in January this year for $260,000.

Also delighted with the result was Max and Judi Clarke of Windy Hill Thoroughbreds, who purchased a half to Drop Anchor (the dam of Bel Mer and Mooring) in foal to Bel Esprit in the past few days at the National Broodmare Sale.

5/6/09 Armada (NZ) and Sight Winner (NZ) Carry NZ Hopes in Japan

Little Avondale Stud's proven Gr.1 sire Towkay (AUS) (Last Tycoon) could become the centre of international attention this Sunday, should his outstanding 8YO son Armada (NZ) (ex Dance in Time by Red Tempo) dominate the business end of the Grade One Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in Japan.
Raced in Tokyo, the Yasuda Kinen is the fourth and final leg of the Asian Mile Challenge and beyond the international Gr.1 honour it carries, is strongly supported by a purse of US$1.85million.

Armada (NZ), who is trained by John Size, travelled from Hong Kong for the Kinen last year and was a gallant second behind Vodka.
Awarded Hong Kong's Champion Miler of 2006/07, Armada's (NZ) international campaign is supported by a 2007 Gr.1 win in the Stewards' Cup (1600m) and with a Gr.2 win in the 2006 Gr.2 Cathay Pacific International Mile Trial.
In total, Armada (NZ) has won 9 of his 20 starts to date.
Proudly flanking his stablemate at the start of the Japanese Gr.1 feature will be the Faltaat gelding Sight Winner (NZ).
Sight Winner (NZ) booked his trip to Japan following a career best performance to win the HK-1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on the 26th of April.

Sight Winner (NZ) attained top honours as the 'Most Improved Horse' at Hong Kong's prestigious racing awards in 2008 and in total the NZ$60,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale graduate has achieved seven wins and six placings for his owners Mr & Mrs Tam Wing Kun, a record that has netted over HK$11,500,000.
Sight Winner (NZ) was bred by Westbury Stud in Auckland, the home of his sire Faltaat, one of the senior statesmen of the New Zealand stallion ranks.

2/6/09 Jolie's Shinju takes Patrons' Bowl
SINGAPORE, 31 May 2009


Jockey Ronnie Stewart gestures as he crosses the line on JOLIE'S SHINJU

JOLIE'S SHINJU, the only rose among the thorns, out-sprinted her male counterparts to win the S$500,000 Patrons' Bowl over 1400m at Kranji here today.

It was the second major win for a Japanese bred in Singapore, and for the trainer-jockey combination of Hideyuki Takaoka and Ronnie Stewart after their shock win with EL DORADO in the Singapore Gold Cup last November.

The second highest rated runners in the Singapore Group 1 contest for four-year-olds, JOLIE'S SHINJU (Jolie's Halo - Endearing Quality by Danzig) did not give her rivals much of a chance.

The first to break, she was headed momentarily by HOLTMAIL in the back straight and the pair had a commanding lead at the 800m. JOLIE'S SHINJU soon gained command and she went to the line to win by one and a half lengths from QUIERO BAILAR (Lode - Quebramar by Compatible).

BIG MAVERICK (O'Reilly - Ajfan by Woodman) claimed third placing after doing very good work at the finish.

The Patrons' Bowl is the first leg of the Singapore Four-Year-old series which will continue with the Derby Trial (1600m) next month and culminate with the Singapore Derby (2000m) in July.

29/5/09 Sunday spectacular – racing from eight countries on Sky

Sky Channel takes its coverage of international racing to new heights this Sunday with the broadcasting of racing from eight countries.
Sunday’s international coverage, which includes four Group 1 events from four different countries, complements Sky’s regular schedule of Australian racing.
In a boon for harness racing lovers, Sunday’s coverage will include Sweden's 2009 Elitloppet live from Solvalla, Stockholm. Sky Channel harness racing expert, Sam Nati will host Sky’s coverage of ‘the elite race’.
The rich international Group 1 event is one of the top harness races in the world and part of the European Grand Circuit. Australia's Sundons Gift is a contender this year.
The Elitloppet has a unique system in which the semi-finals and final are run on the same day. These will be covered live at:
• SemiFinal 1 (Race 5) 10:35pm EST • SemiFinal 2 (Race 6) 11:05pm EST
• Final (Race 10) 1:05am EST (Monday morning)
TAB Sportsbet will offer fixed odds markets on the Elitloppet events. Due to regulatory issues, ‘All In’ fixed odds betting in NSW will be available up to 6pm on Sunday, while in Victoria TAB Sportsbet will:
• Bet ‘All-In’ on the Grand Final, up to close time of the first semi-final
• Bet ‘Final Field’ on both semi-finals
• Re-open betting on the Grand Final for ‘Final Field’ betting after the second semi Sky’s coverage on Sunday will also showcase the following Asian Group 1 trifecta:
• Patrons’ Bowl (1400m) from Singapore
• Citi Champions and Chater Cup (2400m) from Hong Kong
• Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, 2400m) from Japan
Sunday’s nighttime schedule will be complemented by races from France, South Africa, United Kingdom and the Listowel Festival meeting from Ireland.
Tabcorp is committed to bringing the best global racing to its customers. Last year, Tabcorp offered wagering on 6542 international races from 935 meetings. Almost $400 million was bet on international racing in 2007/08 by NSW and Victorian TAB customers,
which also delivers financial benefits to the NSW and Victorian racing industries.

INTERNATIONAL RACING ON SKY CHANNEL – SUNDAY 31 MAY 2009
COUNTRY MEETING/RACE DETAILS START TIME (EST)
Hong Kong Eleven races from Sha Tin, including Citi Champions & Chater Cup (t’breds) 2.25pm
Japan One race (Tokyo Yunshun) from Tokyo (t’breds) 4.40pm
Singapore Four races from Kranji, including Patrons’ Bowl (t’breds) 6.50pm
South Africa Five races from Kenilworth (t’breds)
Four races from Turffontein (t’breds)
8.55pm
9.10pm
France Five races from Bordeaux (harness)
Six races from Chantilly (t’breds)
10.00pm
10.15pm
Sweden Semi-finals and final of Elitloppet from Solvalla (harness) 10.35pm
Utd Kingdom Four races from Bath (t’breds) 11.10pm
Ireland Four races from Listowel Festival meeting (t’breds) 11.15pm

29/5/09 Packing Winner (NZ) to defend title

Packing Winner (NZ) (Zabeel) will face some formidable foes this Sunday in his quest to defend his title in the HK.1 The Citi Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin.

Notably amongst these is Hong Kong’s champion galloper Viva Pataca.

Whilst the ledger shows in favour of Viva Pataca at 2000m, Packing Winner (NZ) holds the advantage at 2400m, with the extra distance finding ½ a length in his favour after last year’s running of The Citi Champions & Chater Cup.

