7/3/2010 Viva Pronto stars for
Macau in Hong Kong
Winner: Viva Pronto (Catcher in the Rye-Steel Shuffle)
Race: HKJC Hong Kong Macau Trophy G3 (1400m)
Sold for: $140,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Robyn Wise
Buyer: Scone Bloodstock Services
Earnings: HK$3.7 million
Owner(s): Dr S Ho
Trainer: Gary Moore (Macau)
Macau star Viva Pronto upstaged the locals in a brilliant
all the way win in Saturday's Group Three HK$2.3 million
The Hong Kong Macau Trophy (1400m) at Sha Tin.
Racing in Hong Kong for the first time, the outstanding
Macau sprinter showed speed throughout as he got home to
win the feature by a half length.
In the straight he looked a sitting shot for his rivals
as the more fancied runners Aashiq and Yummy Spirits raced
alongside - but under the urgings of Fausto Durso it was
Viva Pronto who pulled clear again near the post.
The Gary Moore trained son of Catcher in the Rye notched
up career win number nine at just his 15th start. He's earned
over HK$3.7 million (A$525,017).
Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester said Viva
Pronto's win was a great result for not only the Gold Coast
based sales company, but the Australian industry as a whole.
"Gary Moore rang me after the race and not surprisingly
he's very excited," Chester said.
"We've been telling Australia about Viva Pronto for
some time now and this result proves that he's a galloper
of great quality."
"For a couple of years he's been the star of Macau
and to win this big race in Hong Kong is a great result
for Gary and his team."
"Viva Pronto was bred in Australia was sold through
Magic Millions as a yearling and then as a Horses in Training
two-year-old."
Moore, through his good friend and leading Sydney based
bloodstock agent John Hutchinson, purchased Viva Pronto
for $140,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National Horses
in Training Sale at the Gold Coast.
The result is another great advertisement to the team at
Washpool Thoroughbreds, who purchased Viva Pronto for $20,000
from the draft of Robyn Wise at the 2007 Magic Millions
Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
When they resold him at the country's premier breeze up
style sale they also sold a son of Street Cry for $64,000.
Purchased by Laurence Eales, the son of Street Cry is Shocking
- November's famous Melbourne Cup winner.
"To have sold one of the best sprinters in Macau and
one of the best stayers in Australia in the same draft is
a great achievement," Chester summed up.
2/3/2010 Super Seven for NZB
in Hong Kong
Yesterday's Group 1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup night in Hong
Kong saw am impressive seven races going the way of New Zealand
Bloodstock graduates.
The highlight of the night for the kiwis was undoubtedly
the sixth straight win for Brave Kid (Elusive City x Gordon's,
by Kaapstad) who remained unbeaten after carrying 60.5kg
to victory in the Step-Up Interest Account (1800m).
The John Size trained galloper showed his mettle in what
looked to be a perfect Group 1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) lead-up.
Demonstrating his aptitude to tackle 2000m, Brave Kid was
positioned in fifth place, one off the fence, by Douglas
Whyte who chose to settle off a break-neck pace set by Deposer
(Kheleyf).
The pace ensured the contest would go to the best stayer
and Brave Kid came out on top after rolling strongly into
the race and letting down to win by half a length from Above
All (Dehere).
Brave Kid has earnings in excess of HK$3,400,000 for owners
Mr and Mrs Matthew Lam Kin Hong who can now look forward
to the HK$16,000,000Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby on 14
March.
Brave Kid was offered by Rodmor Stud at the 2007 Karaka
Premier Sale where he represented the second crop of Haunui
Farm stallion Elusive City. On the back of recent success,
which included Brave Kid, Elusive City produced fireworks
at Karaka 2010, averaging $77,000, with a top price of $260,000
paid for Lot 221, a half-brother to Group 1 Cox Plate winner
So You Think (High Chaparral) who went to the bid of leading
Victorian trainer Danny O'Brien.
John Size and Douglas Whyte also combined to see another
Karaka graduate win at Sha Tin last night, when three-year-old
Entrapment (Halo Homewrecker x Miabondialee, by Vettori)
won at Class 3 level over 1200m.
Picked by renowned judge John Foote at the 2008 Karaka
Carnival Yearling Sale for $45,000 from Seaton Park, this
was Entrapment's second win from just two career starts.
He looks to have a bright future for owner Benson Lo Tak
Wing with HK$840,000 already in the bank.
Another with a bright future is St Didar (Keeper x Jazzmatazz,
by Citidancer) who at $300,000 was the fourth top lot at
New Zealand Bloodstock's 2008 Ready to Run Sale. There he
was bought by Chris McAnulty on behalf of Richard Hui Chung
Yee from Phoenix Park.
Now trained by David Ferraris, St Didar won on debut over
1000m in Hong Kong this season before placing twice at 1200m.
Dropping back to 1000m last night St Didar got back to the
winners' circle by half a length to take his earnings close
to HK$1,000,000.
Highlighting the success of the 2008 Sale, amongst the
other top ten lots is Group 2 placed King Raedwald (Red
Ransom), a leading Group 1 NZ Derby contender, Group 1 placed
juvenile St Fevre (Dehere), and the Lloyd Williams Stable's
last start Group 2 winner Linton (Galileo).
Full list of NZB winners at Sha Tin last night:
Horse
Breeding Race Sale, Price Vendor Trainer Buyer
Sabina Keeper x J'abeel Class 5 (1800m) K2, $52,500 Cambridge
Stud Almond Lee Richard Yuill
St Didar Keeper x Jazzmatazz Class 4 (1000m) RTR, $300,000
Phoenix Park David Ferraris Chris McAnulty
Forest Star Pins x Ever Clever Class 4 (1200m) K1, $130,000
Waikato Stud Tony Cruz HKJC
Entrapment Halo Homewrecker x Miabondialee Class 3 (1200m)
Carn, $45,000 Seaton Park John Size John Foote
Eight Plus Nine Al Akbar x Mnemonic Class 4 (1400m) K3,
$10,500 Grangewilliam Stud Almond Lee J Heasley
Brave Kid Elusive City x Gordon's Class 1 (1800m) K1, Psd
Rodmor Stud John Size Not Applicable
Master Elite Van Nistelrooy x Pageant Class 3 (1600m) K1,
$90,000 Fairdale Stud Michael Chang Michael Chang
17/2/2010 Goldschatz impressive
in Singapore
Emerging as the headline act of the afternoon with a brilliant
win in the Singapore Group Three Fortune Bowl (2000m), was
the Stephen Gray-trained Goldschatz (NZ) (Pins).
Capturing Kranji’s feature event in dominant style,
the six-year-old son of Pins recorded his fifth straight
raceday success, and eighth career win to date.
“Im very proud of him” said an elated Stephen
Gray to the Singapore Turf Club.
“It is a hard task to do what he has done –
win five races in a row, especially being a stayer”
he added.

GOLDSCHATZ (NZ) - Winning the Fortune Bowl at Kranji (SG3)
Goldschatz (NZ), who was bred by Marie Leicester, joined
Gray’s Singapore stable in 2007 following a preparation
by Stephen’s father Kevin, in New Zealand.
Now owned by Mr Stephan Herzog, the former Haunui Farm
2004 Weanling Sale graduate has earned almost S$600,000
in stakes for his Dubai-based owner. Gray reported after
the race to the STC that he was considering the Gr.2 Queen
Elizabeth II Cup over 2000m on April 23, and the Gr.1 Singapore
Airlines International Cup (200m) on May 16, as future race
targets.
“I’m not quite sure where to go with him now.
The QEII Cup and the SIA Cup will now have to be given serious
consideration” said Gray.
By Pins and out of the winning mare Centri Belle, Goldschatz
(NZ) is yet another successful product of the Pins-Centaine
cross, that has realised 15 percent stakes-winners to runners,
including Gr 1 gallopers Legs (NZ Oaks, Kelt Capital Stakes)
and Econsul (Caulfield Guineas).
Pins, the sire of the outstanding dual Group One winning
filly Katie Lee, currently leads the Singapore General Sires
premiership.
17/2/2010 Brave Kid remains
unbeaten in Hong Kong
Most progressive Brave Kid (Elusive City x Gordon's, by
Kaapstad) took his unbeaten record to five wins from as
many starts in the Peach Blossom Handicap (1600m) at Sha
Tin last night.
His first start beyond 1400m never looked a worry, settling
fourth on the fence for Douglas Whyte before taking over
in the home straight and running out a length winner in
1.35.35.
Trained by John Size, four-year-old Brave Kid is in his
derby year and looks likely to be given his shot at Hong
Kong's most prestigious race on 14 March.
Being out of Group 2 Hawke's Bay Cup (2200m) and Group
3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) winner Gordon's, Brave Kid has
the pedigree to be competitive at the 2000m Hong Kong Derby
distance.
Offered by Rodmor Stud at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale,
Brave Kid is now raced Mr and Mrs Matthew Lam Kin Hong for
whom he has won over HK$2,500,000.
Paul O'Sullivan provided more Kiwi flavour to the Chinese
New Year celebrations with his charge Aashiq (Viking Ruler
x Join the Fun, by Rory's Jester) making it back to back
wins after scoring by three-quarters of a length in the
Kung Hei Handicap (1400m).
Also in his Derby year, Aashiq is a half-brother to smart
Richard Collett trained three-year-old Finderskeepers (Keeper),
who is Group 2 Avondale Guineas placed this season, with
Aashiq's full-brother bought at the recent Karaka Select
Yearling Sale by Albizia Lodge for $130,000 by Michael Stedman
Bloodstock.
Aashiq himself has now won over HK$1,600,000 (NZ$) for
the Indian Horse Lovers Syndicate after being purchased
by Lance O'Sullivan from Brighthill Farm at the 2007 Karaka
Carnival Sale for $40,000.
16/2/2010 Mongolian Derby the
world’s longest and toughest race
ADVENTUROUS Australian horsemen, not
necessarily professional jockeys, could take up the challenge
to ride in the Mongolian Derby in August, but they will
need an iron constitution. It is billed as the toughest
race in the world and is certainly the longest being run
over1000 kilometers.
Some 25 riders, including12 females,
started in the 2009 race and 23 finished.They used 700 horses
and averaged 100 km a day.The event’s format for the
Derby is based on the Chinngis Khan legendary postal system.
More details can be found on mongolderby.com.
Horses in Asian Mongolio, by the way,
out number its population seven to one and an increasing
number were bred in Australia.
15/2/2010 Mugharreb's barnstorming
Singapore debut
The winning run for promising young South Australian stallion
Mugharreb stretched to Singapore on Friday night when his
son Black Ice scored a sensational debut win.
On debut for the in form Steven Burridge stable, Black
Ice came with a brilliant run in the straight to feel in
the leaders and then race away for the easiest of two and
a length wins.
He is the first runner in Singapore for his sire - the
Willow Grove Stud based Mugharreb.
Black Ice was purchased in a private deal by Magic Millions'
Singapore Representative Wade Burridge after showing promise
in Victoria.
"We did pay a bit of money for him, but I think on
that win we should recoup that moment," Steven Burridge
said.
"Wade really liked the horse and we were able to buy
him privately from the owner after he won a trial for Mick
Kent."
"He's been a good doer and I was a little worried
whether he was ready for this, but I wanted to get a run
into him before we switched back to racing on the Polytrack."
"He's got plenty of score about him and he settled
pretty well in the run, so I don't think he'll have any
trouble getting a little further."
With his oldest crop just three, Mugharreb has already
been represented by nine winners and five placegetters -
impressive figures considering he's had only 23 runners
to date.
His early flagbearers have included recent Adelaide winner
Lipsting, Red Centre Classic winner Blueharreb, smart SA
galloper and Adelaide placegetter Oakbank Rise and recent
Victorian debut winner Rapt to Gogo.By champion sire Gone
West, Mugharreb is a Newmarket stakes winning son of the
former champion European filly Marling.
Mugharreb has a classy line up of 19 youngsters set to
go under the hammer next month at the 2010 Magic Millions
Adelaide Yearling Sale.

Black Ice
12/2/2010 Egyptian Ra (NZ) tops
Hong Kong ratings
A one-time sale ring reject is enjoying the last laugh
from the very top of Hong Kong’s rating system this
month.
Buoyed by his recent wins in October’s HK-3 National
Day Cup (1400m) and New Years Day’s HK-3 Chinese Club
Challenge Cup (1400m), Egyptian Ra (NZ) (Woodborough) has
commandeered the top spot from the likes of Good Ba Ba (131)
and Sacred Kingdom (129) with a rating of 134 (see table
below).
Standing in stark contrast to this rating, the chestnut
youngster was largely unwanted at the 2003 Select Colts
Yearling Sale.
