The intention had been to bow out with Joy And Fun at Meydan after the Al Quoz Sprint on March 30, but trainer Derek Cruz said yesterday other options remained on the table after the tungsten-tough eight-year-old grabbed his first Group One victory in the Chairman's Sprint Prize.

Group One placed several times, including two Hong Kong Sprints, Joy And Fun was given a brilliant ride by Brett Doyle to turn the tables on Lucky Nine and have his name where it belongs on the Group One winners' list - and his trainer was no longer calling time.

"He's done so well for us and is still doing so well, we will take him step by step," said Cruz. "Dubai was always the plan for him next, back to where he won the Al Quoz two years ago, but I think every option after that is still on the table. We could even look at taking him back to England in June, that is one option. He was going to run very well in the Golden Jubilee Stakes there two years ago at the time when he got injured and Brett eased him out of the race, so it is still an option to go back again."

The son of Cullen would certainly be an underdog if he were to head there for a match up with Australia's Black Caviar in what has been renamed the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, but then he has always done well as an underdog.

Joy And Fun has survived two potentially career-ending injuries, the latest when he fractured a cannon bone at Ascot, and his form went missing when he returned for five races during last season.

"But he was always going to need time after what was a very serious injury. I think my sons, Trevor and Martin, can take a lot of credit for us getting Joy And Fun back to form this season," Cruz said. "They put a lot of time into nursing him back to racing soundness again after that injury."

Doyle said he had gone into the feature with some doubts about Joy And Fun.

"He had a couple of tough runs just missing out in the international and then up the straight last time and then when the wide draw came out, I thought we would need everything to go right, but it did," he said. "If anyone deserves to win a Group One it's Joy And Fun."

Yesterday's finish reversed the Hong Kong Sprint conclusion, with Lucky Nine (Brett Prebble) having to settle for the runner-up spot and consistent Sunny King grabbed third.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearlings Sales showed the increase growth in MWB. We were active in three sessions, purchases included:

• Lot 48 Darci Brahma x An Lass $70,000
• Lot 82 O'Reilly x Beyond the Sunset $150,000
• Lot 224 Savabeel x Go our Dana $170,000
• Lot 225 Savabeel x Grande Ballare $65,000
• Lot 252 High Chaparral x Irlanda $135,000
• Lot 314 Stravinsky x Marquise $675,000
• Lot 363 Darci Brahma x Pavan $155,000
• Lot 398 Pins x Reputedly $175,000
• Lot 406 Henrythenavigator x Romanee St Vivant $175,000
• Lot 417 Not A Single Doubt x Sandy Desert $120,000
• Lot 503 O'Reilly x Trica Ann $190,000
• Lot 747 Falkirk x French Kiss $20,000
• Lot 1071 Sir Percy x Special Jade $82,500
• Lot 1076 Thorn Park x Springtime Sunray $5,000
• Lot 1373 Any Suggestion x Pocket Edition $21,000
• Lot 1294 Elusive City x La Chamane $30,000
• Lot 1325 Bachelor Duke x Mylord a Lady $25,000

We were also represented by 2 of the top 4 Pinhooks for the sale. A Fastnet Rock colt purchased for $130,000 was resold for $320,000 and a Magic Albert purchased for $71,000 made $220,000. Both offered by highly successful Cambridge operation, Ascot Farm.

The 2012 $1 million Restricted Listed Karaka Million (1200m) - New Zealand's richest race - celebrated its fifth running at Ellerslie last night and was impressively taken out by the Australian trained - New Zealand bred Ockham's Razor (NZ).

Trained by Anthony Freedman and ridden by top Australian jockey Craig Williams, Ockham's Razor (Any Suggestion x Shadow Ray) put in a superb performance in the million dollar event. Drawing wide Williams was forced to ride the well backed colt at the tail of the field with plenty of pace on at the front of the pack.

The widest runner on the turn and many lengths behind the leaders, the challenge looked to be coming from up front with a wall of horses mounting their million dollar bid. But Ockham's Razor and Craig Williams were simply dominant on the outside, with the colt producing a strong and maintained turn-of-foot to race clear in the final stages to win by half-a-length. For a two-year-old that had only had one start coming into the Karaka Million, a race well documented to test even the most experienced two-year-olds, his performance was outstanding.

Trainer Anthony Freedman, who travelled to Auckland for the race, was delighted with the result.

"That was very good to win like that, he may be better than we thought," commented Freedman.

"We came to the Karaka Sales last year and purchased this horse with the Karaka Million in mind. It's a race we have been focused on for some time so to come over and win it is fantastic."

A true trans-Tasman result, the New Zealand bred Ockham's Razor is the second Australian trained two-year-old to win the Karaka Million with the Liam Birchley trained Sister Havana winning in 2010.Bred by John Thompson and Katsumi Yoshida, Ockham's Razor was purchased by Freedman Brothers with Justin Bahen and Michael Wallace Bloodstock from Rich Hill Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2011 Karaka Premier Sale for $170,000.

Raced by Australian Bloodstock, Mr J A Shaw, Mr C D Renshaw, Mr J P Hunter, Atkinson-Kaljo Racing, Donnelly Strohfeldt, Rodgers Goldman, Dr A C Matthews, Razor and Blackjack Bobcat, the colt now boasts earnings of over $550,000 from just two starts.

A massive result for first season sire Any Suggestion, only he and General Nediym had two horses in the race. Standing at Rich Hill Stud, John and Colleen Thompson's operation had a weekend to remember with Say No More winning the Group 1 Thorndon Mile on Saturday for her sire Pentire, who also stands at Rich Hill Stud, and last night's victory in the Karaka Million.

Bangalore Bullet (Hussonet) confirmed his southern three-year-old supremacy with a dominant performance to win the Listed Dunedin Guineas.

The Shane Kennedy-trained colt had claimed the Listed Gore Guineas at his previous appearance and will now step up to 1600 metres at his next appearance in the Listed Southland Guineas at Ascot Park on February 18.