Not to be overlooked in the race, however, are the chances of Thumbs Up (NZ) (Shinko King) and Win Practitioner (NZ) (O’Reilly).

Considered to be one of Hong Kong's rising stars, Thumbs Up (NZ) won the HK.1 Mercedes-Benz Classic Mile in January and since this time has added to his reputation with placings in the HK-1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and in the Gr.1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2000m).

Win Practitioner (NZ) has likewise been making his presence felt at stakes level in recent times.

The 5YO gelding chased home Packing Winner (NZ) and Viva Pataca for third in the Citi Champions & Chater Cup last year and brings to the table a last start third in the HK-3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m).

The Citi Champions and Chater Cup has proved kind to the NZ bred galloper in the past, with Super Kid (NZ) (Gaius), Vengeance of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel) and Packing Winner (NZ) all dominating its last 5 renewals.

29/5/09 Onceuponatime (NZ) kicks off Singapore 4YO series bid

The smart NZ-bred galloper Onceuponatime (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy x Scarlet Runner) will kick off his Singapore Four-Year-Old Series** bid on Sunday when he greets the starter in the SG.1 Patrons’ Bowl over 1400m.

Onceuponatime (NZ) was one of the highest rated three-year-olds in Singapore last season, winning three races including the Gr.3 Singapore Guineas over 1600m, as well as placing in five additional outings.

The talented son of Van Nistelrooy showed that he was getting back to winning form when he flashed home for third behind Rocket Man in the Gr.1* Lion City Cup over 1200m on April 24.

Injury ruled the David Hill-trained gelding out of the Singapore Gr.1 KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200m on May 17, but Hill reported to the Singapore Turf Club this week that his stable star was well on the way to full recovery.

“He’s back on track now, and we are most likely proceed to the Gr. 2 Singapore Derby Trial over 1600m on June 21 before heading onto the Gr.1 Singapore Derby over 2000m on July 12,” said Hill

In total, Onceuponatime (NZ) has won five of his 18 starts with a further nine placings contributing to prizemoney of almost S$635,000.

NZ-bred interest in the local Gr.1* feature extends to the Laurie Laxon stablemates Big Maverick (NZ) and Dylan (NZ) (Cape Cross), the promising O’Reilly gelding Dragon World (NZ), and to the four-win pair Huat Chai (NZ) (D’Cash), and Raphael (NZ) (Al Akbar).

*Singapore rated

** The Singapore Four Year Old Series comprises of the Gr.1* Patrons Bowl, the Gr.2* Singapore Derby Trial (1600m) on June 21, and the Gr.1* Singapore Derby over 2000m on July 12

29/5/09 Farson (NZ) to defend Cup title

The Postponed gelding Farson (NZ) (ex Lady Gesine by Grosvenor) will head a four-strong NZ-bred contingent as he sets out to defend his title in Sunday’s Gr.1* Macau Gold Cup (1800m) at Taipa.
Farson (NZ) blitzed his rival in the 2008 running of the Cup feature, the win completing a treble of major race wins in Macau.
In total, Farson’s (NZ) black-type win haul comprises: the Gr.1* Macau Gold Cup, the Gr.1* Macau Derby, and the Gr.3* Macau Derby Trial.
Flanking Farson (NZ) at the start of Sunday’s Gr.1* will be the three capable NZ-bred comrades:
Best Jade Horse (NZ) (Ebony Grosve) - Crossed the line for black-type honours two starts ago in the Macau Winter Trophy (1800m).
Elegance Glory (NZ) (O’Reilly) – O’Reilly’s best performer in Macau this season to date
Bingo Star (NZ) (Stravinsky) – A last start winner over 1500m on May 16.

* Macau rated

27/5/09 Kiwis well represented in three Gr1 events in Asia this weekend

Hong Kong - Champions & Chater Cup (HKG1)
Sunday at the Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong sees the running of the Champions & Chater Cup. New Zealand-bred horses have won three of the last five runnings of the prestigious 2400m contest.

Packing Winner (NZ), by Zabeel from Musical Note, by Marscay, won last year's running in the hands of Douglas Whyte in a time of 2.24.6 - the equal-best time recorded in the last dozen runnings of the race.

Vengeance of Rain (NZ), by Zabeel ex Danelagh, by Danehill, won the Cup in 2005. It was one of six wins at the elite level of competition. The 2004 winner of the Champions & Chater cup was the John Size-trained Super Kid (NZ) (Gaius ex Pompeii Pride, by Pompeii Court) who was ridden by Shane Dye

Singapore - Patrons' Bowl (SG1)
Also on Sunday is the S$500,000 Patrons' Bowl (1400m), another important international event which New Zealand-bred horses have a proud record in.

Three of the last five runnings of the Bowl have been bred in New Zealand. In 2007 it was My Royal Captain who took the honours for trainer Laurie Laxon. Another of the progeny of Zabeel, My Royal Captain is from Kiwi Magic (by Vice Regal) who is also the dam of Flitter, the Bluebird mare who won both the STC Winfield Classic-Gr.1 and the BATC Doomben 10,000-Gr.1.

Royal Captain (NZ) - not to be confused with My Royal Captain - won the Bowl in 2005. He is a son of Carolingian and Vicki Deming, by Long Row.

Laurie Laxon trained My Royal Captain; Royal Captain and also saddled up another kiwi, Dreyfuss, to land the Bowl in 2004. A half-brother to this season's Sir Tristram Fillies Classic winner, Due Diligence, Dreyfuss is by Oregon from My Amazing Grace, by Siege Perilous.

Macau - Macau Gold Cup (MAC-G1)
The Macau Gold Cup (1800m) is run this Saturday at the Taipa racetrack. This is another feature event which has had NZ dominance in recent years, with three of the last five winners carrying the NZ-suffix after their name.

Farson (NZ), a nominee for the 2009 Gold Cup, won the event last year. He's a son of Westbury Stud's Postponed from Lady Gesine, by Grosvenor. Farson has also won the Derby and Derby Trial in Macau.

The 2004 and 2005 winner of the Macau Gold Cup is Rock N Roll Kid (NZ). By Justice Prevails from Winter's Tale, by Icelandic, Rock N Roll Kid won 15 races in all.

His dam is a half-sister to Besty Coup, the 2001 South Island Filly of the Year.

24/5/09 Perth graduate stars in South African feature

Tropical Empire, a graduate of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, scored the biggest win of his classy career when he scored a runaway win in the Group Two Betting World 1900 at Greyville overnight.

In strolling home two lengths clear of his rivals under Brandon Lerena, Tropical Empire booked a berth in the South African feature, the Durban July.

He ran home a decisive winner over Cape Town (Kevin Shea), while Air Combat (Gavin Lerena) was another two lengths further back in third place.

While both minor placgetters ran well - they were no match for the classy West Australian bred and sold winner.