“He was passed in at $34,000 and his reserve was $35,000”
said co-breeder Ken Rae.
“We thought it was pretty realistic given that his
half-sister Egyptian Raine had won the Gr.1 Railway Hcp
(1200m) a few weeks earlier and because we genuinely thought
he was a nice individual,”
“He wasn’t always that way though. When I first
saw him as a foal I thought ‘oh yuck – we’ll
have to sell this one’. He looked like a palomino!”
quipped Rae.
With co-breeder Malcom Barrett later opting out of the Woodborough
youngster, Egyptian Ra (NZ) came to be syndicated amongst
co-breeders Ken and Lisa Rae and Chris Ball along with outsiders
Dr Bob Barton, Patricia Sapich, Marie Scot, and Ellie &
Bruce Wootton. He must have been one of the most expensive
maidens sold at the time!
Regarded as a breeze to break-in and a pleasure to handle,
Rae’s good opinion of the horse continued to grow
upon entry into his training stable.
“I said he could be as good as Cleo (Egyptian Raine)
and they said you must be dreaming. I said well maybe,”
said Rae.
“When he debuted for third we were offered $120,000,
but he was that good, I told his co-owners not to sell.
“At his next start he finished a nose in second and
at his third start he was second in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge
Stakes.
“At his fourth start, we put him in the Gr.1 Ellerslie
Sires' Produce Stakes and he was very unlucky to be beaten
by Iflooxcouldkill. It was at his next start when third
in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes though that
the big offers came.
“Rodney Lowry from Christchurch had been chasing the
horse for while. When he offered us $800,000 on behalf of
Hong Kong interests, we couldn’t say no”
“Egyptian Ra had placed in all five of this 2YO starts,
but he was still a maiden. He must have been one of the
most expensive maidens sold at the time!”
Surprisingly, this maiden status would not be debunked in
Hong Kong until nearly three years and three trainers later.
In what was to become his trademark, the free striding chestnut
strode straight to the front for Brett Prebble on this occasion
and when flicked the rein, kicked 1.5 lengths clear, much
to the relief of trainer David Hall and his patient owner
Cheng Keung Fai.
With front running preference unearthed, Egyptian Ra (NZ)
has subsequently landed 8 additional wins and has escalated
his Hong Kong rating with successful stakes outings in the
HK-1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), the HK-2 Hong Kong
International Mile Trial (1600m), the HK-3 Premier Cup (1400m),
the HK-3 National Day Cup (1400m) and in the HK-3 Chinese
Club Challenge Cup (1400m).
All told, the remarkable eight-year-old now boasts approximately
NZ$3,793,000 in earnings and with a view to this being his
last season, his current trainer Tony Cruz is contemplating
a fitting send off.
I'm thinking as this is probably his last season maybe we
could try going somewhere else with him before he's retired,"
Cruz told the South China Morning Post in January.
"I think the Yasuda Kinen would be a terrific race
for him. The track is firm there in Tokyo and he's that
kind of horse - the faster the better for him."
Hong Kong’s Top Rated Horses as at 8/2/10
Rank Name Rating
1 EGYPTIAN RA (NZ) (Woodborough) 134
2 GOOD BA BA 131
3 SACRED KINGDOM 129
4 COLLECTION 127
4 HAPPY ZERO 127
6 VIVA PATACA 125
6 FELLOWSHIP (NZ) (O'Reilly) 125
8 THUMBS UP (NZ) (Shinko King) 124
8 JOY AND FUN (NZ) (Cullen) 124
8 PACKING WINNER (NZ) (Zabeel) 124
8 SIGHT WINNER (NZ) (Faltaat) 124
8/2/2010 Rocket Man back with
a bang
Kranji roared last night as Singapore's highest ever rated
galloper Rocket Man made a scintillating return to the track
after a serious leg injury.
The crowd favourite, racing for the first since his gallant
second in the KrisFlyer International to Sacred Kingdom,
treated his rivals with contempt, racing away to win by
four and a half lengths.
And the margin could only have been bigger. He was sluggish
out of the barriers and eased right down over the final
furlong by regular rider Robbie Fradd.
"Thank goodness for sedatives," a relieved trainer
Patrick Shaw said with a laugh after the win. "It has
been a nerve wrecking week waiting for this race to come
about."
"I am glad it is all over with now," he added.
Winning rider Robbie Fradd was delighted with how his star
mount felt during the race and quickened up in the straight
after a tardy getaway.
"He didn't jump well at all," Fradd commented.
"There were a couple playing up a bit and they caught
his attention."
"But he recovered quickly from that and he raced in
his usual fashion."
"Everything felt really good with him. His action
felt fine and he really put in when I asked him."
Fradd is bullish about Rocket Man's prospects with his
coming big race features in mind.
"I'm really looking forward to having a rematch with
Brett (Prebble) and Sacred Kingdom in the KrisFlyer."
"I've told Brett he won't beat me again."
Connections are aiming Rocket Man at the Group One Golden
Shaheen in Dubai on World Cup night next month.
He would then return to Singapore for the KrisFlyer International
Sprint in May.
A $60,000 purchase for Andy Williams' World Wide Bloodstock
at the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Rocket
Man has turned into a great money spinner for his South
African based owner Fred Crabbia.
As it stands the son of Viscount's record reads out at
eight wins and a second placing from nine runs and has earned
an imposing S$956,923.
1/2/2010 Fellowship (NZ)
wins HK-1 Stewards Cup (1600m)
The ever consistent O’Reilly gelding Fellowship (NZ)
broke through for deserved HK-1 reward in the Stewards’
Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin last night.
Second in the event the year prior, Fellowship (NZ) carved
his successful 2010 path from a slightly worse than midfield
position in the running.
Occupying closer order turning for home, Fellowship (NZ)
burst through to put his seal on the race with 200m to run,
eventually shading out the fast finishing Thumbs Up (NZ)
(Shinko King) to win by a head. Good Ba Ba finished third.
"I've been finishing second and third in Group 1
races so it is nice to win one for a change," Purton
told the HKJC."I thought we had the race won some distance
out but then he started to prick his ears when he heard
the other horse coming and I had to shake him up a bit."
Trainer Paul O'Sullivan, who is attending the Yearling
Sales in New Zealand, said in a long distance call he was
more than delighted the horse had proved his Group credentials.
"I have said before he is a genuine Group horse but
he kept running into an ultra fit Good Ba Ba," he said.
"He's turned the tables this time."
O'Sullivan said Fellowship (NZ) will now be aimed at the
Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup on 14 March and the Champions
Mile on 25 April.
"He has run close to many Group One horses so he
deserves this. I couldn't be happier as he has performed
extremely well. Actually his bodyweight is the same as when
he won the Cathay Pacific International Mile Trial. He is
a big horse but luckily he had a clear run," he added.
Fellowship (NZ) commenced his racing career in NZ as Walsburgs
Pride, winning two of his three starts here for trainer
Richard Coxon.
Subsequently exported to Hong Kong, Fellowship (NZ) has
since distinguished himself with 7 additional wins (see
full race record below) and with HK$16,964,500 in earnings.
Bred by G & Mrs LM Hodel, Fellowship is by the two time
Champion HK sire, O’Reilly and is out of the Danzalion
mare Mystical Flight.
Race Record: 26 Starts 9-6-3 9 wins from 1400m to 1800m,
NZ$10,300, HK$16,964,500, to 2009-10, HKJC Stewards' Cup,
HK-1, Cathay Pacific International Mile Trial, HK-2, National
Day Cup, HK-3, Victoria Harbour H., Chek Keng H., Waikato
RC Gaye McClunie H., HKJC Elgin H., Indigenous H., 2d HKJC
Stewards' Cup, HK-1, Chairman's Trophy, HK-2, National Day
Cup, HK-3, Premier P., HK-3, ATV Cup, Chevalier Lifts &
Escalators H., 3d Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile, Gr.1, HKJC
Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, HK-1, Panasonic Cup.
Fuku Kitaru (NZ) wins again
in Singapore
9:44 AM Monday Feb 01, 2010
Smart three-year-old sprinter Fuku Kitaru (NZ) scored three-in-a-row
on Friday night when he emerged victorious in the $75,000
Kranji Stakes C Canada Cup (1100m).
After dropping off the fast pace, the New Zealand-bred by
Ishiguru was slipped more rein, and in one fell swoop, the
Mohd Yusof-trained galloper hit the front and scooted clear
to rally home by 2 ½ lengths.
“He’s been a good moneyspinner for us as he
cost only NZ$37,500 as a two-year-old,” said Mohd
Yusof to the STC.
“He’s got a big heart. He’s improving
all the time,” he added.
Fuku Kitaru (NZ) was one of three NZ-bred gallopers to take
line honours on Friday night, whilst the Karaka Yearling
Sale-graduate Better Than Ever maintained his unbeaten record
with a record breaking first-up victory in the $200,000
Group 3 Three Rings Trophy over 1400m.
Better Than Ever, who was bred by Helen-Gaye, Kylie, and
Graham Bax, ran the 1400m journey in 1 min 21.34 secs, taking
0.17 seconds off the previous record on the short course.
The former Blandford Lodge yearling has won all six of his
starts since arriving at the stables of trainer Laurie Laxon.
Laxon said he would give Better Than Ever a short break
before returning for the Three-Year-Old Series of races
which kicks off with the Group 3 Three-year-Old Sprint over
1200m on March 26, progressing to the Group 2 Singapore
Three-Year-Old Classic over 1400m on April 18 and winds-up
with the Group 1 Singapore Guineas over 1600m on May 14.
While reluctant to actually label Better Than Ever as his
best galloper, Laxon doesn’t hide the fact that he
believes the gelding is something out of the box.
“He is something special,” said Laxon. “I’ve
been pretty lucky throughout my career to have trained quite
a number of very good horses.
“He has to be right up there. We’ll let him
finish his career before I can tell you where he actually
sits.
“I’m getting a bit older now, so maybe my judgment
is slightly clouded, but I would say that he is right up
there with the best.”
25/1/2010 Beauty Flash wins HK-1
Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Mile (1600m)

Beauty Flash
The impressive Golan galloper Beauty Flash (NZ) looks well
on track for bigger things ahead following a superlative
win in the HK-1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at
Sha Tin last night.
From the widest barrier 14, Beauty Flash (NZ) crossed easily
to take the lead for Christopher Soumillon, and from this
vantage it was game over for his chasers.
Skipping clear after the bend, Beauty Flash (NZ) was in
a class of his own in the run to the line, ultimately landing
post honours in what was the first leg of the 4YO series
by 2 ¾ lengths.
Won by the NZ galloper Thumbs Up (NZ) (Shinko King) in a
time of 1:35.65 in 2009, Beauty Flash (NZ) clocked 1.34.39
for his good track 2010 HK-1 Mile outing.
Beauty Flash (NZ) recieved his formative education with
Lance Noble in New Zealand. After achieving one-win from
three career starts, he was then exported to Tony Cruz’s
Hong Kong stable in 2009 and since this time has added to
his resume with 6 wins from 7 starts.
Following Sunday’s performance trainer Tony Cruz has
declared Beauty Flash (NZ) will target the Mercedes Benz
Hong Kong Derby Trial (Feb 16) before heading to the highly
prestigious Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Derby (Mar 14).
“With a horse like this, you have to go all the
way, he’s a real beauty and he’s lived up to
his name” Cruz told the HKJC.
Purchased for a moderate $65,000 by D O’Donnell from
the Halidon Hill draft at the 2007 NZB Select Yearling Sale,
Beauty Flash (NZ) has to date rewarded his Hong Kong owner
Mr Kwok Siu-ming with HK$3,927,500 in earnings.
Classically Windsor Park Stud bred, Beauty Flash (NZ) combines
the bloodlines of the stud’s resident stallion Golan
with Wychwood Rose – a daughter of none other than
their champion stallion Volksraad.
Sadly now deceased, Wychwood Rose produced two winners from
as many runners and hailed from the family of the champion
2YO in New Zealand, Maroofity.
Best known for his Gr.1 Victoria Derby winning son Kibbutz,
Golan is the sire of 10 stakes winners including the Group
horses Le Baron, Regime, My Scotsgrey and Lady Alberton.
Golan will be represented by 5 horses at the Premier Yearling
Sale, 10 at the Select and with a further 8 offspring at
the Festival Yearling Sale.
22/1/2010 Williams to pilot
Tuscan Spirit (NZ) in HK-1 attempt
The services of champion Melbourne jockey Craig Williams
have been recruited by the connections of Tuscan Spirit
(NZ) ahead of his HK-1 attempt in the Mercedes Benz Hong
Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on Sunday at Sha Tin.