“He only really got going the last bit so the mile looks ideal for him now,” the Riccarton horseman said. “He’s always given us the impression he’ll run it and maybe a bit further.

“Physically he’s still got to strengthen up, but he’s a lovely colt with a perfect temperament.”

A half-brother to Listed Gimcrack Stakes winner Spurcent (Flying Spur), Bangalore Bullet was bred by Mark Treweek, of Lyndhurst Farm, and is raced by Kennedy and Louis Vieceli with Greg Tomlinson’s Nearco Stud. Cambridge Bloodstock Agent Michael Wallace purchased Bangalore bullet for just $50,000 from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Additionally, Bangalore Bullet is a brother to the John Size’ undefeated Hong Kong galloper Glorious Days.

The successful rider was Shannon Doyle whose association with the colt has given a major boost to his riding profile.

“It was a stroke of luck really that Shane rang me before the last Guineas race,” Doyle said. “I think he’d tried a few riders and I was toward the bottom of the list so I’ve been really fortunate.

“I’ve been working pretty hard to get my weight down and I rode 55kg at Wellington two weeks ago.”

Bangalore Bullet settled back of midfield and showed an impressive turn of foot when he was in the clear to charge past the filly Orutan (NZ) (Pins) with Natuzzi (NZ) (Coats Choice) hitting the line strongly for third.

“To be honest I got a bit further back than I wanted and then got a lovely rails run,” Doyle said.

“When I pushed out and found daylight he grew wings and really finished it off. He’s one handy horse who is definitely going places.

The Kennedy stable enjoyed a lucrative day at Wingatui with Bangalore Bullet’s barn-mate Keep The Conflict (NZ) (Keeper) also successful.

The five-year-old, who was bred by trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson and J. Woo, has now won eight of his 36 starts with a further 18 placings to his credit.

Cambridge bloodstock agent Michael Wallace raised the ante after a busy first day to sign for the top priced filly in early second day action at the Karaka sales venue.

Fighting off stern opposition through a cell-phone link to an unnamed Sydney buyer, Wallace went to $675,000 to secure Lot 314, Cambridge Stud’s Stravinsky filly from the Group One winner and producer Marquise.

That sale followed just two lots after Wentwood Grange had found $420,000 for a filly from the same branch of the Eight Carat filly, by O’Reilly from Marquise’s daughter Markisa. Marquise, by Gold And Ivory from the legendary Eight Carat, won the Gr. 1 Captain Cook Stakes and her progeny include he Sydney Group One winner Shower Of Roses.

“It’s a family that everyone wants to get into and she was a lovely individual,” Wallace said. “It’s not often that you get the chance and we had to go a little bit over budget, but fillies like this only come along once in a lifetime and sometimes you have to push the boat out.

“This was one of those occasions.”

Wallace, who described the filly’s buyer as a “breeder fascinated with pedigrees”, added that no firm plans had been made as to who would train the filly.

At yesterday’s opening session Wallace signed for five lots ranging in price from $65,000 to $170,000, all of them in association with the Freedman brothers. On Sunday night the same combination had celebrated the Karaka Million win by Ockham’s Razor, the Any Suggestion colt they had secured for $170,000 from last year’s Premier catalogue.

“We’ve had a bit of luck,” Wallace said modestly. “It’s been good working with Lee and Anthony and it was a good result for them.”

Taking a wider view of the National Yearling Sale thus far, Wallace felt that the global economic climate was reflected in the market.

“It’s possibly a littler softer than I thought it would be,” he commented. “Realistically it’s the way of the world at the moment and we’re no different here.”

As the host of international bloodstock agents continue to do their rounds of the Karaka sale grounds, none can be more satisfied with his results from the past couple of weeks than Cambridge-based Michael Wallace.

Born and bred into the industry through his family’s Ardsley Stud in the Wairarapa, Michael Wallace Bloodstock has been running in red-hot form through the first month ofg 2012.

On Saturday the three-year-old Hussonet colt Bangalore Bullet – a A$50,000 purchase by Wallace – won the Listed Gore Guineas for trainer Shane Kennedy, while later on in the day on the other side of the Tasman the A$170,000 purchase First Command was successful in the Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington.

Throw into the mix a neck second placing by international star Joy And Fun in the HK-1 HKJC Centenary Sprint Cup, and it’s has been a highly successful past couple of weeks for the young bloodstock agent.

“Obviously it takes time to build a business, especially in our field where results are all important,” says Wallace. “We have gradually received more opportunities to buy the horses we like and this is now showing itself in top results on the track.”

The results also include the purchase of the rising Singapore star Super Easy. Wallace, along with trainer Michael Freedman, purchased the Darci Brahma colt for $140,000 from the Esker Lodge draft at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale.

He was initially trained in New Zealand from the stable of John Sargent when he had a win and a second before finishing fourth in the Karaka Million. Super Easy has been a revelation since his transfer to Freedman’s Singapore stable, winning all five of his starts to date.

His run of form was capped by a comfortable win against the older horses in the Sgp-2 EW Barker Trophy when stepping up to stakes company for the first time in November.

After the win Freedman labelled Super Easy as a horse capable of ‘showcasing to the world’, and with the colt already back on the trials scene in Singapore, we may not have to wait too long before Singapore’s most exciting young galloper is back on the racetrack.

Meanwhile Wallace continues the hunt for his next star at Karaka 2012. “We have done a huge amount of work on the sale already and always look forward to the opportunity to find someone their next top horse,” he said.

Credit: Gus Wigley, The Informant

Maranello (Saimee Jumaat) scores an easy win on Sunday.

Freedman paid $140,000 for Super Easy when he bought him out of the Esker Lodge draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Premier Sale in 2010. Initially Super Easy stayed in New Zealand, in the care of Matamata trainer John Sargent, and, after a winning debut at Trentham, was beaten a nose by Anabandana in the Eclipse Stakes before a close and unlucky fourth in the Karaka Million.