Now in the care of Duncan Howells, after kicking away his career with Michael Roberts, Tropical Empire was originally purchased as a yearling by senior part owner "Chips" Pennells for $17,000 at the 2004 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale at Belmont.

The Heytesbury Stud bred was selected and purchased by connections from the draft of Canardly Stud (as agent).

Two runs back the Second Empire entire raced home for a special win in the listed Michael Roberts Handicap at Scottsville.

He rounded out his preparation for the 1900 with an unlucky second placing in the Group Two Drill Hall Stakes last time out at Greyville.

All up Tropical Empire has seven wins and nine minor placings from just 27 starts and earnings of over R750,000.

Tropical Empire, by the Longchamp Grand Criterium winner Second Empire, is one of six winners to race from the Group Two placed mare Tropical Touch.

As well as Tropical Empire, Tropical Touch has thrown the twice sprint race winning Tropical Minx - now known as the dam of seven time winning and stakes placed Perth galloper Vain Raider.

Other members of the family include stakes winners Senate Lease, Pluton and Red Pluton and black type performers Light Year Lady and Manzanita.

22/5/09 Sky boosts international coverage with Irish expansion

The first of six Irish Group 1 races for 2009 will be broadcast on Sky Channel this Sunday morning (EST), with the running of the famous Irish 2000 Guineas.
The 1600m event for three-year-olds will have NSW and Victorian TAB coverage and will be run at 12.45am EST this Sunday.
The famous Irish Champion Stakes and Irish St Leger are among the Group 1s that will also be broadcast later this year.
The Irish 2000 Guineas is one of the most important races on the Irish racing and breeding calendar. Past winners include last year’s winner Henrythenavigator and Rock of Gibraltar in 2002.
This is the third year Sky Channel is providing live coverage of Irish Group 1 racing, as it continues to bring the best international events to Australian racing fans.

LIVE IRISH GROUP 1 RACING ON SKY CHANNEL IN 2009 WITH NSW AND VICTORIAN TAB COVERAGE

23 May Irish 2000 Guineas Stakes
27 June Pretty Polly Stakes
5 September Matron Stakes
Irish Champion Stakes
12 September Irish St Leger
National Stakes

19/5/09 NZB winning over Asia

On a weekend featuring Singapore's International Meeting, Karaka graduates won fifteen races across Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore.

The action began in Singapore and Macau on Saturday night where New Zealand Bloodstock-sold horses won eight of the eighteen races staged across the two venues.

In Singapore, trainer Brian Dean and jockey Saimee Jumaat took out the S$75,000 Saigon Racing Club Trophy (1200m) with the smart three-year-old Powerful Ruler (Viking Ruler - Capsimation, by Kaapstad) who scored by a length, two and a half months after running third to fellow NZB graduate Revolte at his last start in the Group 3 Singapore Guineas.

Now the winner of four races from ten starts, Powerful Ruler has never been unplaced, and has accrued S$351,000 for his owners No Limit Stable. Powerful Ruler was purchased from Phoenix Park at the 2007 Karaka Select Sale for $52,000 by Dean Wiles who bought 40 yearlings at Karaka 2009.

Five other winners at Singapore on Saturday night complemented two in Macau, including Easy Choice (Howbaddouwantit - Diamond Dust, by Jetball) who took out his third career victory in the The Precipitation Stakes (1500m).

Easy Choice's his first victory came just three months after the November's 2008 Ready to Run Sale, where he was secured by Willie Leung just six months ago for $90,000 from the draft of Curraghmore Stud. He is trained by leading Macau trainer Stephen Chow who is a regular visitor to New Zealand.

With no racing in Malaysia over the weekend, the focus turned to Sunday racing at Kranji in Singapore and Hong Kong action at Sha Tin.

Race 1 at Kranji saw the first Karaka victor, and 3YO Langstraat (O'Reilly - Salimah, by Kinjite) unleashed something very special for trainer Stephen Gray. His victory over 1200m, after a midfield finish looked likely just 400m out from the post, left onlookers stunned by his acceleration and had Champion Singapore jockey Saimee Jumaat comparing him to 2008 Champion 3YO Sprinter Big Maverick (O'Reilly), both of whom were sold through Karaka.

Langstraat was sold by Waikato Stud at the 2007 Karaka Select Sale for $70,000. Now raced by Meltdown Stable he has recorded one start for one win and looks set for a very bright future.

New Zealand Bloodstock graduates continued their good form at Sha Tin winning five races of the eleven race card including the feature HK$1,150,000 Austin Handicap (1600m). The race was one of three won by former Kiwi trainer Paul O'Sullivan on the night, with Legend of Colour (Kaapstad - Nuance, by Star Way) scoring by three quarters of a length in the hands of Zac Purton.

Formerly known as Avancer in New Zealand where he won three races for Stephen McKee and competed in the Group 1 NZ Derby, Legend of Colour has now won two races in Hong Kong this season where he competed in the Group 1 Mercedes Hong Kong Derby after running third in the H-K2 Mercedes Derby Trial. Both his wins have been at Sha Tin over 1600m.

New Zealand Bloodstock Asia which will be based in Singapore will open its doors in June. For more information contact Mike Kneebone (mike.kneebone@nzb.co.nz).

See below for other victorious Karaka graduates across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau over the weekend.

Horse Breeding Race Trainer Vendor Sale, Price Purchaser
Redbreb Viscount x Red October The Prince Taj (1200m) Peter Leyshan Bloomsbury Stud K1, 75000 David Ellis
Crown Horse Kashani x Art Lover Macau Jockey Club (1400m) Bruce Marsh Poplar Lodge K2, psd Not Applicable
Demhillsofgold Golan x Sierra Dane Perak Turf Club (1800m) Bruce Marsh Windsor Park K1, 50,000 Dominic Li
Sure Limit Keeper x Quest for Speed Pan Malaysian Pools (1400m) Brian Dean Seaton Park K3, 16,000 Dean Wiles
Rainbow Empire Spartacus x Mission Star Melbourne Racing Club (1800) Douglas Dragon The Oaks K2, 32,500 Patella B'stk
Good Feel Hunza Court x Gleaming Day Class 4 (1200m) Laurie Laxon Woodsyates NWB, 3,500 Hiwi Lodge
Given Vision Belong To Me x Aurum Valley Selangor Turf Club (1600m) Stephen Gray Esker Lodge K2, 10,000 NZB as agent
Master Tower Faltaat x Breezette Pilkem Hcp (1650m) Peter Ho Blandford Lodge K2, 22,500 John Wheeler
Mutual Friendship Bertolini x Kincaple Lass Gascoigne Hcp (1200m) Michael Chang Rich Hill K2, psd Not Applicable
Aashiq Viking Ruler x Join the Fun Hillwood Hcp (1400m) Paul O'Sullivan Brighthill Farm Carnival, 40,000 Lance O'Sullivan
Wine Win Stravinsky x Tycoon's Gold Kowloon Cricket Club Centenary Cup (1000m) Almond Lee Lyndhurst Farm K1, 180,000 Graeme Sanders

18/5/09 Sacred Kingdom rolls Rocket Man in KrisFlyer
by Michael Lee/Craig Brennan

Former two-time World’s Turf Sprinter Sacred Kingdom showed he deserved to be right back on top of the pecking order after he scored a gutsy win in the $1 million Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) on Sunday, but in the process breaking the hearts of Singapore racegoers.