By Te Runga Stud’s Danehill stallion Chianti, Tuscan
Spirit (NZ) was the highest rated Hong Kong –based
3YO at the end of the 2008/09 season.
Trained by John Size, the rating followed a season comprising
of four consecutive wins from 1000-1200m and a Hong Kong
Gr.3 third in the HK Premier Bowl over 1200m.
Mr Size provided the written undertaking on behalf of Tuscan
Spirit’s owners Mr George Wong Kin Wah & Ms Susie
Wong Li Chia.
Williams has also accepted the engagements on Tuscan Spirit
(NZ) in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial (HK Group
2, Sha Tin, 16 February 2010) and the Mercedes-Benz Hong
Kong Derby (HK Group 1, Sha Tin, 14 March 2010), provided
the horse is included in the field for those races.
New Zealand’s four other entries for Sunday’s
HK-1 event comprise of Beauty Flash (NZ) (Golan), Beauty
Legend (NZ) (Volksraad), Appreciation (NZ) (Danasinga) and
Moonwalk (NZ) (Traditionally).
Serving as the top rated horse in field, Beauty Flash (NZ)
has won 5 of his 6 Hong Kong starts from 1200-1400m and
is the obvious class horse heading into Sunday’s assignment.
Formerly known as Izonit (NZ) in New Zealand where he won
the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m), Beauty Flash (NZ) is
a brother to the Gr.1 winner Dezigna and of his two Hong
Kong starts, he counts a last start win over 1600m.
A winner of both of his first two starts in Hong Kong in
2009 Appreciation (NZ) has gone on with the job this season
with a further three wins ranging from 1400-1800m.
Like Tuscan Spirit and Appreciation, Moonwalk (NZ) is another
from the John Size stable.
Moonwalk (NZ) was successful on debut in Australia before
his Hong Kong export, where he has since had four starts
for two wins (1400m-1600m).
21/1/2010 Raffles Cup boost
on eve of Perth sale
Cheyenne Dancer has been announced as the winner of the
Group One Raffles Cup in Singapore following the disqualification
on Tuesday of the horse first past the post, Big Maverick.
Big Maverick returned a swab irregularity and connections
of that galloper elected to have the referee sample tested.
It also revealed the presence of a prohibited substance.
On Tuesday stewards from the Singapore Turf Club officially
disqualified Big Maverick as winner of the S$517,250 race
and fined his trainer Laurie Laxon S$25,000.
Cheyenne Dancer, sold by Magic Millions as a weanling and
yearling, is now the winner of the time honoured feature
for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Danny Beasley.
A high class galloper in both Malaysia and Singapore the
son of Indian Danehill has earned the equivalent of A$819,000.
From just 25 starts the classy gelding has won 10 races
and been placed on seven other occasions.
Prior to joining the stables of Freedman, Cheyenne Dancer
proved his class in Malaysia where he was crowned their
Horse of the Year for 2008.
The Raffles Cup win is a timely boost to Cheyenne Dancer's
three quarter sister set to go under the hammer at next
week's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale,
Catalogued as lot number 427, the filly by Magic of Sydney
is a member of a quality draft being prepared by Avoca Park
Stud & Agistment.
Also in the draft are quality youngsters by sires including
Singspiel, Flying Pegasus, Charge Forward, Elvstroem, Testa
Rossa, Snitzel, Beautiful Crown and Hurricane Sky.
The 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale kicks away
on Wednesday with the first of four sessions at the Belmont
Park Sales Complex.
14/1/2010 Huge turnout for
£1,750,000 Tattersalls millions race series
A bumper entry of 408 two-year-olds, with purchase prices
ranging from 5,000 guineas through to 700,000 guineas, has
been made for the Tattersalls Millions, a series of eight
races offering a total of £1.75 million in prize money.
All of the races, run both this year and next over distances
from six to 10 furlongs, will take place at Newmarket and
the Tattersalls Millions is the most extensive sales race
series ever run in the Northern Hemisphere.
The races are only open to horses from Book 1 of the 2009
Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and owners will pay a
total of £4,000 for their horses to run.
The first race, the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions
Fillies’ Auction Stakes, will be run over six furlongs
at Newmarket’s July Course on 28th August while the
eighth and final race in the series takes place over 10
furlongs at the end of June, 2011.
Among those targeting the series are the Highclere Thoroughbred
Racing syndicate, who have six entries including a 150,000
guineas Mr Greeley colt out of the Prix Marcel Boussac winner
Sulk.
“I think that expanding the series to eight races
is a great help to owners - it gives more opportunities,
especially for the three-year-olds - and the variety of
distances is also a great incentive,” said Harry Herbert,
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Managing Director.
“The Mr Greeley colt that is going to Sir Michael
Stoute was one our most expensive yearlings last year but
he is out of a Group One-winning mare. He is a very imposing
horse who is currently being broken with Malcolm Bastard
before heading off to Sir Michael in around two or three
weeks time.
“He’s actually quite a strong looking horse
- I suspect that he is going to be more of an autumn two-year-old
because he looks a good-sized horse with plenty of improvement
on him.”
Highclere’s entries also include a 110,000 guineas
Danehill Dancer filly with Jeremy Noseda, a 100,000 guineas
Cadeaux Genereux colt with William Haggas, a 95,000 guineas
son of Cacique trained by Michael Jarvis, a 72,000 guineas
Danehill Dancer filly with Richard Hannon and a Haggas-trained
son of Oasis Dream who was bought privately.
“I think that Cacique only had 28 foals due to fertility
issues but this colt looks a really good-looking prospect
and is very much a three-year-old in the making. He is going
the right way but he should be a late summer starter who
won’t be seen at his best until next year,”
continued Herbert.
“On the other hand, our Oasis Dream colt out of Wyola
looks very precocious and he looks a real two-year-old in
the making - neat, strong, very athletic. He is already
skipping up Warren Hill for William Haggas and he is most
likely to be seen to best effect as a juvenile.
“We also have a Cadeaux Genereux colt with William
and he’s a bigger horse who is more likely to be seen
well into the second half of the season. He’s quite
a strong and imposing individual with a similar stamp to
Bonus, who was a useful sprinter for us with Richard Hannon.
“The two Danehill Dancer fillies that we have entered
both look very forward - the one we have sent to Jeremy
Noseda is particularly precocious - she is bright in her
skin and could be our first juvenile runner of the season.
I was very taken with her when I saw her last week and she
could be a filly for Royal Ascot at the moment.
“It was tough to buy at Book 1 last year and it was
nice to be able to get yearlings by stallions like Mr Greeley
and Danehill Dancer at a decent price. I am hopeful that
one or two of them will be able to run in one or more of
the Tattersalls Millions races.
“We have been fortunate to win Tattersalls sales
races with Tiger Eye and Tamarisk in the past and they are
great to have a crack at. The fact that there are now eight
races makes the concept even more appealing.”
The 700,000 guineas Book 1 sale-topper, an Oasis Dream
colt trained by Aidan O’Brien for Derrick Smith, is
the dearest entry although those engaged cover a full spectrum
of prices.
George Washington’s as yet unnamed only foal, a filly
bought for 320,000 guineas by owner Julie Wood and in training
with Richard Hannon, has been entered. Meanwhile, also engaged
is a Danehill Dancer three-parts brother to George Washington
in training with William Haggas.
Footballer Michael Owen has several entries trained at
his Cheshire stable by Tom Dascombe, including a 200,000
guineas Cadeaux Genereux filly he shares with Betfair founder
Andrew Black.
Sir Robert Ogden has expanded his team of Flat trainers
this year and a 650,000 guineas Galileo colt named Olympiad,
bought by the owner, has joined Dermot Weld. Appropriately
Weld’s mother Gita bred the colt.
As well as Jeremy Noseda, who previously oversaw the bulk
of Ogden’s Flat string, he also has Tattersalls Millions
entries trained by Richard Fahey, Brian Meehan, Sir Michael
Stoute and David Wachman.
The Maktoum family are well represented among the entries
while Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, from the ruling
family of Abu Dhabi, has three entered, all trained by Henry
Cecil. These include the 475,000 guineas colt Durante Alighieri
and a 350,000 guineas Danehill Dancer filly.
Gerard Augustin-Normand, who raced last season’s
French Derby winner Le Havre, has 11 entries including the
180,000 guineas filly Arromanches, from the final crop of
Sadler’s Wells.
Meanwhile another significant buyer at last year’s
sale was Andrew Tinkler, CEO of the Eddie Stobart haulage
firm, who has three entries in Shamdarley (90,000 guineas),
Well Sharp (80,000 guineas) and Firstknight (80,000 guineas)
split between Michael Dods and Tom Dascombe.
Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;
“We are delighted with the number of entries for
the £1,750,000 Tattersalls Millions. To have more
than 400 entries is a wonderful endorsement of the all new
Tattersalls Millions which is the best value sales race
series ever devised in Europe.
“When we made the changes to the Tattersalls Millions
last year we were aiming to produce a series which allowed
horses from all levels of Book 1 of the October Yearling
Sale to compete for six figure prize money and it is terrific
that owners have supported it so wholeheartedly.”
Newmarket's Director of Racing Michael Prosser said: "I
am thrilled by the initial entry for the Tattersalls Millions
series, which is open to all horses that were catalogued
in Book 1 of last year's Tattersalls October Yearling Sales.
"The increase in numbers is especially satisfying
and indicates that the new formula has captured the imagination
of owners and trainers alike.
"The series, which was first staged in 2008, has evolved
to offer substantial prize funds over a number of different
stages.
"I am particularly excited about the inaugural £150,000
Tattersalls Millions 3yo Trophy, which will be held at the
2011 Craven meeting.
"This valuable race offers three-year-old sprinters
an ideal starting-point for their campaigns and I'm sure
will be a very useful addition to the programme book."
14/1/2010 Inglis graduates dominate
Hong Kong racing scene
Fast approaching the half way mark in the Hong Kong season,
Inglis’ golden run of success in the racing mecca
has been further enhanced by the remarkable 24 per cent
winning strike rate notched by sale graduates to date this
season.
The latest winner was the John Moore trained CRAIG’S
DRAGON ($150,000 2006 Easter, 5g Catbird-Steam Heat) who
chalked up the 73rd win in Hong Kong this season for Inglis
when winning the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy at Sha Tin on
Sunday.
He joins G1 International Sprint winner Sacred Kingdom,
Happy Zero and Inspiration as Inglis graduates to win Group
races in Hong Kong this season.
"To win a quarter of the races so far this season
is a phenomenal statistic given the competitive racing population
derived from highly credentialed tried horses and yearling
purchases from all major racing centres across the globe,"
said Inglis Commercial Development Manager Matt Rudolph.
"The most pleasing aspect is that our best graduates
in Hong Kong such as Fairy King Prawn, Lucky Owners, Silent
Witness and the above mentioned were all specifically bought
for Hong Kong from the sale ring which means our clients
are being rewarded for their judgement on yearlings."
While Easter is where the bulk of Inglis’ best performers
in Hong Kong have originated, all of the major Inglis yearling
sales have produced Champions in Hong Kong in recent years.
Silent Witness was a $55,000 purchase at Sydney Classic
and Sacred Kingdom was purchased for $200,000 out of Melbourne
Premier.
Inglis remains the only company to have sold a winner of
the Hong Kong International Sprint, starting with inaugural
winner Fairy King Prawn and continuing through the likes
of Silent Witness, Inspiration and Sacred Kingdom.
Yesterday’s release of the Thoroughbred World Rankings
further underlined Inglis’ reputation.
Sacred Kingdom was rated the top sprinter in the world
for the third year running and of the Australian trained
runners, Inglis graduates filled five places in the top
10, with Whobegotyou, All Silent, Takeover Target, Maldivian
and Racing To Win all highly regarded by the International
handicapping panel.
The Inglis Yearling Sale Series for 2010 commences with
the Sydney Classic Yearling Sale at Newmarket on January
24 & 25.
13/1/2010 2009 World Thoroughbred
Rankings
The 2009 World Thoroughbred Rankings have been released
by the International Federation of Horse Authorities with
a record Australian-trained contingent featuring within.
To merit inclusion, a horse must have been rated at 115
or above in the period under review by the World Thoroughbred
Rankings Conference.
Of the 333 horses making the listings 50 were Australian-trained,
up from 36 in 2008, which represents a record in any World
Thoroughbred Rankings over a 12 month period.
This is the second year the Rankings list all performances
throughout the world in the calendar year, irrespective
of where individual horses raced or were trained.
The Rankings therefore represent a comprehensive list of
the best individual performances by the world’s racing
elite during 2009.