Young Kiwi bloodstock agent Michael Wallace has had a close association with the Michael Freedman operation for some time now.

Michael went to university to gain a degree in finance, with the idea of a career in the stock markets. “But ultimately I decided I didn't want to be behind a desk working for someone else. I headed back towards racing and, with my background in thoroughbreds; the life of a bloodstock agent seemed a logical way to go.”

Credit NZTM

Esker Lodge's Tom and Shelly Murtagh rode the coat-tails of stallion Fastnet Rock's success when they sold at yesterday's Ready To Run Sale of two-year-old's top-priced lot at Karaka yesterday.

The Murtaghs set a Ready To Sale record of $450,000 for a filly as they landed the sale's top spot for the third time.
The Cambridge couple bought the filly, out of Centaine mare Shimo Star, at last year's Australian Weanling and Breeding Stock Sale in Sydney for A$140,000 through bloodstock agent Michael Wallace.

Approached by the filly's underbidder Jen Fowler after the sale, the Murtaghs accepted her offer to buy a half share and put her through the yearling sales at Karaka earlier this year, only for her to fall short of their $200,000 reserve.
However, they more than recouped their investment yesterday when Hong Kong-based bloodstock agent Justin Bahen secured the filly for his Melbourne owner Phil Sly, a part-owner of the nine-length Victoria Oaks-winning Fastnet Rock filly Mosheen.

Bahen outbid Tirau's Gary Harding to secure the filly.

"I thought she'd make $250,000 to $300,000 but that was great," Tom Murtagh said last night.

"That's the third time we've sold a Ready To Run horse for more than $400,000 and the guy who bought her wasn't stopping. He was going to get her no matter what it cost. But without Gary Harding pushing him up, we wouldn't have got anywhere near that much and we're very grateful for his interest."

Esker Lodge prepared 2005 sale topper Special Dragon (Zabeel-Foreign Copy colt) which sold for $420,000, and 2008 sale topper King Raedwald (Red Ransom-Lady Circles colt), which made $400,000.

Sly couldn't speak highly enough of his new purchase.

"She's a stunner," he said.

"She literally ticks all the boxes. There are 11 boxes to tick on my list and she ticks all of them. She breezed up beautifully and was very relaxed, she's a real lady. She is the reason I am at the sale however I have made another purchase from Esker Lodge as well. They have done a great job of the preparation."

THE carnival may be over but for star apprentice Jake Noonan the coming summer "off-season" promises to be the starting point to reignite his career.

Noonan's win in the Rockwell Automation Handicap on Rescue Mission at Moonee Valley was his first city win since he won on Rusticated at Flemington on May 7 - the same day his career was in jeopardy after a serious race fall.

Unconscious for five minutes, Noonan spent months in rehabilitation and has found winners elusive since returning to riding last month.

Last season, Noonan 18, finished equal fifth on the Melbourne jockeys' premiership with 37 winners.

Noonan said yesterday's riding weight of 53kg was 2kg heavier than before his Flemington fall and he was content to stay at that level.

"I kept fit with gym work but I'm not promising anything," he said about reducing his riding weight.

 Noonan had to be prompted towards the weigh-out area and for his post-race interview with Bruce Clark after scoring on Rescue Mission.

"It's been a while since I've been here," he quipped.

Trainer Anthony Freedman switched Rescue Mission ($6) back from 1200m to 1000m and the $240,000 Michael Wallace Bloodstock Karaka purchased yearling responded by racing outside leader The Confectioner ($6) and taking charge on the turn to score by 1 1/2 lengths.

"I planned to take a sit, but he jumped so well I elected to go forward," Noonan said.

Trade gathered momentum throughout the day at the opening session of New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs at Karaka, to post increases on last year's results right across the board.

With impressive depth to this year's buying bench, a broad spread of buyers competed for the 180 catalogued lots on offer.

At the completion of Day One of the two-day Sale, 107 horses have been sold at an average price of $62,036 and turnover of $6,723,500.

With the average currently 15% ahead of the same point in the Sale last year, turnover is also up over $1.5m. The Sale median is up 19% to $38,000 from last year's final median of $32,000, and the day's clearance rate of 72% is well ahead of last year's final clearance of 59%.

Lot 146 topped day 1 of the Ready to Run Sale

The day was highlighted by the Darci Brahma gelding at Lot 146 fetching $320,000 to the bid of Singapore-based trainer Michael Freedman and local agent Michael Wallace, for Singapore owners Joy N Happiness stable.

The Joy N Happiness partnership is currently enjoying enormous success with its Darci Brahma colt Super Easy who is now a winner of six in a row. Super Easy was purchased by Freedman as a yearling at Karaka.

"This horse genuinely reminded me of Super Easy 12 months ago," commented Freedman.

"In my opinion he was the pick of the Sale. I liked the way he breezed up, and the guys that own Super Easy also loved the look of him, so we're very happy.

"He will stay in New Zealand at Henley Park for the next six to eight weeks before we take him up to Singapore."

From the winning Gold Brose mare Golden Dawn, the gelding was pinhooked from the Karaka Premier Sale as a yearling for $60,000 by Curraghmore Stud principal Gordon Cunningham.

"He breezed very well and was exceptionally popular on the sale grounds, and he's been bought by people who've had great success with Darci Brahma," remarked Cunningham.

"The level of inspection been very good today at Karaka. There are lots of people here from overseas and it seems that if you have the right horses there are plenty of people here to buy them."

Freedman also combined with MWB to purchase lots 16 and 162 by Show A Heart and Testa Rossa repectively for $125,000 and $130,000.

Jockey Joao Moreira receives his trophy from Mr Brandon Barker.

 Credit: Craig Brennan STC

Super Easy (Joao Moreira) wins the EW Barker Trophy on Friday night.

From Karaka 2010: Adian Rodley

Singapore's Jayven See yesterday outlayed a cool $1 million on his ''hobby'' on the opening day of the National Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka yesterday.

See, a retired businessman, paid the day's high price for a Fastnet Rock colt out of Popsy from the draft of Cambridge's Esker Lodge.