The Ricky Yiu-trained Hong Kong sprinter with top Australian jockey Brett Prebble riding for dear life inside the last 250m, collared local pin-up horse Rocket Man (Robbie Fradd) 100m out to score by a neck and smash the 1200m record (Short Course) which was previously held by Rocket Man by 0.8 second (1min 07.8secs).

After jumping from the inside alley, Sacred Kingdom ($28) was settled in fifth behind the blistering pace set by South African speedster Mythical Flight (Kevin Shea). Upon straightening, he popped off the fence to set sail after Rocket Man, who had by then pinched a couple of lengths at the 400m.

The Kranji roar was reaching a crescendo as the partisan crowd willed their champion forward with every post, but it was soon evident that the Hong Kong challenger was finishing a touch better as he drew level to eventually put his neck in front where it mattered. Godolphin's Diabolical (Frankie Dettori) ran third 3 1/2 lengths away.

After overcoming a hairline sesamoid fracture that saw him miss the Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint last December, the Encosta De Lago five-year-old restored some pride when he emerged from the pack to narrowly take out the Group 2 Sprint Cup, his last race before embarking on his Singapore assault, on May 1.

Sacred Kingdom (Brett Prebble) is home in the KrisFlyer International Sprint as he gets a neck ahead of a valiant Rocket Man (Robbie Fradd).

Even then, the jury was out as to whether the win was good enough to upstage the formidable rivalling pair of Rocket Man and Takeover Target, last year’s KrisFlyer winner and Australian ageless wonder.

But Yiu never had any doubt his ward would be up to the task, especially after he got back to his best after four lead-up runs and watching him reach his peak during his one-week stay at Kranji.

“After his last win in Hong Kong I thought I had him back,” said Yiu. “He was taking time to hit his form but he was back to his old self last time.

“He travelled over here so well and was so relaxed. I was always confident of him running very well.”

Yiu was full of confidence throughout the race but thought he had the race won when Sacred Kingdom moved up to the local galloper Rocket Man with 300m to run.

“I was confident I had Rocket Man covered with 200m to run,” said Yiu. “My horse had the longer stride and is a year older than Rocket Man and just has that little more strength.”

“What a fantastic result. He’s always been my baby and to come away here on his first trip is truly fantastic.”

A former jockey in Hong Kong, Yiu said he would discuss with the owners about making a possible trip to England with Sacred Kingdom to contest next month’s meeting at Royal Ascot.

“There is a possibility he could go to England for Royal Ascot,” said Yiu. “It’s not high on my list of priorities at this stage but it’s something I will discuss with the owners.”

Prebble said despite the narrow margin he always thought there was a lot left in the tank of Sacred Kingdom.

“He was there waiting for Rocket Man,” said Prebble. “I had a lot left in the tank as this horse is very lazy and only has to do what he has to.

“If Rocket Man had raised another effort, then there is no doubt he would have fought back.

“It’s a special win to have John and Anne Meagher and the boys here. They are like family to me and it’s been a great association.”

Prebble said he was confident of success before the field had made their way to the home turn.

“He can be a hard-pulling horse, but he was nice and relaxed and breathing well and when I asked him to go he really stretched out well,” said Prebble. “I had a lapful of horse when we turned for home.”

Prebble was full of admiration for the runner-up and admitted to being a bit scared of Rocket Man should the pair meet again.

That is likely to happen at the end of the year as Rocket Man has already been officially invited to contest the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m at Sha Tin in December.

“He’s only a three-year-old and if we happen to met in Hong Kong later in the year I will be very scared of him,” said Prebble. “He’s going to be a year older and will be that much stronger.

“He looks a very good horse in the making and I know how good my bloke is.”

After coming agonisingly close to doing Singapore proud, a tsunami-like wave of pride could still be felt flowing through the home crowd even in the aftermath of Rocket Man’s close brush with history.

Trainer Patrick Shaw could not have been prouder of the Viscount three-year-old’s courage, and has actually already mapped out an ambitious overseas trip that could pave the way to a world tour for the new Singapore idol.

“He fought like a lion out there but the barrier killed him. He was beaten by a world champion and he’s now shown that he can definitely measure up to world-class sprinters,” said Shaw, who despite the disappointment of not winning, was still wearing a beaming smile that spoke volumes about his feelings for a horse he has already called as the best sprinter he has ever trained.

“He was a winner everywhere but the winning post. It would have been nice to win, but to me, that second place was as good as a win,” said Shaw.

“We’re going to Hong Kong now!”

Shaw needed not have asked for the red carpet to be rolled out. The Hong Kong Jockey Club officials on hand to see his phenomenal run had already dropped the invite in the box.

The mood was understandably not as joyous in the Takeover Target camp, but Joe Janiak said he was still pressing on with a fourth go at Royal Ascot despite the Australian champion running below expectations.

“They went too quick for him and he just couldn’t keep up with him. If he pulls up well, he’ll still carry on with England,” said Janiak after he spoke with jockey Jay Ford.

Ford said he was never happy in the run aboard the grand old campaigner who finished in eighth position.

“They’ve run brilliant time and he just couldn’t carry it on,” said Ford. “There was good speed early on and we had the one-one sit, but he was never really travelling.

“In the straight he didn’t show his customary fight. It will be interesting to see how he is when he cools down.

“On face value it would seem to be a sub-par run.”

Sacred Kingdom is a five-year-old gelding by Encosta De Lago out of the Zeditave mare Courtroom Sweetie and is owned by Mr Sin Kang Yuk and has brought his earnings close to a staggering S$4.76 million.

18/5/09 Rachel shows up top colts
by Liz Clarke
The Washington Post

BALTIMORE: Her previous owner refused to enter her in the Preakness Stakes, believing it was unseemly to race a filly against a field of muscular colts.

Then, last week, after her new owners ponied up the $US100,000 ($133,490) fee to get Rachel Alexandra an 11th-hour berth in the second leg of the Triple Crown, a cabal of rival owners tried blocking her entry — loath to find out what the super filly might achieve if admitted to their thoroughbred boy's club.

But on Saturday, Rachel Alexandra showed them.