SEA THE STARS HEADS RANKINGS
The top rated horse for 2009 at 136 was the recently retired
champion Irish three-year-old Sea The Stars (IRE).
Trained by John Oxx, Sea The Stars was undefeated during
the year culminating in a brilliant win in the Group 1 Prix
de l’Arc de Triomphe over 2400m at Longchamp in October.
Sea The Stars is the highest rated horse since Peintre Celebre
(137) in 1997.
Brilliant French mare Goldikova (130) was next in the rankings,
ahead of Rip Van Winkle (129), with Fame And Glory and unbeaten
USA mare Zenyatta both on 128.
AUSTRALIANS SHINE
The highest rated Australian-trained horses on 122 were
world class sprinter Scenic Blast and the Bart Cummings-trained
pair So You Think and Viewed.
Scenic Blast is the equal Champion Sprinter in the world
in 2009 along with Australian-bred and Hong Kong-trained
star Sacred Kingdom (122) who achieved his rating in winning
the Kris Flyer Sprint in Singapore and the year-ending Hong
Kong International Sprint in
December.
This marks the third consecutive year that Sacred Kingdom
has been ranked Champion Sprinter, either outright or in
partnership, over the past three years.
Australian-bred horses again dominated the world sprinting
ranks with Singapore trained star Rocket Man (121) the highest
rated three-year-old sprinter in the world for his second
placing behind Sacred Kingdom in the Kris Flyer Sprint.
A further four Australian-bred and internationally trained
horses joined Sacred Kingdom and Rocket Man in the 2009
Rankings. They were South African trained Our Giant (a half
brother to Rocket Man), rising Hong Kong star Happy Zero,
One World and War Artist.
SCENIC BLAST (122)
Trained by Dan Morton in Western Australia, Scenic Blast
achieved a rating of 122 in winning both the Group 1 Newmarket
Handicap (1200m) at Flemington in March where he carried
top weight of 57kg and again when he scorched down the Royal
Ascot straight to win the King’s Stand Stakes (1000m)
in June.
SO YOU THINK (122)
So You Think achieved a rating of 122 in his all-the-way
win in the Tatts Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October
and again when second in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at
Flemington in November where he carried 1.5kg over Weight-For-Age.
VIEWED (122)
Viewed achieved his rating when winning the BMW Caulfield
Cup over 2400m in October. He carried the top weight of
57kg and conceded weight to all his rivals in a two length
win over Roman Emperor and Vigor.
Whobegotyou came next in the Australian listings on 120
for his wins in the Dato Tan Chin Nam (Feehan) Stakes over
1600m at Moonee Valley in September and the Yalumba (Caulfield)
Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield in October.
Typhoon Tracy was the highest rated Australian filly or
mare achieving a rating of 118 in her devastating five length
victory in the Myer (Empire Rose) Classic over 1600m during
Flemington’s Melbourne Cup Carnival in November.
A notable omission from the listings is 2009 Emirates Melbourne
Cup winner Shocking. While he joined the honour roll of
winners of Australia’s most famous race, Shocking
was lightly weighted (51kg) and received weight from the
second, third and fourth placegetters in Crime Scene, Mourilyan
and Master O’Reilly. Shocking was rated 114 in winning
the race.
Greg Carpenter, Chairman of the ANZ Classifications Committee
and Australia’s representative on the WTR Committee,
said “The 2009 listings again illustrate the dominance
of world sprinting by Australian-bred horses with Scenic
Blast and Sacred Kingdom heading
the older sprint category and Rocket Man the highest rated
three-year-old sprinter in the world.
“The performances of our top three-year-old So You
Think and leading stayer Viewed were also considered world
class and the record number of Australian horses in the
listings provide ample proof of the growing influence on
world racing of the Australian racing and
breeding industry.”
Total Number of Australian Trained Horses Rated 115+
2009 50
2008 36
2007/08 33
2006/07 29
2005/06 16
2004/05 9
8/1/2010 Danroad mare wins
in America
The New Zealand-bred mare Kazroad (Danroad ex Karen’s
Heart, by Peintre Celebre) was a winner at Santa Anita in
America on the 28th of December.
It was the mare’s second run in the United States,
having formerly been prepared by Mike and Paul Moroney at
Matamata in New Zealand.
“She won by four-and-a-half lengths over 1100 metres
on dirt,” co-owner Chris McAnulty reported to NZTM.
“She was shipped to LA after bleeding at her fifth
NZ start.”
Kazroad is a four-year-old daughter of Highview Stud’s
Danehill horse Danroad. According to figures provided by
Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz), Danroad is the sire of
27 winners from 54 runners to date.
The dam is the unraced Peintre Celebre mare Karen’s
Heart, while the second dam is Sauvignon Valley, a Listed
Race winner and Group One-placed in Western Australia.
Plans are for Kazroad to contest a Grade Three mile early
in the New Year.
4/1/2010 Aussie bred captures
Macau group three
Quality Macau galloper Luen Yat Forever doubled his stakes
win count when he cruised to victory in Sunday's Group Three
Winter Trophy (1800m).
An Australian bred and sold gelding by Honours List, Luen
Yat Forever led home former Sydney stakes winner (Golden)
Pistols by a length and three quarters.
A $32,000 bargain buy for connections at the 2006 Magic
Millions National Weanling Sale, Luen Yat Forever was purchased
from the draft of Glenlogan Park.
The Steven Choi trained performer had previously shot to
prominence when he won the Group Three Lisboa Challenge
in July.
His impressive record now reads out at six wins and six
placings from just 14 starts and he's earned the equivalent
of $278,537.
Luen Yat Forever, by Honours List, is the only runner to
date for his dam Loisset.
A daughter of Langfuhr, Loisset won four races during her
career, including two in Sydney, for earnings of almost
$100,000.
She is from a winning Don't Say Halo half sister to Group
One winner Leica Planet and is from the famous Leica family.
Other Group One winners in the pedigree include Leica Show,
Leica Guv, Light Fantastic and Pharaoh.
The win of Luen Yat Forever wraps up an outstanding few
days for Magic Millions graduates on the international circuit
with stakes winners in no fewer than four countries over
the weekend.
There were 20 Magic Millions graduates win around Australia
on Saturday include the feature Australian race quinella
in the $50,000 Bairnsdale Cup (Encroacher and Escape Artist).
28/12/09 Oracy back to best for
Laird
Top class four-year-old Oracy will head to one of South
Africa's biggest races after he easily won Sunday's Group
Three London News Stakes at Turffontein.
A $400,000 purchase for trainer Charles Laird from the
2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Oracy beat
the locally bred Captain Scott and fellow Gold Coast graduate
Dan De Lago.
The result was a real family affair with Laird preparing
the winner and third placegetter, while splitting the pair
with the runner-up was Laird's cousin Alec.
Oracy sat just behind the leader Fenerbahce until turning
for home when he made with his run with Captain Scott.
In the run the line Oracy, with Piere Strydom aboard, had
a length and a quarter to spare of Captain Scott.
Both Oracy and Dan De Lago, an Aussie bred son of Encosta
de Lago, will most likely next clash in the Group One J
& B Met at Cape Town.
Laird told reporters after the race that he expected both
to be hard to beat in the J & B Met and thought Dan
De Lago had more improvement with Oracy have a clear edge
in fitness this time around.
Oracy's win was the sixth in seven starts for the star
entire. His only defeat came at his most recent start when
he missed a place in the Group One Summer Cup.
Earlier on he had won the Gauteng Guineas and Dingaans
Handicap, both at Group Two level.
Dan De Lago, who is from The Golden Dane, has five wins
and four minor placings from his 10 starts and he is a proven
Group Two winner and Group One placegetter already.
Oracy, by champion Cambridge Stud sire Zabeel, is one of
two stakes winners this season from two runners from the
group winner Lady Dehere.
A group two winner in her own right, Lady Dehere is also
the dam of this season's New Zealand stakes winning juvenile
The Lady.
Lady Dehere is a half sister to Oratorio - a winner of
the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic who is now standing
at Mungrup Stud in Western Australia.
Oratorio, a group winning son of Stravinsky, is one of
Australia's hottest second season sires and his stakes winning
stars include the likes of Clueless Angel, Waratah's Secret
and Gold Rocks.
28/12/09 Raul stars in Malaysian
group one
Grand international galloper Raul rounded out a memorable
weekend of success for Magic Millions graduates when he
won the Group One Yang Di Pertua Negeri Gold Cup (2200m)
in Malaysia on Sunday.
Raul cruised to the line three parts of a length clear
of Worth the Wait, while fellow Magic Millions graduate
Free Spirit was not far back in third place.
A former outstanding galloper in Singapore, Raul, now a
spritely 10-year-old, has headed to Malaysia and this year
alone has won four more races for trainer Evert van Breukelen.
All up the gelding has won 12 races and placed on 29 other
occasions and earned the equivalent of A$1.565 million.
The all the way win was the biggest and most significant
in the career of MRA apprentice Lou Ho.
"It's the best feeling winning the most prestigious
race," he said. "It feels like a dream."
Raul was sold twice by Magic Millions - Australia's leading
supplier of international winners.
He was originally purchased by Barely a Moment's breeder
Dick Vincent for $5,250 from the 2000 Magic Millions St
Jude Dispersal Sale.
Vincent, through his De Grey Park draft, sold Raul at the
2001 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale where he was snapped
up by leading bloodstock agent John Chalmers for $12,000.
Earlier in his illustrious career Raul proved himself one
of the best gallopers in Singapore by winning the Gold Cup
in 2004.
He also won the first leg of the Tiger Beer Triple Challenge
in 2003 over 1200 metres.
Prior to his win in the Malaysian Group One on Sunday,
Raul had captured the Astro Wah Lai Toi Charity Cup over
2000 metres on November 22.
He had also won his start before over 1700 metres at Penang.
Raul, by L'Enjoleur's half brother Hideyoshi, is one of
his six winners from his dam, the twice raced Beau Sovereign
mare Whisper to Me.
Whisper to Me is a half sister to Perth stakes winner My
Judy (dam of SP Centrepiece and grandam of Singapore star
The Hornet and Perth stakes winner Parc D'amour) and the
stakes placed Premier Gossip.
Further back it is the family of stakes winners including
Irish Peace, Olive Branch, Scimitar and Brash Son.
22/12/09 NZB claims half
in Hong Kong
On Saturday night at Sha Tin, half the racecard went the
way of the Kiwis, with New Zealand Bloodstock sale graduates
claiming five winners on the ten-race card, including the
feature Gome Cup (1400m).
Amigo Wins Gome Cup
Raced as Kabalevsky in New Zealand from the Stephen Marsh
stable, Amigo (Giant's Causeway x Lucrative Dame, by Zeditave)
scored by seven lengths in his NZ debut at Waverly over
1200m before finding his way to the Michael Chang stable
in Hong Kong.

Amigo flashes down the outside in the Gome Cup
photo: HKJC
A notable strong finisher, Amigo scored on debut in Hong
Kong from what seemed an impossible position on the home
turn. Amigo came so far wide in the home straight that he
was missed by the camera man completely, only coming into
view when running past all rivals in the final 50 metres.
The HK$1,150,000 Gome Cup on Saturday drew a field of 14
and Amigo, ridden by Jeff Lloyd, was asked to sit three
wide in transit with cover.
Into the home straight Amigo found himself wide again,
with the benefit being that he could find his full stride
in plenty of space and on Saturday his stretch proved superior
for a second time in Hong Kong.
Amigo was purchased by Michael Chang for $170,000 from
Curraghmore Stud at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale. The son
of the 'iron-horse' Giant's Causeway and stakes-placed mare
Lucrative Dame has now won HK$1,500,000 for his owners the
Michael Chang Syndicate.
Curraghmore Stud will present 31 yearlings at Karaka Premier
2010 including yearlings by Zabeel, Encosta De Lago, Redoute's
Choice, Flying Spur, Dansili, Fastnet Rock, Stravinsky,
Darci Brahama, Dehere, Charge Forward, Rock of Gibraltar,
Royal Academy, and Fusaichi Pegasus.
Brave Kid
Elusive City seems to have produced a very smart gelding
in the form of the John Size trained Brave Kid (ex Gordons,
by Kaapstad).
Now the winner of two races from just the two starts,
Brave Kid drew wide on Saturday, sat back, then flew past
his rivals to claim victory in the Hisense Handicap (1400m)
with Douglas Whyte aboard.
His victory by a neck was most impressive given the fact
he was bumped severely and carted wide on the home turn
by runners inside him.
The four-year-old son of Group 2 Hawke's Bay Cup winner
Gordon's knuckled down in the final 300m and looks a very
capable type.