A relative newcomer who only bought his first horse five years ago, See owns more than 40 horses but had never spent more than $350,000 on a horse before yesterday.

He did not set himself a price limit for the horse but afterwards admitted the colt had cost him ''a little bit more than I expected''.

The underbidder included Cambridge bloodstock agent Michael Wallace who bowed out at $975,000.

''He was outstanding - one of the best colts I've seen in the sale and with a pretty good pedigree,'' See said.

See said the colt would return to Esker Lodge and would probably remain in New Zealand to be trained.

''I leave all my horses with Esker. I've bought good horses from them and I've been happy with the results,'' he said.

See has horses trained in New Zealand with Matamata's Mark Walker and Pukekohe's Don Dwyer, while he has other horses trained in Singapore, Japan, Ireland and Australia.

He rated his best horse as Revolte, the winner of the Singapore Guineas and Stewards Cup, having bought the horse at the 2007 Ready To Run Sale of two-year-olds at Karaka for $140,000 out of the Esker Lodge draft.

Esker Lodge's Shelly Murtagh revealed the colt's reserve was $800,000 and she was delighted for owner Sam Kelt that he had sold so well.

''I thought he was worth that but some people were saying he might not make it so it's very exciting,'' she said.

It was the third time Esker Lodge had sold a million dollar yearling, having sold a Zabeel-Foreign Copy colt for $1.5 million in 2000 and a Redoute's Choice-Popsy colt for $1.45 million to Sargent in 2008.
That colt is now Maciano, a race-winning three-year-old regarded as a New Zealand Derby prospect.

Sir Tristram mare Popsy won the Gr I New Zealand Derby and Gr I Championship Stakes among her six wins and has left eight foals to race for seven winners, including Listed winner Lilakyn.

Wallace would not reveal who he was bidding on behalf of but said it was the highest price he had ever gone to.

''Horses like him don't come around too often,'' he said.

Note: I am lucky to know the successful buyer Jayven See, he is a wonderful supporter of his horses and we were so pleased to see his success with this Colt, who now races at Rock n Pop and won the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas on Saturday

It’s a long way to the Group I NZ Derby at Ellerslie,but Cambridge three-year-old Carrick took a positive step towards the 2400-metre classic in March when winning impressively at Te Teko today.

Carrick made his debut in the Just Energy Sprint (1200m) and what he did stamped him as a horse who could work through the grades in fine style this campaign. A son of the versatile sire Shinko King,Carrick has shown promise in two leadup trials for Cambridge trainers,Tony Pike and Mark Donoghue,
winning a juvenile 850-metre heat at Te Awamutu last May then finishing third in a 700-metre Paeroa trial last month.

Pike said he was unsure about kicking Carrick’s campaign off at the Te Teko meeting,especially over 1200 metres,but after watching his horse perform he is glad he opted to go to the course,which was downgraded from dead to firm before his race.

Carrick had impressed rider Leith Innes in his two trials,so much so that he made the trip down to Te Teko from South Auckland to take the ride. And Carrick lived to up expectations,coming from off the pace with a strong finish to win by two and a quarter lengths from the pacemaker One Hipp Chick, who is trained at Cambridge by Shaune Ritchie and was ridden by Cambridge apprentice Alex Forbes.

“He’s got plenty of scope about him and I like him a lot,” said Innes. “He won it well and he should go on with it.”

Pike was expecting a winning effort from Carrick after the horse’s recent Paeroa trial. “Leith hauled him back at the start to teach him a bit and he flew home,” said Pike. “Anyone that saw that trial would have been on him today.”

Carrick got off balance a shade coming round the home turn today,but when balanced was always going to win.

Pike prepares Carrick for Lynton Ltd,a company of which he is a member as well as his parents Wayne and Vicki Pike,who were also on hand for the win.

“I bought him privately from Henk Smit,who stands Shinko King (at Paxton Park),” said Pike. “Michael Wallace picked him out and told me about him and another horse. I bought them both as weanlings and the other one won a trial by six lengths and we’ve sold him to Hong Kong.”

Pike is unsure what to do next with Carrick.”I want to get him to the Derby and I’ve got to give him a spell somewhere along the line,” said Pike. “I might put him out now and then he can come back and go straight through.”

Pike already knows what is needed to get to the New Zealand Derby as he prepared Historian to finish second to Jimmy Choux in last year’s classic.

Historian didn’t start racing until November 2 as a three-year-old when second at Awapuni and he won his next two starts at Ellerslie before finishing second to smart filly Banchee over 1600,also at Ellerslie.

Pike and Donoghue then stepped him up to the Group III Waikato Guineas and the result was a third to Jimmy Choux,after which he was fourth to Icepin in the Group II Avondale Guineas,his final leadup to the Derby.

“This horse has already been up for a long time and it was a bit different with Historian,” said Pike. Credit Wally O'Hearn www.cambridgejockeyclub.co.nz

Trainer Michael Freedman’s exciting sprinter Super Easy continues to answer everything thrown at him by bagging his fourth win in as many starts on Sunday.

Settled in third behind two of his most dangerous rivals, Northern Lion (Shafiq Rusof) and Argy Bargy (Barend Vorster), Super Easy ($7) quickly put the issue beyond doubt once he was angled out for his run at the top of the straight.

The highly promising Michael Freedman galloper, Distinction, capped of another good weekends racing for his Kranji conditioner.

Sent of as favorite in the Panasonic Novice Stakes after his previous starts, Distinction was settled just off the speed by jockey, Vlad Duric.

Allowed to stride at the top of the straight, the son of Brilliance, extended away in great style to record a 3L victory over the 1400m.

Purchased by his trainer with Michael Wallace Bloodstock at the NZB Ready to Run Sale for $65,000, Distinction now posts 2 wins and 2 unlucky placings from his 4 starts and $88,000 in prizemoney for the Mummify Stable.