After a slight stumble at the start, the three-year-old with the white blaze quickly composed herself at Pimlico Race Course and thundered on to become just the fifth filly to win the Preakness, and the first in 85 years.

Only Mine That Bird, the come-from-behind 50-1 upstart who won the Kentucky Derby, proved remotely her equal. For the second time in as many races, the diminutive gelding mounted a breathtaking charge down the final stretch to close within a length.

But the outcome was never in doubt to Calvin Borel, the jockey who made history by passing on the opportunity to follow up his Kentucky Derby victory atop Mine That Bird in the Preakness.

Borel insisted on riding Rachel Alexandra, which had won his heart long ago. They had won five consecutive races together against the country's top females - including her 20-length rout in the Kentucky Oaks on the eve of the Derby.

Together, they delivered a triumph, covering the 1900 metres in one minute, 55.08 seconds to claim the $US660,000 ($881,000) prize and hoist the coveted Woodlawn Vase.

"She's the best horse in the country, bar none," Borel said after thanking the horse's owners and trainers, officials, his parents and nearly everyone he'd ever met.Mine That Bird finished second, steered ably by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, followed by Musket Man, which also finished third in the Derby.

Entering Saturday's race, Rachel Alexandra had won her previous five races by a combined 43½ lengths, crushing every competitor she faced. But in the 13-horse field at Pimlico, she had to battle hard. Borel felt her struggling underneath him, and for the first time in their joyful association, he had to yank on her bit to get it. The horse's response, straining and stretching to keep her rivals behind her - first Big Drama and then Mine That Bird - made her triumph even more impressive.

While some saw it as a victory for every girl who ever wanted to play a sport and was told she couldn't, her jubilant owner, Jess Jackson, dismissed gender as a factor in determining a horse's potential for greatness.

"Gender doesn't matter," Jackson said. "A thoroughbred wants to run! If a filly is as good as the colts, she ought to compete. That was my position, and that's why we came."Asked whether he planned to enter Rachel Alexandra in the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of racing's Triple Crown, on June 6, Jackson said he would look to the horse for the answer.

"The horse always tells you whether they're ready," Jackson said.

"We'll wait for three or four days and see how she comes out of the race."

15/5/09 Kiwi contingent not to be forgotten in SG.1 KrisFlyer International Sprint

With the SG.1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) being hailed as a two-horse race between Takeover Target and Rocket Man, the New Zealand-bred chances Waikato (NZ), Beau Brummell (NZ) and Onceuponatime (NZ) will be out to upset the applecart on Sunday.

Considered the forgotten local hope, Waikato (NZ) was dubbed the 'Singapore Sprint sensation' last year after registering success in the Sg.3 Singapore 4YO Sprint (1200m) and the Sg.3 Singapore Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m).

Trained by Laurie Laxon, the 5YO Pins gelding provided more than a competitive presence in the race last year, finishing 1.9 lengths behind Takeover Target in 4th.

Awarded the Champion Older Sprinter in Singapore in 2008, Waikato (NZ) is a winner of 12 starts from 1200-1400m and will make his way from barrier 13.

“It’s not that bad. We’ll ride him back anyway, take it easy and hope he can run on,” said Laxon of the draw.

Laxon’s fellow Singapore-based trainer David Hill saddles both of New Zealand’s remaining chances.

Throwing his cap into the ring with a last start win in the Listed Merlion Trophy (1200m), Beau Brummell (NZ) (My Halo) boasts 6 wins from 1100-1200m.

Deliberately presented in the fresh state, Beau Brummell (NZ) has not been seen in the past two months but signalled to being on song recently with a near on 7 length trial win.

Jumping two inside Beau Brummell (NZ) in stall 8 will be stablemate Onceuponatime (NZ).

Onceuponatime (NZ) was the Champion 2YO and 3YO Miler & Stayer in Singapore in 2007 & 2008 and could be a live threat if improvement has been taken from his last start third in the Lion City Cup.

New Zealand Trackside coverage of Singapore’s KrisFlyer International raceday meeting will begin at 7:30pm on Sunday.

11/5/09 Kiwi sprinters take out feature races at Singapore

Gifted sprinters Break Free and Mamma's Love took out the feature races on Singapore's Friday night race card, a week before the Turf Club's International Meeting to be staged on May 17.

The duo was amongst a total of five winning Kiwi-breds on Singapore's nine-race card, and both were successful over 1000m. The S$75,000 Kranji Stakes carried the richest purse and Laurie Laxon combined with Robbie Fradd to win the race with Karaka Select Yearling Sale graduate Break Free (Fasliyev - Tehama, by Centaine).

The three year old son of Fasliyev won the race by three and a half lengths in a time of 59.90, 0.30 seconds off his time of 59.60 when scoring over the same course and distance just a week earlier. Now the winner of five, the last three on the polytrack, Break Free has the exceptional ability of sitting handy to the pace and quickening off it in fine style, often leaving his opposition in his wake with his average winning distance being one and a quarter lengths.

Bred and sold by Pencarrow Stud to Bruce Wallace for $27,500, Break Free has now amassed S$222,452 (approx NZ$255,000) in prizemoney for owner Perfectum Stable.

Similarly priced Mamma's Love (Occidental Tourist - Aim to Please, by Famous Star), a $20,000 2007 South Island Sale graduate, took her earnings to S$75,903 (approx NZ$ 87,000) when she too scored back to back victories on Singapore's polytrack.

Trained by Michael Clements and ridden by Barend Vorster, the lightly raced three year old filly raced much in the same style as Break Free, sitting close to the speed and accelerating at the top of the straight to score by one and a quarter lengths in a time of 1.00.10.

K Stable's filly was purchased by Esker Lodge's Tom Murtagh from the South Island draft of Kingsdown Racing Stables, and she is a half sister to Six Aces (Felix the Cat), a winner of thirteen races including the Listed Macau Summer Trophy.

NZB recently announced the establishment of New Zealand Bloodstock Asia which will be based in Singapore and headed by the highly respected Michael Kneebone. The office will be well-situated to serve the company's Asian-based clients

11/5/09 McMahon breaks the duck on Trigger Success

Young Australian jockey Ric McMahon returned from a three-day suspension with a vengeance at Kranji tonight.

Success have eluded the former Brisbane champion apprentice since he began a six-month stint in Singapore from April 1. It hadn't help that he copped a suspension for careless riding for his handling of TRIGGER SUCCESS on April 10.

However, McMahon's partnership with TRIGGER SUCCESS (Mossman - Cosmic Quest by Brave Warrior) brought better fortunes for the young lad when they coasted to an easy victory.

"It’s great to get the monkey off my back. The suspension was just one of those setbacks you have to take in your stride. If anything, it has made me work doubly hard to get that first win out of the way," McMahon said after the race.