Brave Kid was offered by Rodmor Stud at the 2007 Karaka
Premier Sale and he has now won HK$840,000 for his owners
Mr and Mrs Matthew Lam Kin Hong.
Haunui Farm's Elusive City has sired quality racing stock
in both hemispheres including Group 1 French 1000 Guineas
winner Elusive Wave and in New Zealand last season's Listed
Ryder Stakes winner Lamington Vegas.
The Group 1 winning juvenile is represented by 37 yearlings
(Premier, Select, and Festival) at the 2010 National Yearling
Sales Series at Karaka in February.
These include Premier colts:
Lot 155 - Elusive City x Shahiid (Pentire) - Little Avondale
Stud
· Out of a full-sister to New Zealand's 2006/07
Champion Stayer Pentathon who won a New Zealand Cup and
placed in both the Group 1 Sydney and Group 1 Doomben Cups.
Lot 221 - Elusive City x Triassic (Tights) - Windsor Park
Stud
· From Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic winner
Triassic, this colt is a half-brother to this season's Group
1 Cox Plate winner, sensational three-year-old So You Think
(High Chaparral).
Lot 241 - Elusive City x Woodini (Woodman) - Te Mania Thoroughbreds
· This colt is a half-brother to Group 3 Wonderful
World Stakes winner Millbank (Keeper).
Other NZB graduates to win in Hong Kong include:
Horse Breeding Race Sale, Price Vendor Buyer
Wind Damper Stravinsky x New Brew Class 4 (1000m) K2, $95,000
Seaton Park Ricky Yiu
Super Family Lord of Warriors x Floresta Class 5 (1400m)
SI, $16,000 Selwyn River Stud Yu Yan Yung
Moonglow Colombia x Kings Bride Class 4 (1400m) K3, $10,000
Paramount Lodge Graeme Rogerson
Catalogues can be viewed online at http://www.nzb.co.nz/.
To order your hard-copy contact reception@nzb.co.nz. For
hospitality and travel enquiries please contact Hospitality
Coordinator Victoria Vela (victoria.vela@nzb.co.nz).
21/12/09 Laxon claims 6th consecutive
premiership title

Pacino (NZ) takes Laxon's tally to 95 for 2009
Champion trainer Laurie Laxon lifted his sixth consecutive
Singapore Trainers’ Premiership title on Sunday in
Singapore, with a 2009 season tally of 95 wins.
Appropriately it was the NZ-bred galloper Pacino (NZ) (Shinko
King) who brought Laxon’s prolific season to an end,
with the former Melbourne Cup trainer having saddled the
Class 4 winner in Big Minako (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) earlier
in the night.
“It’s been a great season for me. I’m
very happy with the way things have turned out, never mind
the century,” said Laxon to the Singapore Turf Club.
“Of course it helps to have horses like Ace Aliado,
who by himself won seven races, and of course Better Than
Ever.
“It’s again been a wonderful team effort, not
to mention the support of our owners who invest a lot of
their time and money in quality horses.”
One of Laxon’s stand-out performers this season has
been the Towkay four-year-old Ace Aliado (NZ), who has won
all of his seven starts since January 18 2009. Similarly
Mexican Rose (NZ) (Volksraad), a three-year-old filly who
Laxon owns and trains, completed her first season in Singapore
with a five-straight win haul.
In 2004, Laxon became the first person in the history of
Singapore racing to train 100 winners in a season. He emulated
this effort in 2007 with 104 winners.
Fellow ex-patriot trainers Stephen Gray and Bruce Marsh
closed the 2009 season with 49 and 35 wins respectively.
20/12/09 Scone Gladiator a star
in Macau
Viscount gelding Happy Gladiator has emerged as the shooting
star in Macau racing, making it seven wins from as many
starts when easily beating the highly touted Good Control
overnight.
In winning by two and three quarter lengths, Happy Gladiator
lowered Macau’s sand track 1300m course record.
HAPPY GLADIATOR ($57,500 2008 Scone, 3g Viscount-Church
On Sunday) only began his career in June of this year, but
has quickly made his way through the grades for trainer
Gary Moore, with his earnings this season now approaching
M$1.4million (A$195,000).
Taking up his customary front running role, Happy Gladiator
set a cracking pace in front last night and when challenged
by Good Control, found another gear to race clear over the
concluding stages.
“He’s a very exciting horse,” Moore said.
“He’s lowered the track record and easily beaten
Good Control, who is a horse they have earmarked for Dubai,
so he’s really stamping himself as one of our top
horses here.”
He was offered for sale by Woodlands Stud as agent at the
2008 HTBA Scone Yearling Sale and looks another rising star
on the international stage for Viscount.
His dam Church On Sunday is a daughter of Bubble Gum Fellow
from the top mare Will Fly, who won nine races – including
five at Group level – and at stud has also produced
the Group winners Sanziro and Flying Object
14/12/09 Noble Manor scorching
in Singapore
One of four NZB winners on Friday night at Kranji, Karaka
Premier Sale graduate Noble Manor ran an equal course record
time on the polytrack to win his S$125,000 1000m event in
0:59.00 ahead of Karaka Select Sale graduate, Why Be.

Karaka Premier Sale graduate Noble Manor streaks ahead in
the
Kranji Stakes A on Friday. Photo: Singapore Turf Club
Scorching down the outside of the field, Noble Manor (Stravinsky
x Sarwatch by Jetball) reeled in a gallant Why Be (Success
Express x Charybdis by Royal Academy) to win by one-and-a-half
lengths.
Not only did the race provide a Karaka quinella, but also
one for leading trainer Laurie Laxon who heads into the
last few meetings of the Singapore season the clear leader
of the Trainers' Premiership with 93 winners.
Now the winner of seven, four-year-old Noble Manor is aimed
at the Group 3 Three Rings Trophy (1400m) on 29 January.
Purchased by prominent New Zealand buyer, David Ellis,
at the 2007 Premier Sale for $380,000 from his breeders
Peter and Philip Vela's Pencarrow Stud, Noble Manor's New
Zealand performances included running an unlucky fourth
in the inaugural Karaka Million in January 2008.
His Redoute's Choice half-brother will be offered at the
2010 Karaka Premier Sale at Lot 146 while his half-sister,
Pertinacious (Montjeu), has her first foal, a bay colt by
Keeper, set to go under the hammer at Lot 93.
Bursting onto the scene in 2005 winning his Maiden over
1000 metres, the now seven-year-old Why Be has been a grand
campaigner at Kranji and finished out of the money only
twice in his first 30 starts that included 21 wins. With
over S$2 million to his name he was just a $26,000 purchase
by Bruce Wallace at the 2004 Select Sale from Chequers Stud.
Other NZB winners in Singapore over the weekend included:
Horse Breeding Race Sale, Price Vendor Buyer
Street Ruffian Bertolini x Tip Top Showgirl Maiden 1200m
K3, $16,000 Walnut Hill Farms J & I BLOODSTOCK
What Todo Howbaddouwantit x Sky Mist Initiation 1200m K1,
$80,000 Fairdale Stud MR SB MARSH
Riviera Star Riviera x Evensong Class 4 - 1900m K3, $14,000
Ardsley Stud NZB as agent
Radasca Danroad x Barbados Maiden 1220m RTR, $40,000 Harley
Park NZB as agent
Supremacy Steel Rossini x Lickity Split Class 5 - 1100m
RTR, $20,000 Chesterfields NZB as agent
Fuku Kitaru Ishiguru x Southern Jewel 3YO H - 1200m RTR,
$37,500 Chequers Stud MR SOON HOCK LEE
New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales Series
will take place at Karaka from 1 to 8 February 2010. For
catalogues or travel information, contact reception@nzb.co.nz.
14/12/09 Australian challenge
ends in disaster
CHRIS ROOTS INTERNATIONAL RACE DAY
HONG KONG: Australian hopes were shattered as Hong Kong superstar
Sacred Kingdom confirmed his place at the top of international
rankings with a commanding win in the group 1 Hong Kong Sprint
at Sha Tin yesterday.
As the six-year-old romped to his second success in the
race in three years, Australian contenders Apache Cat and
All Silent finished midfield, with horse of the year Scenic
Blast bleeding and finishing last.
Jockey Damien Oliver quickly jumped off Apache Cat after
the post as the seven-year-old pulled up sore. ''He was
just feeling a leg and I didn't want to take any chances,''
he said. ''I don't think it is life-threatening and I didn't
feel it until after the post.''
All Silent's trainer, Grahame Begg, was left to rue a ''chequered
passage'' as his star was never able to hit top gear and
ran eighth, just behind Apache Cat, as jockey Nick Hall
searched for inside runs.
''It was always going to be difficult,'' Begg said. ''I
told him [Hall] not to be out wide on the turn and he took
short cuts and ran into a chequered passage in the straight.
It hasn't been a good day for Australia with the other two
pulling up with problems, but what can you do?
''My horse is fine and we'll just go home and look for
another race.''
While the Australian horses floundered, expat jockeys Brett
Prebble and Darren Beadman took the quinella in the race.
Prebble, the leading rider in Hong Kong this season, was
supremely confident with Sacred Kingdom ($2.50 fav) and
rode him like a good thing. ''I expected this,'' he said.
''Sometimes when it's unexpected it is a bit more of a buzz,
but I expected [to win] and it all went to plan.''
The race worked out perfectly for Sacred Kingdom, the Australian-bred
son of Encosta De Lago, as he scored a half-length win from
One World ($10) with Joy And Fun ($21) a neck away in third.
Prebble settled Sacred Kingdom fifth as US hope California
Flag was driven mad by Japan's Laurel Guerreiro in front
and coming to the turn he would have been laughing.
''I just had to bide my time,'' he said. ''He's the best
sprinter in the world, as long as he has got one to run
down he is right. When I got off their backs [in the straight]
I thought, 'Just count to 10, count to 10,' then I went
and nothing was going to catch me.''
Sacred Kingdom, which was beaten in the International Sprint
Trial three weeks ago, had overcome legs problems to return
a two-time sprint champion after winning in 2007. ''It is
a great team effort: the vets, me and [trainer] Ricky [Yiu]
put on our thinking caps and we came up with the right result,''
Prebble said.
''I thought after his last start he would take the step
forward and after his last piece of work I thought the only
thing that would beat him was getting there [to the lead]
too soon.''
Earlier, French filly Daryakana remained unbeaten when
she won the Hong Kong Vase, 2400m, at only her fifth start
with a late charge down the centre of the track.
She claimed favourite Spanish Moon on the line to win by
a short head with another French stayer, Kasbah Bliss, only
a neck back in third. Daryakana became the second three-year-old
filly after Vallee Enchantee in 2003 to win the Vase in
its 16-year history and the eighth winner from France.
13/12/09 Australians work
on how to bang gong in Hong Kong
CHRIS ROOTS
THEY billed it as the greatest show on turf but the Hong
Kong International meet is much more than that.
It is an amazing mix of the racing world with horses from
Europe, the United States, Japan and Australia travelling
to take on the locals at Sha Tin today.
It's a coming together, an end-of-year convention, a racing
jamboree.
''It's exciting just to be here,'' Sydney trainer John
O'Shea said.
''I can only hope that I have a horse which is good enough
to come back every year. The buzz when you walk into this
place is amazing.''
O'Shea has Racing To Win in the Hong Kong Mile, one of
four races that have developed into a premier racing event.
Winners from Royal Ascot, Dubai, Melbourne and the Breeders
Cup are among the fields for the Sprint, Mile, Cup and Vase,
which are always the most diverse of the year - the Cup
alone has produced winners from 10 different countries over
its 22 runnings.
The Sprint is the highlight of the afternoon with nine
group 1 winners, three of which were successful at the highest
level at their last starts: All Silent, Total Gallery and
Japan's Laurel Guerreiro. Australia's Scenic Blast and Apache
Cat have also made the trip.
Scenic Blast chases a $US1 million bonus after winning
the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap in Melbourne
earlier this year before taking out the King's Stand at
Royal Ascot.
''It is just exciting to be part of something like [the
bonus],'' Scenic Blast's trainer, Dan Morton, said.
''I'd like to think he's not far off where he was in England,
but having said that he has been up for a long time now
and we have to remember that.''
Apache Cat returns to Sha Tin after running third to Inspiration
and Green Birdie, which are both backing up in the race
this year. However, Patinack Farm Classic winner All Silent
is probably the best hope of an Australian victory, with
the six-year-old in career-best form.
He was simply devastating in Melbourne and has arrived
in similar order. His trainer, Grahame Begg, has already
taken out the Bowl, a forerunner to this day, twice with
Monopolize in 1995 and 1996.
''He is the same as we had him in Melbourne,'' Begg said.