Leading South Island trainer Shane Kennedy sent out an exciting prospect in Show the Cash in the Blair Edie 1200m at Waimate.

Stakes placed as a 2yo, Show the Cash resumed his 3yo career with a very good second behind stablemate, Bangalore Bullet. Improved for the run Show the Cash jumped well for jockey David Walsh to sit just behind the leaders. Allowed to stride at the 400m, Show the Cash, sprinted and lengthened with the look of a good horse to run out a soft 3 length winner in 1.10, which is considered good time on the turning track.

Purchased by Michael Wallace Bloodstock with trainer Shane Kennedy at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale for $58,000, Show the Cash is another product of the up and coming sire Al Samer (pictured). Show the Cash is raced by the successful partnership of Greg Tomlinson's Nearco Stud, Louis Vieceli and Shane Kennedy.

Given his performance we will no doubt see Show the Cash compete in the up coming 3yo features with some of the 1600-2400m races firmly in mind.

Progressive Stratum galloper, Above Stratum, showed he has come back this preperation in fine condition, when running away with the ITM 1200 by 3L at Taranaki on Sunday.

Above Startum who is owned and trained by Taranaki conditioner, Warren Bolton, jumped well to sit just off the speed. Approaching the turn jockey, Chad Ormsby, allowed Above Stratum to move out three deep in challenge. Given a slap with the stick, Above Stratum quickened away for a dominant win. On this effort Warren Bolton should justify his comments that he believes he is an open class sprinter.

Purchased at the 2009 Inglis Mebourne Premier Sale by MWB for just Au$15,000 from the draft of Widden Stud, Above Stratum (pictured as yearling) is proving to be a fantastic purchase.

Rescue Mission became Darci Brahma’s ninth individual winner over the last six weeks, scoring convincingly in yesterdays $15,000 maiden 1200m at Ballarat.

The Spring Has Sprung 3yo 1200m at Canturbury, might well provide a solid form guide leading into the upcoming 3yo Black Type races and some excitement for Riccarton trainer Shane Kennedy.

Kennedy lined up two promising 3yos in Bangalore Bullet and Show the Cash, who had both come into the race with solid form lines. Bagalore Bulet performed well as a 2yo with form behind Stakes Winners Bespoke and Estrato, while Show the Cash gained a Stakes Placing as a late 2yo.

Stepping out at three, the Champagne Stables runners were left to fight out the finish, with Bagalore Bullet showing a great turn of foot from the 200m to score well from his stablemate, with a further 3L back to the third runner.

Bangalore Bullet, by Hussonet (pictured) was a $50,000 MWB purchase at Sydney Easter from Lyndhurst Farm, while Show the Cash was a $58,000 Kennedy/MWB purchase from Melbourne Premier. Both horses run for the same connections in Greg Tomlinson's, Nearco Stud with Shane Kennedy and Louis Vieceli.

Improving youngster Winontop upset favourite backers when he took out the $65,000 Novice Stakes over 1200m on the Polytrack on Friday night.

 Riding the speed throughout, Winontop, ridden by Ronnie Stewart, scored by a nose over Ip Man (Oscar Chavez) with Golden Tree (Vlad Duric) three-and-a-half lengths away in third spot.

 The victory brought up a winning double for lightweight jockey Ronnie Stewart and was a welcome change of luck in photo finishes for trainer Michael Freedman.

“We had one go our way for a change,” joked Freedman after the race.

 “But he put his head down and luckily got the stride in.

On turning for home Stewart took Winontop to the front where he kicked clear before Chavez issued his challenge.

In a head-and-head struggle over the final 150m of the contest, Winontop and Ip Man slugged it out with both gallopers looking the winner at various stages.

“To be honest I thought I had been beaten,” said Stewart.

“Around 50m out I was going to hold him, but right on the line I thought he had got me.

Exciting three-year-old Super Easy made it two-from-two with another impressive winning display in the last race of Friday’s all-Polytrack night meeting.

“He is a horse with a very good future here in Singapore,” said Moreira. 

A three-year-old New Zealand bred by Darci Brahma from the Gold Brose mare Parfore, Super Easy was a NZ$140,000 yearling purchase under the Blue Sky Banner with Freedman and MWB and on top of the NZ$63,000 he collected in New Zealand he added around $30,000 to the coffers of the Joy N Happiness Stable with his victory on Sunday.

Ronnie Stewart guides Distinction to victory in Race 2 on Friday night.

A set of blinkers and drawing off the track saw Winontop dominate for his first win in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden Stakes over 1100m on the Polytrack on Friday night.

Ridden by lightweight jockey Ronnie Stewart, Winontop scored a two-and-a-half length victory over Coliseum (Sean Cormack) with Good Boss (Olivier Placais) a half-length back in third place.

 

At his debut a fortnight ago, Winontop drew barrier 1 while on Friday night he had a reversal of fortune, jumping from barrier 10 in the 12 horse field.

Stewart had Winontop quickly out of the gates but was happy to sit off the track behind the speed that was set by Moshpit Milly (Mohd Zaki), Haizum (Jose Verenzuela) and Coliseum.

Coming to the turn Stewart moved up out four wide on the course to be in a challenging position. Soon after straightening Stewart pressed the button and passing the 200m mark the race was all but over.

“He’s still very green but he’s got a good motor,” said Stewart.

“He drew one the other day and wasn’t happy with all that was going on around him.

“When I trialled him he drew off the track and tonight with the blinkers on I was happy for him to be out wide.

“Coming to the turn I could feel he was just wanting to hang out a bit, so I decided to come back a half-length and he was then able to see the horses.

“I waited until we got into the straight before asking him to go and he responded well when I did.

“He’s a bit of a thinker but is full of promise.”

With more racing under the belt trainer Michael Freedman believes Winontop can develop into a handy performer.

“He was still a bit new tonight even with the blinkers on, but with a bit of time he should develop into a nice horse,” said Freedman.

Winontop was purchased at Inglis Melbourne Premier as a yearling and the gelding is raced by R Racing who also have the smart winners Kennecott and Mr Big in Freedman’s care.