11/5/09 Jamie Stier to move on from Hong Kong stewards

Jamie Stier's 11-year tenure with the Hong Kong Jockey Club is set to end. The 45-year-old Australian, who has been a chief steward with the HKJC for the past 6½ years, stunned the locals on Saturday when announcing he was leaving on July 1.

"It has been a wonderful experience," Stier told the Herald yesterday.

"Certain aspects of the job are different to how stewards operate in Australia, which has been at times challenging but most enjoyable and fulfilling."

Asked about the future and prospects of returning to an Australian stewards panel, where he started under Australian Jockey Club rule, Stier replied, "Who knows what the future holds?"

Fellow Australian Kim Kelly is the No.2 steward in Hong Kong.

Australian jockey Dwayne Dunn has been granted permission to ride in Hong Kong on Sunday. Hong Kong-based Australian James Winks will ride the Danny O'Brien-trained Douro Valley in Saturday's Doomben Cup in Brisbane.

4/5/09 Asian Racing Federation elects new chairman

The Secretary General of the Asian Racing Federation, Andrew Harding, advises that the Federation’s Executive Council has elected a new Chairman, Dr Koji Sato, following the resignation of Mr Winfried Engelbrecht -Bresges.

“Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges confirmed to the Executive Council on Monday that he wished to leave the post of Chairman of the Federation. He acknowledged the representations that his fellow Executive Council members had made attempting to persuade him to remain as Chairman, but he explained why this was not possible at the present time. He agreed to continue to serve as one of the Exco members. The Executive Council unanimously elected Dr Sato as the ARF Chairman.”
Andrew Harding, Secretary General

The Asian Racing Federation also announced its unanimous support for Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges to continue as its representative on the Executive Council of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities.

“The Executive Council’s members are extremely pleased that Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges has agreed to continue as an ARF nominee to the Executive Council of the International Federation and has committed its full support to him in his capacity as Vice-Chairman of the IFHA. The Executive Council considers that his continued participation at this global level is essential not only to interests of ARF’s members but also to the future success of IFHA itself.” Andrew Harding

The new Chairman of the ARF Dr Koji Sato thanked his colleagues for their confidence in electing him, and acknowledged the singular contribution of his predecessor.

“Racing and breeding in the ARF region have grown significantly in recent decades and are regarded with high esteem in the global racing community today. Likewise, the role of the Asian Racing Federation has become vital in representing our members in the international community and in promoting racing both domestically and internationally.

I am honored to be asked to chair the Federation, but additionally, I am especially thankful for the strong leadership and guidance extended by Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges for us to stand where we are. The baton that has been handed to me will be carried with the full support of the Japan Racing Association and we are committed to driving the Federation along the same path and into a stronger future.”
Dr Koji Sato, Presidential Counselor for Foreign Affairs, Japan Racing Association

The Executive Council has elected Mr Bob Bentley (Australia) and Mr Guy Sargent (New Zealand) as the ARF’s two Vice- Chairmen.

As a consequence of the above decisions Dr Sato, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges and Mr Bentley will take the 3 permanent seats allocated to Asia on the IFHA Executive Council.

3/5/09 Sacred Kingdom back in winning form

Champion sprinter Sacred Kingdom (5g Encosta de Lago x Coutroom Sweetie, by Zeditave) made a return to the winner’s circle at Sha Tin on Friday with a thrilling last stride victory in the Sprint Cup HK Gr 2 over 1200 metres.

Allowed to settle off the pace midfield by Brett Prebble, Sacred Kingdom let loose with a brilliant dash when he saw daylight and after drawing alongside the leader Regency Horse knuckled down for a ding dong battle in the run to the line.

A nose separated the pair at the post, the 1200 metres covered in a slick 1:08.48.

It was exactly one year ago to the day since Sacred Kingdom’s last win, the son of Encosta de Lago sidelined through injury and off the scene for 39 weeks.

Prepared throughout his career by Ricky Yiu, Sacred Kingdom took his overall record to 11 wins and three placings from 17 starts with earnings in excess of $HK21 million.

A $200,000 purchase from the draft of Kornong Stud Farm at the 2005 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Sacred Kingdom is a half-brother to stakes-placed Opter being from the Zeditave mare Courtroom Sweetie, a full sister to Group Two winner Love of Mary.

27/4/09 South African goup success continues for Premier graduates

The success of Inglis graduates on the international stage continued in South Africa on Sunday when Premier graduate Royal Chalon took out the G3 Winter Guineas at Kenilworth.

ROYAL CHALON ($170,000 2007 Premier, 3g Royal Academy-Chalonne) is now the winner of three races in eight outings after this 1600m success.

South African trainer Dean Kannemeyer shopped very well at the 2007 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, with both of the colts he secured now Guineas winners.

Not only does he train Royal Chalon, but he also prepared Anabaa three-year-old Le Drakkar to win the G1 Cape Guineas earlier this season.

Le Drakkar was a $155,000 Premier purchase - like Royal Chalon - under the banner of Form Bloodstock, who secured nine yearlings at the 2007 Melbourne sale.

"The Form Bloodstock purchases went to a number of different trainers, with Dean picking up the two Guineas winning colts," Inglis Bloodstock Director Jonathan D'Arcy said. "It's not a bad strike rate is it!"

Royal Chalon was offered for sale by Rubiton Bloodstock and he is a half-brother to G2 VRC Sires winner Incumbent from the immediate family of Brian Mayfield-Smith's former multiple Group winning filly Innovation Girl.

A Stravinsky half-sister to Royal Chalon was sold at this year's Premier Sale for $85,000.

The Group 3 victory continues an excellent season for Inglis graduates on the International stage.

Inspiration, a $420,000 Easter graduate, continued Inglis' winning run in the G1 Hong Kong International Sprint when beating a crack field last December. The son of Flying Spur followed that with victory in the HK G1 Centenary Sprint Cup in February.

In New Zealand, $40,000 Classic graduate Tell A Tale took out the G1 NZ Two Thousand Guineas, while The Heckler, a $26,000 Inglis weanling, won the G1 Ford Sires Produce Stakes, which followed his win in the rich Karaka Million.

On the domestic front, Inglis is again the dominant force in Group 1 races this season.

The 2008-09 tally grew to 21 on Saturday, following the wins by Pompeii Ruler and Onemorenomore in the Queen Elizabeth and Champagne Stakes.

27/4/09 Kiwis claim HK Champions Mile

New Zealand Bloodstock and Kiwi vendors had plenty to be proud of at Sha Tin last night with horses sold through Karaka winning half of the elite ten-race card, including the Group 1 Champions Mile with Sight Winner.

Sight Winner returns victorious with Brett Prebble. photo: HKJC

Sight Winner (Faltaat - Kinjinette, by Kinjite), ridden by Brett Prebble for the very first time in the Group 1 feature, tracked the free-going Karaka graduate Egyptian Ra (Woodborough - Egyptian Queen, by Karioi Lad) before Prebble brought Sight Winner to attack at the top of the lengthy Sha Tin straight.

