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.
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