Winontop is by California Dane who was prepared by Freedman’s brother Lee in Melbourne.

“We trained the sire and his greatest claim to fame was he won a Group 2 sprint race at MooneeValley on Cox Plate day with Kieran Fallon on board,” said Freedman.

Winontop is from the Canny Lad mare Lycme and was purchased as a yearling by Freedman and Michael Wallace Bloodstock for A$110,000.

Credit: Craig Brennan STC
 

Trainer Michael Freedman’s debuting two-year-old Rush snuck up on the rails to upstage more seasoned juvenile Kaiser by a head in a close finish on Friday night.

The Charge Forward colt (pictured inside) was given an even chance at $19 to upset the $8 hotpot Kaiser, who is already a winner of three races, including two Legs of the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe series, and duly obliged courtesy of a never-say-die ride from jockey Danny Beasley.

After being one of the best away, Kaiser was sent to the front by jockey Soo Khoon Beng to enjoy a relatively soft lead for most of the 1200m of the $65,000 Open race for two-year-olds.

Debut winner Tzar (Barend Vorster) sat handy throughout and was ready to pounce as the field rounded the home turn, but could not quite muster an acceleration while Soo had not budged yet on Kaiser.

Right on his heels, Rush was sticking on but could not find the necessary gap on the rails. But when Kaiser suddenly rolled off, a saloon passage opened up and Beasley needed no invitation to send his mount through.

Kaiser however started to roll back in, shutting down the gap again, and putting Beasley in a tight spot. Beasley did not give up, though, and though having to shift sideways to extract the best from Rush, he managed to lift him for that last lunge to pip Kaiser by a head on his inside.

“It’s been a bit frustrating with the older brigade and all these placegetters,” said Freedman.

“But it’s good to see that rebuilding campaign I have developed with those two-year-olds is starting to pay off. Dan said this one will only get better over a bit further.

“It was a good tough effort for a two-year-old to beat a more experienced two-year-old like Kaiser - and to do it when he had little galloping room.

“I’m glad he won as he’s been in work for a fair while as it’s taken a while to sort out some ownership issues.

“We’ll have to see how he pulls up. At this stage he’s 50/50 to head for the Juvenile Championship at the end of the month.

“Cash Luck is back in work while Mr Big will trial this week. So, I do have a few options.”

The $200,000 Group 2 Magic Millions Juvenile Championship will be held on July 31 and was won last year by Gingerbread Man, who later scored in the next race.

Beasley said he had mixed feelings about the Mummify Stable-owned Rush going into Friday's race, but was delighted he has come through in the best possible way.

“I’ve always had a high opinion of this bloke, especially after a couple of jumpouts on the grass off the back. I was really impressed,” said the Australian hoop.

“But after he galloped on the Polytrack, I thought it was so-so and maybe he had lost a bit of his condition. Maybe he’s a better grass horse.

“He attacked the line very well in the last bit even when Kaiser rolled on top of us.

“As I’ve always thought highly of him and he’s still a little baby, I’ve always cuddled him along but he copped a bit of flogging tonight.

“It’s okay as it’ll probably teach him what racing is all about.”

Rush was purchased by Michael Freedman/Michael Wallace Bloodstock for $75,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. By Group One-winning sprinter Charge Forward, Rush is from the Adrian Knox Stakes placegetter Flidais – a winning daughter of Timber Country.

Progressive galloper Just Fantastic landed his 5th win for the season when delivering by 2 lengths in the RACING GOES ON HANDICAP, a Class 1 event in Hong Kong mid week.

The son of Waikato Stud Stallion, No Excuse Needed (pictured), was purchased through MWB/BHB by trainer Me Tsui after a NZ trail win for Foxton trainer David Howarth.

Progressing from a start of season rating of 48 to the new high of 102, represents a great achievment and display of skill from trainer Me Tsui, reflecting his judgement in purchasing the horse for his Perfect Match Syndicate.

Group 1 Winning Mare, The Party Stand, has been purchased for Australian clients after been recently retired from racing.

The Party Stand raced away to her first Group 1 victory in the $200,000 Nicolas Feuillatte New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie a few months ago.

Trainer Roger James decided late on Tuesday afternoon before the race, that the Australian bound flight would leave without The Party Stand (Thorn Park x Cremisi) as it was decided that a tilt at the Group 1 weight-for-age New Zealand Stakes was the right option for the mare.

"She worked very well on the Tuesday morning and I was very happy with the way she had been going.

"The truck arrived later in the afternoon to pick her up, and after a big discussion and looking at the nominations for the race, we decided that she would stay in New Zealand and head for the New Zealand Stakes.

"We were very pleased with her run. We were confident coming into the race that she would put in a good performance and we got the result which is great.

"She has come through the race in good order so now we need to sit down and discuss future plans. There are a lot of options on the table and we want to have a good look at them all, but Brisbane could be on the cards a bit later in the season. For now we will just see how see goes."

The mare came into the race in good form after winning the Listed Trac Stakes at Matamata over 2000 metres late last month. In the NZ Stakes she proved again to be too strong in the concluding stages, beating the Stephen McKee trained mare Adaline (Court Of Jewels) by a long neck.

The Party Stand continues a sensational run of success by her sire Thorn Park who had two stakes winners in the weekend with Magic Briar also winning at Listed level on Saturday. The son of Spinning World is now the sire of two Group 1 winners, the other being his outstanding NZ Derby winning son Jimmy Choux.

No mating has been decided for The Party Stand in 2011 as yet.

The 2011 Inglis Weanling Sale was conducted over two days with over 500 lots on offer.

MWB ended the Weanling Sale as leading purchaser, with 6 lots brought for a total of Au$484,500, including a stunning Fastnet Rock Colt (Pictured), the first foal of the Anabaa mare, Snake Mary.