''The barrier [14] doesn't help but he was always going
to get back and we just have to hope for a clear run, so
he can show his best.''
Racing To Win has been the king of the mile in Sydney for
many years with successes in the Doncaster, Epsom and George
Ryder Stakes, but comes to Hong Kong trying to crown his
career as a seven-year-old.
O'Shea believes he has him right for the assignment but
admits he won't know until after this afternoon's race if
he has travelled well.
''All you can do is get them ready the best you can in
Australia and then hope they travel,'' O'Shea said.
''He has arrived a very fit horse but these international
races are about the horse that travels the best and arrives
in a condition to produce their best.''
The best chance of a home-town win is in the Mile. Hong
Kong's horse of the year, Good Ba Ba, is shooting for a
hat-trick in the race.
His main danger is emerging star Happy Zero, which Darren
Beadman will ride for John Moore.
The five-year-old has won both his runs this preparation,
winning the Sprint Trial last start.
''In his two races over 1000m and 1200m this time in, he
has been off the bit but produced explosive finishes in
the last furlong,'' Beadman said. ''At a mile he is the
kind of horse that can take up a position and hopefully
produce the same finish.''
The Beadman-Moore combination also has the favourite for
the Cup in Hong Kong Derby winner Collection. He is also
a last-start winner over the 2000m at Sha Tin.
11/12/09 Honk Kong specials and
preview
IASbet.com's John Hartnett thinks the Hong Kong Sprint will
come down to a battle between the local champion Silent Kingdom
and the trio of Australian raiders in All Silent, Apache Cat
and Scenic Blast. "It looks like the winner will either
come from the Australians or Silent Kingdom," said IASbet.com's
John Hartnett. "Apache Cat looks like very good value
at $9.50. As we've seen at Moonee Valley, he thrives on the
StrathAyr surface with the sting out of the ground and he'll
be hard to beat fresh." IASbet.com has two money-back
specials available to its members for the Hong Kong meeting:
Three Aussie Horses Sprint into a Bar
Back an Aussie horse (All Silent, Scenic Blast or Apache
Cat) in the Hong Kong Sprint to win, and if the horse finishes
second to the IASbet.com Fixed Price Favourite, you get
your money back.
Racing To Win, To Place in the Mile
Back Racing to Win to win the Hong Kong Mile, and if it
finishes second or third you get your money back.
Beadman has that heavenly feeling
again
December 11, 2009
Darren Beadman is not one for rash statements so when he says
Happy Zero reminds him of Saintly, it's worth listening. Craig
Young reports.
Prepared by Australian John Moore, whose Hong Kong stable
has Beadman on retainer, Happy Zero is the trainer's leading
contender for Sunday's rich international meeting at Sha
Tin.
And Moore and Beadman are gearing up for a serious assault.
The trainer has multiple runners in a couple of the four
group 1 races, which carry a prizemoney tally of $HK62 million
($8.83m).
Happy Zero could well be something special. After blowing
rivals away for the seventh time in eight starts, the son
of Danzero had a minor adjustment to his program, with Moore
taking Beadman's advice and opting for Sunday's Hong Kong
Mile instead of the Hong Kong Sprint.
''He is not a mad sprinter,'' Beadman said this week. ''Last
season he was running over 1400 metres and was handling
that well.
''The form just stands up around him every which way. The
way he felt to me the other day and the way he was trialling
leading up to the race, he had the mind of a miler now.
''He jumped like a miler the other day. He was off the
bit until he got into the straight. It was a pretty tidy
effort considering I was half niggling at him to keep him
where he was.''
It was following that scintillating performance to claim
the International Sprint Trial that Beadman made mention
of one of his Melbourne Cup winners.
''I said when I won on him the other day he has got a similar
stride to Saintly,'' he said. ''Not as big size-wise as
Saintly but he has a massive stride, covers a lot of ground.
''When you think what time you have run and then look at
the clock you go, 'Oh'. He is a bit deceiving in that respect,
which is always the sign of a good horse.''
Happy Zero, yet another Australian-bred to dominate in
Hong Kong, is lightly raced when considering the horse is
five years of age. ''He had colic and had to have an operation
on his stomach so he missed a lot of racing,'' Beadman said.
''Then equine influenza hit, he was stuck in Australia,
there was a whole lot of things holding him back from getting
to Hong Kong but once he got here he certainly made his
presence felt.
''He has always been a bit of a quirky horse and didn't
settle in that well when he first arrived.
''He was whipping around, that sort of stuff, his mind
was always going 100 miles per hour, trying to get it over
and done real quick.
''Everything was upside down, we've been trying to get
his mind right and he has really come round.''
Awaiting Happy Zero on Sunday is another local star in
Good Ba Ba, which is out to win the Hong Kong Mile for the
third straight year.
Also in the 1600m race is Sydney's five-time group 1 winner
Racing To Win, which will be ridden by Hugh Bowman. Trainer
John O'Shea opted to take on the mile instead of the 2000m
of the Hong Kong Cup.
''Good Ba Ba is taking on some handy horses,'' Beadman
said. ''Racing To Win, if back near his best, is right in
it. I've ridden against him, I know what type of horse you
need to beat him and I think our bloke is pretty much up
to that.''
Beadman has no doubt the mile is ''much easier'' than the
sprint, in which the Australian trio of All Silent, Scenic
Blast and Apache Cat, which finished third in the race last
year, seem capable of filling the trifecta.
Beadman won the sprint on Moore's galloper Inspiration
last year but has opted to ride stablemate One World this
time around.
''Inspiration had an internal bleed after his last start,''
he said. ''There is a little bit of a question mark over
that, he never did it last year leading into the race.''
Inspiration has galloped to the satisfaction of Moore and
Beadman.
''One World's run was enormous the other day,'' Beadman
said. ''Obviously he is going up a notch, like Inspiration
last year, but One World has been running pretty good sectionals.''
Beadman knows only too well the form surrounding the Australian
three but the jockey makes mention of another local. ''You've
got Sacred Kingdom, who is the reigning world champion sprinter,''
he said.
In the Hong Kong Cup Beadman rides Collection, while the
ride on favoured galloper Viva Pataca awaits in the 2400m
Vase; both are trained by Moore.
''I won the Hong Kong Derby on Collection earlier in the
year,'' he said. ''He has had the two runs this time in
and won over 2000 metres last start, won the Cup Trial convincingly.
He looks to have trained on well since and he has beaten
our [Hong Kong] horses pretty much every time he has gone
round.
''The [rival] horse that has been here and performed is
Presvis.''
Viva Pataca was crowned Hong Kong's champion thoroughbred
last year. ''He has been a really good horse to me,'' Beadman
said. ''He has earned about $10 million Australian in prizemoney.
First-up he probably ran too well. The other day he was
a bit flat but he feels great on the training track, feels
super.''
In summing up, Beadman said: ''I've got a pretty good string.
John [Moore], I think he has 17 runners on the day, he is
loaded up.''
Happy days indeed.
Mixed bag for Aussie sprinters
Hong Kong International Update with Tony Bourke
11 December 2009
There were mixed results for Australia’s three representatives
in Sunday’s $1.8 million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong
International Sprint at today’s barrier draw at Sha
Tin racecourse.
While the connections of Apache Cat (barrier 9) and Scenic
Blast (3) were satisfied, Grahame Begg, trainer of the highly
fancied All Silent, who drew the outside of the field of
14, said he would have preferred a “softer”
draw.
“I know he usually gets back in his races, but now
we have no option and he has never been up against a field
of this calibre before,” Begg said.
Local champion and 2007 winner Sacred Kingdom (7) is the
current favourite at 11/4 with London-based bookmaker William
Hill ahead of All Silent at 7/2.
Scenic Blast, Australia’s reigning Horse of the Year,
has eased slightly from 6/1 to 7/1 and Apache Cat, who was
favourite when he finished third in the race last year,
is an 8/1 chance.
Scenic Blast stands to collect a $US1 million bonus on Sunday
if he can win his third Global Sprint Challenge race of
the season.
Trainer Danny Morton said although Scenic Blast had had
his share of problems in recent months, he believed the
five-year-old was now in as good as shape as when he won
the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) at the Royal
Ascot carnival in June.
“I would have liked to have started him in the Sprint
Trial at Sha Tin a couple of weeks back but it didn’t
really fit in with his preparation,” he said today.
Morton rode Scenic Blast in an easy work-out on the all-weather
track at Sha Tin this morning and said he would have a gallop
on the course proper tomorrow (Friday).
All Silent also worked on the all-weather track while Apache
Cat, ridden by Danielle Ellet, looked a picture of fitness
when he galloped on the course proper this morning.
Trainer Greg Eurell said Apache Cat had freshened up really
well since his last start fourth behind All Silent in the
Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington and he believed the
seven-yearold was in better shape than at this stage last
year.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey
Club, said at the barrier draw that he believed the Hong
Kong Sprint field, which includes nine individual group
1 winners, was the best assembled anywhere in the world
in the past 20 years.
7/12/09 Double for Gray at
Kranji
A winning double for former NZ-trainer Stephen Gray was
completed when the Pins galloper Goldschatz (NZ) took out
the SG3 Proinn Construct Stakes (1700m) on Friday night.
His fifth career win from 26 starts, Goldschatz (NZ) made
it back-to-back victories having previously been successful
over 1600m on the turf back on November 13.
The black-type success also represented Gray’s 46th
individual winner for the season - to which there are just
four race meetings remaining.
Bred by Mrs NM Leicester, Goldschatz (NZ) is one of two
winners to race for the winning Centaine mare Centri Belle,
a daughter of the former New Zealand Filly of the Year Tri
Belle (Sir Tristram).
With not a lot left on the radar for the year, Gray said
he would consider sending Goldschatz (NZ) up to Malaysia
to contest the Penang Gold Cup over 2200m on December 27.
“He stays pretty well and I think he will run the
2200m without any problem,” said Gray.
“It is something I’ll give serious consideration.”
Goldschatz (NZ) which means ‘Gold Chest” in
German, is owned by the German-born Stephan Herzog, a regional
manager for cosmetic brand Estee Lauder, who has banked
S$330,000 courtesy of his NZ-bred gallopers winning efforts
on the track.
Goldschatz (NZ) became the 31st individual stakes winner
for his Waikato Stud sire Pins, who has 45 Yearlings bound
for the Karaka Premier Yearling Sale in 2010
30/11/09 Laxon trains treble
in Singapore
Former New Zealand trainer Laurie Laxon cemented his place
at the top of the Trainers' Premiership table with a winning
NZ-bred treble at Kranji on Saturday.
Kicking the day off with the Align gelding World Famousman
(NZ), Laxon followed up three races later when Nicholson
(NZ) (High Chaparral) took out the Restricted Maiden over
1200m, before Good Daddy (NZ) (Ishiguru) followed suite
in the Novice mile.
Laxon has now prepared 90 winners for the season, 36 more
than his nearest rivals in Don Baertschiger and Michael
Freedman.
Interestingly all three New Zealand-bred/Laxon-trained
winners were purchased at a New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling
Sale.
The four-year-old, World Famousman (NZ) was a NZ$26,000
yearling purchase, Nicholson (NZ) was knocked down for $50,000,
and Good Daddy (NZ) was a $70,000 buy at Karaka in 2008.
With Saturday’s victory under his belt, World Famousman
(NZ) took his prizemoney to around the $70,000 for the Top
Champ Stable
“I’ve had a few of the Align stock over the
years and they have proven good honest horses,” said
Laxon of World Famousman (NZ).
“I wouldn’t mind a few more.”
Laxon’s second winner on the day, Nicholson (NZ) is
by Windsor Park shuttler High Chaparral – the proven
Gr.1 sire of the VRC Derby winner Monaco Consul and the
Gr.1 Cox Plate hero So You Think (NZ).
Nicholson (NZ) has returned around $40,000 for the Oscar
Racing Stable in his two starts to date.
Similarly in honest form, Good Daddy (NZ) has now won two
of his six starts with a further second and three thirds
taking his prizemoney to around the $100,000 mark for Kings
Stable.
Laxon’s treble contributed to a total of nine NZ-bred
winners in Singapore this weekend.
29/11/09 Fastnet Rock colt
stars for Laird
Charles Laird's incredible feature race run with Magic
Millions graduates continued at Turffontein this morning
when Fastnet Rock colt Curved Ball raced to victory in the
Group Two The Dingaans (1600m).
Racing for just the third time, the last start winner dashed
past his stablemate, the previously unbeaten Aussie bred
Galileo's Galaxy in the straight before cruising home.
Bred by Bart Cummings' Princes Farm in partnership with
the Wyllie Group, Curved Ball was purchased by Laird for
$200,000 from the draft of Stud Consultants at last year's
Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
The colt is by Danehill's hot young sire son Fastnet Rock
- a former star sprinter, whose progeny are performing with
great distinction right around the country.