In the absence of challenges to the Kiwi pair from the likes of Good Ba Ba and Collection, John Size's Sight Winner and a mighty Egyptian Ra fought all the way down to the wire, Sight Winner finally getting his nose down on the line to score by a short-head in a time of 1.34.97.

The win was Sight Winner's seventh from twenty-two starts, his first at Group 1 level, with the NZ $60,000 yearling purchase now accruing over HK$12,000,000.

Sight Winner was bred and sold by Westbury Stud at the 2005 Karaka Premier Sale where he was purchased by Queensland-based bloodstock agent John Foote.

Faltaat is represented by three weanlings, one mare, and as a covering sire at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale on May 4, 5, and 6.

The son of Faltaat who had previously placed in the HK-2 Cathay Pacific International Mile Trial is the second NZB graduate to win the race in the past three years, with Karaka Ready to Run Sale graduate Able One (Cape Cross - Gardenia, by Danehill) winning the 2007 event.

Both Sight Winner and Able One have relatives in Karaka's May Sale.

Lot 119 - Weanling Filly - No Excuse Needed x Perennial Delight (Danasinga) - Brighthill Farm

· This well grown bay filly by Daffodil's sire No Excuse Need is out of Danasinga mare, Perennial Delight, daughter of Shorty's Pride and a half-sister to the dam of Sight Winner.

· At Lot 448 Perennial Delight is sold in foal to Perfectly Ready (More Than Ready), an Australian Group winner as a 2YO, 3YO, and 4YO including the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap. LSD 13-09-2008. Perennial Delight, by the same sire as Metal Bender, is a full sister to stakes winner Danamania.

Lot 701 - Trialled 3YO - Bay Gelding - Stravinsky x Gardenia (Danehill) - Otaki Stables

· A half-brother to Able One by Stravinsky, who left three winners in Hong Kong on Wednesday, this gelding is sure to attract plenty of interest.

New Zealand Bloodstock graduates won a further four races at Sha Tin last night.

Horse Breeding Race Price, Sale Vendor Buyer
Cash Money Towkay - Also Lady Royal Oak Hcp (1400m) 30,000, RTR Delahunty Farm NZB as agent
Moonglow Colombia - Kings Bride Edward Piguet Hcp (1400m) 10,000, K3 Paramount Lodge Rogerson Bloodstock
Glenealy Elite Tale of the Cat - Proud Run Lady Jules Audemars Hcp (1200m) 90,000, K1 The Oaks J & I B'stock
Sunrise Shinko King - Amy Zing Millenary Hcp (1400m) 52,500, K2 Chesterfields Graham Richardson

Moonglow is represented by a weanling full brother who will be sold at Karaka next Monday by Esker Lodge at Lot 52.

27/4/09 Niconero falls short in HK mission
by Craig Young

AUSTRALIAN CUP winner Niconero was no match for the international raiders in Hong Kong yesterday but Australian jockey Brett Prebble tasted group 1 glory.

The Victorian, considered the No.2 rider in Hong Kong behind the "Durban Demon" Douglas Whyte, won the Champions Mile on outsider Sight Winner.

Champion Australian jockey Darren Beadman's mount, Collection - rated the new Hong Kong thoroughbred superstar - finished fifth behind Sight Winner after going into the $HK2 million ($357,500) race as a last-start winner of the local derby. Last-start Rosehill winner Dao Dao, prepared by John Hawkes along with sons Michael and Wayne, finished third.

Beadman returned some 40 minutes later on another Hong Kong hero, Viva Pataca, which is trained by Australian John Moore, but it was gunned down by British galloper Presvis in the QEII Cup. Presvis charged up along the inside just when Viva Pataca looked the winner.

Presvis is trained by Luca Cumani, no stranger to Australian racing, having prepared Purple Moon and Bauer to finish second in the past two Melbourne Cups.

Niconero, which is prepared by two time Hong Kong premiership-winning Australian David Hayes, beat two runners home in the QEII. The veteran galloper was ridden by Craig Williams, who won his first Sydney Cup on Saturday when scoring on the Colin Little-trained Ista Kareem.

26/4/09 Rocket Man hot for Krisflyer after group one win

Rocket Man showed he was on track for the Krisflyer International when extending his unbeaten run in the Group One S$500,000 Lion City Cup (1200m) at Kranji on Friday night.

In the tenth running of the local Group One feature Rocket Man confirmed his place as Singapore's best horse and despite being eased down near the line he still bolted in and ran exceptional time.

Locals were left standing and applauding again. No Singapore horse can beat Rocket Man. The big question now - is there a horse from overseas who can challenge the Australian bred son of Viscount.

A $60,000 purchase by Andy Williams' World Wide Bloodstock outfit at the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Rocket Man delighted his trainer Patrick Shaw with his romping victory.

"It was very good," a beaming Shaw said. "What can I say, he's a true champion. He's proved it tonight."

"We jumped out and Waikato took us on, there were no excuses. They both turned the corner together and the best horse won."

"It was good being (his first run at) weight-for-age. He did it well and beat two great horses in Waikato and Capablanca - he made them look pretty ordinary."

Shaw said he was particularly looking forward to clashing with some of the world's great sprinters, including Aussie star Takeover Target, in the Krisflyer International.

"Obviously I saw that horse (Takeover Target) win last week in Australia. He's a great horse. To win nine Grade Ones you have to respect them."

"He's got to come to Singapore and I really am looking forward to the challenge," Shaw summed up.

The win was particularly special for connections with his owner Alfredo Crabbia being at the track on a hit-run mission to cheer home his star.

"I'm really so excited about this. It is the best horse I've ever owned."

"I need to thank Patrick and all of the boys, the whole team and to Robbie for riding the horse."

"I don't know what to say. I'm just so excited about it all."

"I'm leaving tonight but I will be back for the Krisflyer in three weeks time," Crabbia added.

Winning rider Robbie Fradd has no doubts about the ability of Rocket Man. Early on he told connections they had a rising star.

And he sent out a warning to his potential international rivals planning to run in the Krisflyer by declaring Rocket Man still had more to give.

"He's doing barrier trials at the moment," Fradd said cheekily. "He's a good horse and he did it nicely."

"Once I picked him up and squeezed him a bit he kicked away. He's got a great turn of foot."

"I'm excited about the Krisflyer. This is a special horse and I'd like to take on the other horse and see how he goes."

Rocket Man is turning into a great money spinner for his owner Alfredo Crabbia. He's now earned over S$737,000 (A$690,000) from just seven starts. And Crabbia also pocketed a further S$50,000 bonus for winning two legs of a rich series run in Singapore.