Purchases include:

• Fastnet Rock Colt $130,000
• Commands Colt $85,000
• Lonhro Colt $120,000
• Snippetson Colt $10,000
• Magic Albert Colt $71,000
• Not A Single Doubt Colt $56,000
• MyBoyCharlie Filly $22,500

When looking for yearlings, most often, MWB goes looking for a type of horse that will be a nice miler as a 3yo.

Consider that MWB was involved in the selection process, of 6 individual Black Type Performed 2yos, from a small number of yearling selections is something we are very pleased with. The 3yo season looks to be one that will at least begin full of promise.

Horses such as Beejay Belle, Pump it, Rescue Mission (pictured), Show the Cash, Elusive Red and Super Easy all have shown the ability to attempt to be part of the 3yo Races in 2011/12.

Together with Bangalore Bullet, Chaplin and an unnamed General Nediym trial winner there is a solid group of horses ready to put there hand up come Spring time.

Group 2 winning racemare, Adaline (pictured beating Katie Lee) , has been retired from racing and will move to the broodmare paddocks of Australia.

In a deal brokered by MWB 2 weeks ago, Adaline retires as a Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed. From a fantastic female family, Adaline is a worthly placement in any broodamre band in Australasia. No mating has been confrmed for 2011 yet.

Dancing Rain (3f Danehill Dancer-Rain Flower, by Indian Ridge) added another chapter to Danehill Dancer’s illustrious career at Epsom on Friday when winning the G1 Oaks with a bold front-running performance.

The impressive Newbury maiden winner was steered by Johnny Murtagh to a three-quarter length success from Wonder Of Wonders.

Dancing Rain was winning trainer William Haggas’s first runner in the Investec Oaks. “This is what it’s all about,” said a hoarse Haggas. “It’s just a matter of getting the right horse and on this occasion the right jockey.

“She’s a big long-striding filly and we got lucky because we were left alone in front. Johnny was able to pop her back to sleep for a bit and bide his time. But he said that when the other filly came to her she went again and wanted to win.

“Last year she was hopeless but she steadily getting better and she’s still getting better. Johnny was clever but she stays and we didn’t make enough use of her last time. That’s the learning process and she has done it well today.”

Murtagh added: “I was hoping she would be able to make the jump going up to a mile and a half today and it worked. William said he’d be happy for her to go on as she stays well and we got lucky that we didn’t have to do too much in front.

“She set a nice pace but she was ducking and diving forever so I knew that there was loads left in the tank. I thought that if we got to the six-furlong pole, she could maintain a good gallop down the last six (furlongs) and it would take something to pick her up in the last half-mile.”

Dancing Rain was bred by the Sangster family’s Swettenham Stud and bought by agent Liam Norris for 200,000 euros as a yearling at Goffs for the brothers Lee and Martin Taylor.

Dancing Rain's Graddam, Rose of Jericho, is a half sister to the MWB purchased Rose Pomadour. Rose Pompadour is currently in foal to Henrythenavigator, with a 2011 mating to be finalised.

When MWB drove to the 2006 NZB Winter Sale there were very few lots marked down for inspection. One such race mare, Cape Merlot, carried the pedigree of Kentucky Lass, a previous favourite mare of my wife, Nicky.

A fantastic pedigree which includes  Kentucky Lass, a sister to PRINCE BOURBON, three-quarter-sister to Clermont Rose(dam of GRAND DANCER), Justa Taste (dam of MYNZAWINE, DABEER ZAHEER), Reasonably - Sound Approach (Aust.) (dam of VONUSTI), half-sister to ZAMAZAAN LASS, Bourbon Lassie (dam of OMNICORP, CRIMSON, PHAROSTAN, BOURBON BOY), Clermont Lass (dam of (LADY) IGUAZU).

An inspection of Cape Merlot showed her to be a lovely mare, very similar to her sire Cape Cross, much of which must have attracted Paul Moroney to select her as a yearling, before she went onto win a sole race in limited starts.

Purchased for a mere $1,400, Cape Merlot, was sent to Ardsley Stud. Her first mating produced an O'Reilly filly. Her second an Elusive City (pictured) filly, retained for racing under the Cape Merlot Syndicate, managed by Rachel Wallace.

Named, Elusive Red, this strong sprinting filly has performed with great credit as a 2yo. Racing 8 times, for 2 victories and 5 further placings. Her run for 2nd, in the Listed Castletown Stakes, further enhances a wonderful pedigree. Cape Merlot will be represented by a cracking Fully Fledged colt at Karaka 2012. A mating for this year is to be finalised. 

The John O'Shea trained Legsman made light work of his rivals in the Listed Little Bottler Winter Cup (2400m) as he led all the way to record his first black-type win at Rosehill on Saturday.

In a gem of a ride from Jim Cassidy, Legsman ((pictired www.stevehart.com.au) Pins x Snobbish) was six lengths clear of his rivals at the 1200 metre mark, and turned for home with a three length lead on the field. Fellow NZ bred Tullamore (Savabeel) put up a game effort to claim second, but Legsman was too tough and hit the line on tired legs to win the Listed event by one length.

It was the five-year-old's fifth career win, and the 41st individual stakes winner for his sire Pins, making it a stakes winning double for Waikato Stud stallions with Scarlett Lady taking the Oaks for Savabeel.

Legsman was purchased by John O'Shea Bloodstock from Waikato Stud for $105,000 at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale. He has now won over A$250,000.

A full-sister to Legsman was purchased by New Zealand Bloodstock as agent for $7,500 at the 2011 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, while Legsman's dam Snobbish was purchased by MWB for $2,200 in foal to Waikato Stud Stallion in Rios. 
 

New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale concluded today at Karaka, with the remaining 166 broodmares and mixed bloodstock entries wrapping up the three-day National Sale.

In the final analysis, 575 of 837 catalogued lots found new homes for total takings of $5,760,500, compared with 653 horses sold last year for $7,454,900. The final combined average across the three days of selling was $10,018, versus last year's $11,416, with the clearance rate holding up extremely well at 81%, compared with 82% last year.