Curved Ball is the first international stakes winner for
Fastnet Rock. His Aussie stars are headlined by the recent
Thousand Guineas winner Irish Lights.
The latest Aussie bred star unearthed in South Africa is
one of two stakes performed produced by his dam, the winning
Zabeel mare Curvaceous.
Curvaceous, a half sister to the Singapore stakes performer
First Touch as well as the dam of Group One winner Grout
(Raider in HK), had previously produced the Millie Fox Stakes
placegetter and twice Sydney winner Swissac.
Earlier on the Turffontein card Laird saddled up the talented
General Nediym filly Generous Anna to a gallant second placing
in the Group Three Fillies Mile (1600m).
27/11/09 Oracy (NZ) star
attraction in SA Grade 1
The unbeaten record of the exciting South African dual Grade
2 winner Oracy (NZ) (Zabeel) is to be put to the litmus
test in the Grade 1 Sansui Summer Cup (2000m) at Turffontein
this Saturday.
Bred by Maroal Services Ltd (Ron and the late Margaret Saunders)
together with Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Oracy (NZ) sealed
his reputation as one of the best three-year-old’s
in South Africa last season with 4 wins coming from as many
outings.
Of these 1450m-1600m wins, the class of the Charles Laird–trained
Zabeel colt was seen to best advantage in November 2008’s
Grade 2 Turffontein Dingaans (1600m) and in February’s
Grade 2 Turffontein Gauteng Guineas (1600m).
Having spelled since this Guineas outing, the $400,000 Cambridge
Stud graduate opened his 4YO account in October, winning
for the 4th time over the 1600m trip.
Billed as the field’s star attraction on Saturday,
Oracy (NZ) is to make his 2000m debut from barrier 5 and
will carry 58kg for owners Mrs I Jooste and MJ Jooste.
Should Oracy (NZ) prove successful, he will represent the
40th individual Gr.1 winner for the superlative Cambridge
Stud, sire Zabeel (NZ).
Zabeel has already enjoyed the limelight in South Africa
courtesy of the 2004 champion 3YO Classic Colt, Greys Inn.
The star colt’s black-type partiality is also recommended
by his pedigree’s bottom line.
Oracy (NZ) is out of Lady Dehere – a Gr.2 winner,
who has already produced the two stakes winners from four
to race in Oracy (NZ) and The Lady (NZ).
26/11/09 Tai Sing Yeh impresses
in Hong Kong debut
Tai Sing Yeh, one of the most admired lots of the 2008
Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale, made a
barnstorming start to his racing career with a win at Happy
Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday night.
Tai Sing Yeh, a son of Arrowfield Stud's exciting young
Redoute's Choice sire Not a Single Doubt, sat just off the
speed in the Hamilton Handicap (1200m) before racing to
the front in the straight.
Under star Hong Kong rider Douglas Whyte, Tai Sing Yeh
raced clear over the concluding stages to beat Danabaa by
a length and three quarters. The rest of the field was another
length back.
Tai Sing Yeh, purchased by his trainer Manfred Man for
$125,000 at the Gold Coast, is one of two winners from the
stakes performed Ashkalani mare Precious Lass.
The unbeaten three-year-old was a successful Yearling Sale
pin hook for Hilton Thoroughbreds who purchased him from
the draft of Oaklands Stud for $17,000 at the Gold Coast
earlier last year.
Magic Millions Managing Director David Chester said the
win was yet another for a graduate of Australia's premier
style racehorse and breeze up style sale.
"The graduates of this sale are performing with great
distinction right around the world and I specially watched
the race tonight from Hong Kong to see Tai Sing Yeh's debut,"
Chester said."We were told at our recent Horses in
Training Sale that he was showing great things in his lead
up gallops and he showed on the track he was a quality performer."
"Let's not forget the Melbourne Cup hero Shocking
is a graduate of the sale along with Macau sprint sensation
Viva Pronto."
Ganbaria made it an early double for Magic Millions graduates
when he cruised home in the Hamilton Class 4 Handicap (1200m).
By Hennessy and from the Danzero mare Doldrums, Ganbaria
was purchased for just $20,000 from the 2004 Magic Millions
Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Now the winner of five races, Ganbaria is a half brother
to the multiple Sydney winner Calm Seas.
23/11/09 Fellowship (NZ)
too good in Cathay Pacific Mile Trial (1600m)

Fellowship (NZ)Gr.1 HK Mile bound
The O’Reilly 7YO Fellowship (NZ) made his competitive
intent known for the world’s richest turf mile race
–the HK$16 mil Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile, last
night.
Haven showcased his wares in the event’s HK-2 precursor,
Fellowship (NZ) heads for the internationally revered meeting
on December 13 with a strong win in the Cathay Pacific Mile
Trial (1600m) under his belt.
Coming from slightly worse than midfield, Fellowship (NZ)
rallied strongly when pulled wide by Zac Purton, drawing
clear in the final stages to score by ¾’s from
the NZ horse Sight Winner (NZ) (Faltaat) and 1 ½
lengths from Good Ba Ba.
Trained by Paul O’Sullivan, Fellowship (NZ) had earlier
franked his black-type worth in the mile trial field with
success in last October’s HK- 3 National Day Cup (1400m).
At the mile, strong runner-up performances were also registered
behind Good Ba Ba and More Bountiful in the HK-1 Stewards
Cup (1600m) and the HK-2 Chairman’s Trophy respectively."He
has been a very honest performer and he has competed at
the top level for a season and a half now but he has often
found one or two too good for him on the big day. Today,
though, he got a nice run under Zac, the pace was good and
he deserved a big win," trainer Paul O'Sullivan reported
to the HKJC. Fellowship (NZ) commenced his racing career
in NZ as Walsburgs Pride, winning two of his three starts
here for trainer Richard Coxon.
Subsequently exported to Hong Kong, Fellowship (NZ) has
since distinguished himself with 5 additional wins and with
HK$10,804,500 in earnings.
Bred by G & Mrs LM Hodel, Fellowship is by the two time
Champion HK sire, O’Reilly and is out of the Danzalion
mare Mystical Flight.
Placed on the racetrack, Mystical Flight (NZ) is a half-sister
to the stakes winner Last Flight and has produced two winners
from four to race.
23/11/09 Kiko's Return (NZ)
wins Mal Gr.1 RM$700,000 Coronation Cup (1600m)
The 2008 Malaysian-Gr.1* Perak Derby (2400m) hero Kiko’s
Return (NZ) (Minardi) was back in the Perak spotlight on
Sunday, racing home for career win number 9 in the Gr.1*
Coronation Cup (1600m).
Prepared by BT Lam, Kiko’s Return (NZ) burst into
Malaysian reckoning in 2007/08, stringing together seven
consecutive wins.
Successful at Malayan Gr.1* level in the Perak Derby, the
Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) and again in Sunday’s Coronation
Cup, Kiko’s Return has silenced his NZ$20,000 2005
NZB Ready to Run Sale purchase with RGT1,735,442 in earnings.
Bred by Mrs M A Brown, Glenmorgan Farm Ltd & Est late
A J Brown, Kiko’s Return (NZ) and is out of the deceased
Amalgam mare Joe's Girl.
An unraced half-sister to the Listed Soliloquy Stakes winner
Leigh Filou (Sky Filou), Joe's Girl (NZ) distinguished herself
in the breeding department with the Gr.2 winning racemare
Rijeka (Sound Reason) and with the additional winners Southern
Man (Personal Escort) and Joe Leigh (Personal Escort).
* Domestic rated
18/11/09 So You Think and
Viewed included in World top 50
The Bart Cummings trained pair of SO YOU THINK and VIEWED
have been included in the list of the World’s best
50 racehorses in the latest release of the World Thoroughbred
Rankings.
SO YOU THINK was rated 122 for his brilliant front running
win in the group 1 Tatts Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Oct
24 and was given the same rating carrying 1.5kg over WFA
when 2nd to ALL AMERICAN in the Emirates Stakes on the final
day of the VRC Carnival.
VIEWED also achieved a rating of 122 for his win under top
weight of 57kg in the BMW Caulfield Cup over 2400m on October
17.
SO YOU THINK and VIEWED join SCENIC BLAST as the highest
rated Australian trained horses on 122 and are ranked equal
17th on the listings.
SCENIC BLAST continues his overseas campaign when he runs
in the Hong Kong Sprint Trial (1200m) at Sha Tin this Sunday,
where he will meet Australian bred Sprinter SACRED KINGDOM
who is also rated 122 in the world listings.
The Mark Kavanagh trained 4yo WHOBEGOTYOU improved his standing
in the listings moving to 120 for his win in the Yalumba
Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield on Oct 10 where he beat HEART
OF DREAMS.
The World listings are again headed by the Irish champion
SEA THE STARS on 135, who has been retired to Stud following
his victory in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp
in October.
15/11/09 Laird charge streets
rivals in Group 2
Eight Street continued the remarkable run of South African
feature race wins for champion trainer Charles Laird with
a thrashing of his rivals in this morning's Group Two Victory
Moon Stakes (1800m) at Turffontein.
Ridden patiently by Anton Marcus, Eight Street settled
off the speed before coming with a brilliant finishing burst
in the home straight.
So quick was he finishing that by the time the post was
reached Eight Street held a two length margin over Rudi
Rocks, while Killaridge was third.
The win was the second at group level for the Aussie bred.
Last season he won the Group Three Clairwood Cup Trial.
He was spelled following that group win and showed he was
on track for this latest feature event when he ran a slashing
first up fifth in stakes company at Turffontein on October
10.
Laird has a number of other Gold Coast sold stars including
Oracy, Dan De Lago and Flying Princess primed for feature
races over the next couple of weeks.
Eight Street is turning into an incredible money spinner
for his connections considering Laird paid just $40,000
for him from the draft of Southern Cross Breeders at the
2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
Despite having purchased horses elsewhere in Australia,
it is the Gold Coast where Laird has purchased all of his
star Aussie breds.
"Charles has an eye for quality and an eye for value
- there's no wonder he loves shopping for yearlings at the
Gold Coast," Magic Millions Managing Director David
Chester said.
"All of his best horses purchased in Australia have
been sold at the Gold Coast - we're delighted such a champion
international horseman can see the same quality we do when
assembling our catalogues."
"I'm looking forward to catching up with Charles and
Nordean and their team when they arrive at the Gold Coast
in January looking for their next star galloper," Chester
added.
While Eight Street was one of the cheapest Laird has signed
for from the Magic Millions it is interesting to note his
most expensive from the Gold Coast ring is a Group One winner.
The win of Eight Street continued the incredible international
run of progeny by star Machiavellian sire Street Cry.
In the past two week's his daughter Zenyatta starred at
the Breeders' Cup, while his star Aussie son Shocking won
the Melbourne Cup.
Eight Street is from a lightly raced mare by Octagonal
who's both runners are winners.
The other, the lightly raced Lion Heart filly French Lion,
is a winner in Victoria this season for top trainer Mark
Kavanagh.
15/11/09 Passion for Gold
wins Group 1
Godolphin star as short as 10-1 for 2010 Derby.
Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation recorded their second
Group 1 victory in the space of a week with a graduate of
the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when PASSION FOR GOLD
raced away to win the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in
France today. The son of MEDAGLIA D'ORO, who was the sale
topper at the 2009 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale at
260,000 guineas, recorded an emphatic six-length victory
under Frankie Dettori and is as short as 10-1 for next year's
Derby at Epsom, behind another Tattersalls graduate in ST
NICHOLAS ABBEY.
The win of PASSION FOR GOLD was the third victory at the
highest level for Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up graduates
in 2009 in what has been a vintage year for the sale. There
have been a remarkable 20 Group/Listed winners from the
sale this year, including Godolphin's Grade 1 Breeders'
Cup Juvenile winner VALE OF YORK and the Group 1 July Cup
winner FLEETING SPIRIT. The Godolphin team also purchased
the Group 2 Flying Childers winner SAND VIXEN at this year's
sale.
By MEDAGLIA D'ORO out of the Grade 2 winning THUNDER GULCH
mare C'EST L'AMOUR, PASSION FOR GOLD was consigned to the
2009 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale by Gay O'Callaghan's
Yeomanstown Stud where he was purchased by agent Richard
O'Gorman on behalf of Godolphin.
The next chance to purchase at Tattersalls comes with the
December Sale comprised of the December Yearling Sale (November
23), December Foal Sale (November 25-28) and the December
Breeding Stock Sale (November 30 – December 3). Catalogues
are out now and available from Tattersalls and Tattersalls
representatives as well as on the Tattersalls website at
www.tattersalls.com.