The Singapore star is one of six winners from six runners from the stakes winning McGinty mare Macrosa.

As well as Rocket Man, Macrosa is the dam of the South African Group One winner Our Giant - a member of the Charles Laird stable who's won 11 races and over R2.5 million.

It's a timely reminder to thoroughbred investors around the globe of the quality yearlings on offer at the Magic Millions National Sale - which this year will be held in June.

The catalogue has just been finalised and is on its way to the printers. It will be available for viewing online soon - stay tuned!

24/4/09 Niconero tackles QEII Cup in Hong Kong

Grand galloper Niconero will continue his international campaign in Sunday’s Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in Hong Kong.
Already a triple Group 1 winner this season, Niconero will clash with local champion Viva Pataca in his first run since finishing a strong fourth in last month’s Group 1 Dubai Duty Free (1777m) at the World Cup meeting.
Australia’s other representative in Hong Kong is the John Hawkes-trained Dao Dao.
A last start winner of the Listed Royal Parma Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill, Dao Dao will clash with Hong Kong’s latest superstar Collection and the world’s best miler Good Ba Ba, in the Group 1 Champions Mile.
The Champions Mile will be run at 5.55pm EST while the QEII Cup is due to start at 6.35pm. Both races will be covered live on TVN and Sky Channel.

22/4/09 Marchinski sold to Hong Kong

Talented Magic Albert three year-old Marchinski has been sold to Hong Kong in a lucrative deal which connections found impossible to refuse.

“It was unexpected but the money was just too good and we had to sell,” said the gelding’s trainer Tracey Bartley, who also bred the horse.

“You hate to see them go but by the same token when the big money is around us little country trainers can’t afford to say no.”

The lightly-raced sprinter won the Group Three AJC Frederick Clissold Stakes against the older horses at Randwick over 1200 metres before finishing an unlucky fifth in the Group Two STC Hobartville Stakes behind Mic Mac and Caymans.

“If he didn’t get softened up mid-race in the Hobartville he’d have won the [race],” Bartley said.

“They were on the case after the Clissold and I was sticking to what I wanted and they came back after the Hobartville and said he’s a serious horse and came up with what we wanted.”

Marchinski departs Australia with the overall record of three wins and three placings from nine starts with earnings of $142,750 and is one of 11 stakes horses by Yarraman Park’s consistent sire Magic Albert.

Marchinski’s dam Elishir has been a regular visitor to Magic Albert and has a yearling filly and weanling colt to hopefully emulate the success of their famous sibling.

20/4/09 Restored (NZ) wins SG. 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (WFA, 2000m)

The 4YO Red Ransom galloper Restored (NZ) unveiled his class as a stayer in the Gr.2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (WFA, 2000m) in Singapore yesterday.

A debut winner in New Zealand, Restored (NZ) joined the Singapore yard of Dr Yeoh Kheng Chye in 2008, with subsequent results yielding a 1600m Novice Hcp win and a victory in the MRA Cup over 1800m.

Tracking the leader Ricoco throughout on Sunday, Restored (NZ) looked to have his work cut out for him when the pacemaker skipped away in the straight, but under the strong urgings of John Powell, the ears went back and the negative margin was usurped at the line by a neck.

The outcome franked Powell’s positive estimation of the horse.

“I could have also ridden Corragio, but I know what sort of stayer this horse is,” said Powell to the Singapore Turf Club.

“He beat The Hornet over 1800m back in February before he was switched back to 1600m. That didn’t suit him and I told Dr Yeoh to step him up to 2000m because he’s been crying out for the ground.

“All that he needs is a distance, but he’s not one dimensional. If there is no pace you can ride him forward, but if there’s good pace he can be ridden back as he switches off and relaxes.

“He’s just so versatile and I think he’ll just continue to develop into a good stayer.”

Restored’s victory was Dr Yeoh biggest in his training career, which began in Malaysia during the 1980’s.

“I’ve always known he was a very good horse and John rode him very well too,” said Dr Yeoh.

“That’s when I started to seriously consider the QEII Cup. All week, I’ve been working on his fitness as I knew he could stay.

“The Derby is his next target, and then the Gold Cup later in November.”

Owned by the Syk Stable which includes Mr and Mrs Nam Yoon Suck from South Korea, Restored’s (NZ) racing record now reads 11 starts, 4 wins and 3 seconds.
Bred by David Paykel, Restored (NZ) is from a strong international family.
Whilst Restored’s dam Pristine Kristine (USA) (Spinning World) may have only placed twice in the States, her dam was a notable half-sister to the joint second top colt on the 1987 USA 4YO+ Free Hcp, Theatrical, who won 6 Gr.1’s during his career.
To date, Pristine Kristine (USA) has had the two winners from two to race.

20/4/09 Black Mamba (NZ) storms home for Grade 2 placing

New Zealand-bred mare Black Mamba (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe x Sneetch, by Grosvenor) finished second in her fresh-up assignment in the USA on Saturday, going down by a nose margin in the Grade 2 Santa Barbara Handicap (2000m) at Santa Anita.
It took the judges five minutes to separate the first two horses past the post after Black Mamba (NZ) bombed the pacemaking Magical Fantasy late, storming down the outside of the track from back in the field.
It was the first race in four months for the Grade 1 winning mare.
Black Mamba (NZ) scored her first win on American soil the John C Mabee Handicap (1800m) at Del Mar in August, the victory coming hot on the heels of her Gr.2 Beverly Hills Handicap win at Hollywood Park.
Bred by Hawke's Bay businessman Sam Kelt and Sue Foote of Keltern Stud, Black Mamba (NZ) was sold as a yearling by Trelawney Stud at the Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$120,000.
In total the well-related daughter of Black Minnaloushe has won four races from 23 starts, bank-rolling over US$680,000 in stakes earnings.

17/4/09 Black Mamba (NZ) to make 2009 debut

Black Mamba

The Grade 1 winning NZ-bred mare Black Mamba (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe)will make her 2009 race debut on Saturday in the US$200,00 Grade 2 Santa Barbara Handicap (2000m).
It will be the first time the John Sadler-trained six-year-old has been to the races following a four month spell.
“We gave her a little break after her last race,” said Sadler
“A mile and a quarter is a good distance for her, so we’re looking forward to starting her back in her first race of the year.”
Black Mamba (NZ)was beaten by a nose in the Santa Barbara Handicap last year, before going on to record a Grade 2 win in the Hollywood Beverly Hills Handicap, and a brilliant Grade 1 victory in the John C Mabee Handicap. She was also third in the Grade 1 Oak Tree Yellow Ribbon Stakes.
Bred by Hawke's Bay businessman Sam Kelt and Sue Foote of Keltern Stud, Black Mamba (NZ) was sold as a yearling by Trelawney Stud at the Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$120,000.