9/11/09 Ace Aliado (NZ) wins
SG-2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m)

Ace Aliado (NZ) (inside)
The perfect record of the Towkay gelding Ace Aliado (NZ)
added a 7th notch to its belt in the SG2 EW Barker Trophy
(1400m) at Kranji on Sunday.
After receiving the run of the race tucked in behind the
pacemaker, Ace Aliado (NZ) put his seal on the race shortly
after straightening, but was not to have it all his way,
challenged late by stablemate Good Feel.
Winning by 0.2 of a length in a time of 1.20.8, Ace Aliado
(NZ) held strong and shaved a full second off the previous
best time on the outer course of Exchequer and Big Maverick
(NZ).
Full of praise, jockey Saimee Jumaat reported to the Singapore
Turf Club after the win that there would not be a more brave
horse racing in Singapore than Ace Aliado.
“The sky is the limit with this horse,” he said.
“He doesn’t win by much but he certainly knows
how to win”
“He is such a fighter and the way he is racing he
can go onto bigger and better things.”
Thrilled with the efforts of his stable charges, expat trainer,
Laurie Laxon later signalled that the horse would now head
to the spelling paddock.
“He can head-up to the new spelling station here at
Kranji when it finally opens and have a month off before
I can get to work on him again,” Laxon told the STC.
Owned by the Ace & Midas Touch Stable, Ace Aliado (NZ)
has to date achieved S$428,000 with his 7/7 race record
in Singapore.
Bred by Christopher Grace, Ace Aliado (NZ) matches the bloodlines
of the Little Avondale Last Tycoon sire Towkay with the
Dance Floor mare, Waikawa.
Towkay, the sire of some 59.06 % winners-to-runners and
10 stakeswinners, stands for $6,500 this season.
9/11/09 Pronto stars as
Washppol's weeks gets bigger
Five days after the stunning Melbourne Cup success of
Shocking, another graduate of the Washpool Lodge draft at
the 2007 Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale has cruised
home in a major race.
This time it was the Macau sensation Viva Pronto who took
the spoils, thumping a crack field in the HK$1 million Macau
Jockey Club 20th Anniversary Cup (1200m) at Taipa today.
A son of Catcher in the Rye, Viva Pronto was able to make
it win number eight at start 11 as he led home fellow Magic
Millions graduate and reigning Macau Horse of the Year Good
Control.
Despite having to work hard early in the race to cross
from an outside barrier, Viva Pronto was able to corner
quickly and when called upon by rider Louis Corrales he
sprinted magnificently.
At the post Viva Pronto held a three and a half length
margin over Good Control, while former classy Australian
galloper Eclair Fantastic was another three parts of a length
behind in third place.
Viva Pronto ran the 1200 metre journey in a sizzling 1
minute 8.4 seconds.
Viva Pronto was purchased for owner Dr. Stanley Ho and
trainer Gary Moore by renowned New South Wales agent John
Hutchinson from the 2007 Magic Millions National Horses
in Training Sale for $140,000.
The youngster ran the fastest breeze up of all lots in
the auction. He was timed to run 200 metres in a blistering
10.15 seconds.He was expertly prepared by the Thomas family's
Washpool Lodge operation - who successfully pin-hooked him
for $20,000 from the draft of Robyn Wise (as agent) at the
Magic Millions Yearling Sale earlier that year.
Viva Pronto's dam, the 12 time Steel Blade winning mare
Steel Shuffle, is a 100 per cent winner producer.
Her four named foals are all winners - aside from Viva
Pronto her three other winners have been successful over
sprint trips in Australia.
The latest yearling from Steel Shuffle, a colt by Antonius
Pius, is heading to the Gold Coast in January and will be
sold as lot number 888 during the fifth session of the country's
favourite auction.
He is being prepared for the sale by Robyn Wise on behalf
of New South Wales breeder Kirk Elliot.
"He's a really nice colt," Wise reported. "He's
a grey and a very neat youngster."
"He's a short coupled, running style youngster - a
real Magic Millions style yearling," she added.
As well as selling Viva Pronto at the 2007 Magic Millions
National Horses in Training Sale, Washpool Lodge also prepared
Australia's newest pin up stayer Shocking.A member of the
red hot Mark Kavanagh stable, Shocking won two group races
in three days last week including the race that stops the
nation, the Melbourne Cup.
Laurence Eales selected and purchased Shocking for $64,000
from the same sale - at last count the star had earned $3,882,525.
7/11/09 Breeders Cup 2009
This weekend is the biggest weekend for sports betting until
the Superbowl. On Saturday you have a full day of Breeders’
Cup 2009 action from Oak Tree Santa Anita. The Breeders'
Cup Races are recognized as one of the ultimate tests of
a thoroughbred, showcasing horse racing at the highest level
of international competition.
The race ends in royal fashion with the Breeder’s
Cup Classic at 6:45pm EST available to view on ESPN.
Breeders’ Cup 2009 will offer horseplayers plenty
of opportunity for profits. Horseplayers, though, should
try not to get sucked into betting short-priced favorites
that either have no shot or could be vulnerable to a higher-priced
horse.
Just over an hour after the race you have the premier of
a heavyweight bought between Fedor Emelianenko and Brett
Rogers in a mixed martial arts bout. Fedor is a -500 to
+350 favorite in the fight going into Saturday. The fight
is for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Title. The best sports
book is definitely BetUS.com
6/11/09 Singapore Gr.1 glory
up for grabs
SG1 Singapore Gold Cup (2200m)
October’s Singapore Gr.1 Raffles Cup (1800m) winner
Big Maverick (NZ) (O’Reilly) returns for further SG-1
reward on Sunday.
One of 7 Gr.1 NZ horses in the event, the Laurie Laxon-trained
5YO should have no problem getting the trip, however with
a weight toll of 58kg, he will need to draw strongly on
the class that has seen him prevail 8 times from 1200-1800m.
Plenty of attention will also mark the first start for the
former Malaysian based NZ-bred New Kuala Dipang (NZ) (Faltaat)
in the event.
A proven commodity at the distance, New Kuala Dipang (NZ)
won the 2007 Listed Yang di Pertua Negeri Gold Cup (2200m).
Now aged 8, New Kuala Dipang (NZ) has won 6 starts from
1200-2200m.
New Zealand’s remaining contingent comprises...
Big Valour (NZ) (Faltaat): 7YO winner of 6 starts from 1400m-1800m
Waipapa (NZ) (Align): 4YO winner of 4 starts from 1200m-1600m
Imperial Green (NZ) (Senor Pete): 5YO winner of 5 starts
from 1200-1800m
Win In (NZ) (Drama Critic):5YO winner of 5 starts from 1600m-1800m.
Royal Star (NZ) (Danske): 6YO winner of 4 starts from 1200-1600m.
SG2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m)
The perfect 6/6 record of the Towkay 4YO Ace Aliado (NZ)
will be put to the test in the SG2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m)
this Sunday.
Having what will be his first black-type attempt, Ace Aliado
(NZ) strikes a formidable foe in the shape of the fellow
NZ bred galloper Waikato (NZ) (Pins), who recently took
out the Listed Kranji Mile.
Other NZ horses looking to add to their Singapore records
comprise of the inform Good Feel (Hunza Court), the regally
bred Noble Manor, Sunday’s dual accepted Singapore
Gold Cup nominee Royal Star (NZ) (Danske) and Huat Chai
(NZ) (D’Cash) the winner of February’s Listed
Three Rings Trophy (1400m).
2/11/09 Five-straight for
Laxon-trained filly
Class New Zealand-bred filly Mexican Rose (NZ) (Volksraad)
maintained her unbeaten record in Singapore on Friday, giving
her older rivals a galloping lesson in the $125,000 Kranji
Stakes A over 1200m.
The Laurie Laxon-trained three-year-old has now graced the
starter in Singapore on five occasions, registering five
victories, including success in the SG3 Juvenile Championship
in July.
Formerly trained in New Zealand by Bruce Wallace, Mexican
Rose (NZ) was exported to Singapore as the winner of two
of her three starts, her only defeat coming in the NZ$1,000,000
Karaka Millions back in January.
Laxon said it was his intention to give Mexican Rose (NZ)
a spell, with future race plans possibly including the Singapore
Sprint series.
“A break would do her the world of good. She can then
come back to racing next year and we would look at the Sprint
Series with her, ending with the KrisFlyer (International
Sprint) in May” said Laxon to the STC.
Laxon said for a three-year-old filly to remain unbeaten
against quality opposition puts her among the class performers
racing in Singapore.
“In my time here in Singapore I haven’t seen
a three-year-old filly come up here and do what she has,”
said Laxon.
Laxon secured the talented daughter of Volksraad from the
Chesterfields draft at the 2008 Select Yearling Sale for
$85,000.
Bred by Carolyn and Mark Todd, & Watership Down Stud
of Rangiora, Mexican Rose (NZ) made this outlay a distant
memory with Friday’s effort, with the net effect of
this outing taking her earnings to approximately NZ$330,000.
27/10/09 Black Mamba (NZ)
strikes more US Success in Listed Dowager Stakes (2400m)
New Zealand’s US Grade 1 winner, Black Mamba (NZ)
(Black Minnaloushe) returned to the stakes fold in a most
timely fashion on Sunday.In what could potentially have
been her last start, Black Mamba (NZ) strode to victory
in the Listed Dowager Stakes (3YO+F&M, 2400m), ultimately
winning with 1 1/2 lengths to spare.
As reported by ThoroughbredTimes.com, the six-year-old
Black Minnaloushe mare is to be offered as a broodmare or
racing prospect at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky selected November
mixed sale on November 10.
Sure to be an attractive proposition, the John Sadler-trained
mare will enter the ring with a career record reading US$980,763
in earnings from seven wins and 11 placings (30 starts).
Shining brightly amongst these wins is her victory in last
Augusts Grade 1 John C. Mabee Handicap (1800m).
Additional black-type print will also be included thanks
to the classy mare’s two dominant outings in the Gr.2
Hollywood Beverly Hills Hcp (2000m), and with her Listed
wins in the Del Mar CTT and thoroughbred Owners of California
Hcp (2200m) and the Dowager Stakes (1400m).
Bred by Hawke's Bay businessman Sam Kelt and Sue Foote
of Keltern Stud, Black Mamba (NZ) combines the bloodlines
of Black Minnaloushe with the stakes winning Grosvenor mare
Sneetch – a super broodmare who could well increase
Black Mamba’s sale ring value with the intended Melbourne
Cup outing of her Gr.1 AJC Derby winning grandson, Roman
Emperor (Montjeu)
Black Mamba (NZ) was initially sold as a yearling by Trelawney
Stud at the Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$120,000 and after
10 starts in New Zealand was later sold to Doubledown Stables.
25/10/09 Taverner's star quality
on show again
Taverner confirmed his status as one of Hong Kong's brightest
prospects by making it two brilliant wins from as many starts
at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon.
An Australian bred son of Flying Spur, Taverner sat on
the speed throughout before bursting clear about a furlong
from home and recording an outstanding win in the HK$850,000
Hsin Chong Construction Handicap (1000m).
The David Hall trained excitement machine was sent out
the hot favourite after romping home in his debut run at
the track on September 20.
With Brett Prebble aboard, the four-year-old stopped the
clock in a slick 56.23 lengths.
While runner-up Shy Baldy tried hard over the concluding
stages he was no match for Taverner, who boasted a two and
a quarter length margin on the line.
Taverner was selected and purchased from the draft of Palmaday
Stud by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. He cost $170,000 at the
2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
He was then snapped up by owner Sidney Chui at the Hong
Kong International Sale.
Taverner looms as another top prospect for Danehill's Golden
Slipper winning son Flying Spur.
The Arrowfield Stud based star, who was the Champion Australian
Sire of the 2006-07 season, is best known in Hong Kong through
the exploits of his star sprinting son Inspiration.Taverner
is the first runner for his dam Atom Angel, a four time
New Zealand winning daughter of leading broodmare sire Defensive
Play.
Atom Angel, who won races from 1400 to 2200 metres, is
a daughter of the group performed Grosvenor mare Sky Angel.
Sky Angel in turn is a half sister to two group winners
- Just a Dream and Forfar. It is also the family of the
Group One winner Imperial Angel.
It was an early double on the Sha Tin card for Magic Millions
graduates following the win of My Melody in the HK$485,000
Mission Hills Group Handicap (1200m).
Under Douglas Whyte the son of Universal Prince won by
a length and a quarter.
From the Danehill-Sunline mare Song of Songs, My Melody
was purchased for just $37,500 at the 2006 Magic Millions
Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
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