With the day getting underway with the remaining broodmares on offer, yesterday's top price of $85,000 was never surpassed but was matched by the Gone West mare Down View - dam of Singapore star Mexican Rose (Lot 589). Offered by Trelawney Stud, she was purchased by Jamieson Park of Pukekohe in foal to Mastercraftsman.

Top equal broodmare Down View - Lot 589

Jamieson Park's James Chapman was thrilled with his purchase.

"We had a few in our catalogue that we wanted and we targeted her and we are thrilled that now we get to take her home. She is lovely mare and has done a great job at stud so hopefully we can get some good progeny from her.

"We found the market very strong. Buyers seemed to come out of the woodwork on the stronger lots which made it tough, and overall the vendors that had the right horse, made money."

With 297 catalogued broodmares, plus four supplementary entries, a total of 205 mares were sold for $1,695,100, representing an average of $8,269 at a clearance rate of 79%.

The leading individual broodmare buyer was Cambridge-based agent Michael Wallace Bloodstock, with 12 purchased for $223,100, including a top price of $40,000 paid for the winning Shinko King mare Tenko (Lot 482) and the unraced High Chaparral mare High Tea (Lot 618).

Wallace also purchased seven other lots over the course of the past three days, to make him the leading individual buyer of the Sale with 19 purchases for $358,600. Active at both the weanling and broodmare sessions, Wallace said he faced good competition over the past three days.

"The lots that were strong types with good pedigrees were well sought after in the ring and made good money as there was always competition to purchase them.

"This was particularly evident in the weanling session, especially the Premier and Select type colts which were tough to buy; but the horses that struggled on pedigree and type found it tough.

"The Bernardini colt I bought was a nice type (Lot 190) and we were very happy to secure him. Bernardini's horses have been going very well in the Northern Hemisphere and the reports from the breakers down here is that they are very happy with them, so he will hopefully shape into a smart purchase. All going to plan the colt will be heading to the Karaka Yearling Sales in 2012."

MWb attended the William Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. A strong Sale, especially for fillies offered confidence in the Australian racing scene.

MWB purchased 3 Lots:

Excellent Art x Africain Colt $200,000 with Lee Freedman

Pins x Rivereine Colt $240,000 with Michael Freedman

More than Ready x Miss Portofino Colt (Pictured) $210,000 with Lee Freedman.

Please feel free to contact myself of Freedman Racing if interested in any of these colts.

Patinack Farm had three runners out of six starters in Saturday’s Listed $80,000 Adelaide Casino Oaklands Plate (1600m) at Morphettville and that representation proved enough to win the two-year-old feature.

However it didn’t come from $1.90 favourite Win For Wilson as many expected. Instead it was third favourite Isopach ($3.80) that claimed the $50,000 first prize with a stunning last-to-first victory.

Ridden by Mark Zahra, Isopach settled last on the rails before giving chase to Win For Wilson and Pump It at the front of the field, hugging the fence all the way to hit the lead inside the final 100 metres and win by a half length.

Pump It, an $80,000 purchase for MWB/Michael Freedman ($3.20) finished second while Win For Wilson weakened into third place, just over a further length away.

Isopach, who finished fifth last start in the Group 3 SAJC Sires’ Produce (1400m), finished in the placings for the first time this time from five career starts.
 

A soaking wet Randwick on Saturday saw a tough performance from the Anthony Cummings trained kiwi Lucha Libre in the Listed Comedy for Kids South Pacific Handicap (1400m).

Leading the pack in transit and taking the field into the roomy Randwick straight, jockey Craig Williams kept Lucha Libre (Pins x Libre) fighting all the way, holding off the challenges from Levi's Choice and Kirinata to win by a short head.

With only two career starts, the three-year-old filly remains unbeaten after winning her debut performance in Wyong in late March on a good track. She looks to have plenty of ability on the turf and showed a lot of determination to win the Listed event in what was a big rise in class.

A daughter of Waikato Stud's sire Pins, she is the stallion's 39th individual stakes winner. Having a successful 2010/2011 season, Pins is also the sire of the HK-1 Hong Kong Derby winner Ambitious Dragon, the talented two-year-old Antonio Lombardo who ran Anabandana to a nose in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, the Group 2 Avondale Guineas winner Ice Pin, and the two-year-old Listed Welcome Stakes winner Bespoke.

Lucha Libre was bought by Anthony Cummings from Ardsley Stud at the 2009 Karaka Premier Sale for $45,000; she has now won over A$70,000 on the track.

Lucha Libre was bred by Michael and Nicky Wallace and Mary and Jim Wallace.

Credit: NZTM

Veteran Masterton horse owner Jim Wallace senior had one awful, fleeting moment of doubt late on Wednesday afternoon, before settling down to savour one of the greatest moments of his life.

Mr Wallace, 89, was on his feet, his eyes fixed on the television screen as his pride and joy Titch got the better of the rich Auckland Cup field but for a second or two he wasn't sure he was watching the right horse.

"When Opie Bosson hooked him out into the clear at the top of the straight I thought we were going to win but with 100m to run I thought I hope I am looking at the right horse."

"I was on my feet and I pointed my walking stick at him on the screen and said to my family who had all gathered in the lounge 'that's him isn't it'.

"They shouted back yes."

It was then the celebrations really began, as the family had opted to stay at home with Mr Wallace, who had been unable to make the trip to Ellerslie to see Titch triumph.

For Mr Wallace the win was his biggest in New Zealand during a long and successful association with the sport in this country and in Australia.

It also had sentimental value as Titch was one of the last foals sired by the Wallace family favourite Lord Ballina.

Titch had been little more than a mere baby when trainer Kevin Myers spied him at Ardsley Stud.

"He picked him out in the paddock and said it was worth seeing what he could do."

Mr Wallace said he was more than happy to leave it to Myers and his confidence has been well rewarded.

Titch has shown tremendous versatility by not only stringing together wins on the flat but also over hurdles. He won three hurdle races in succession in Australia last winter under the tutorship of Victorian trainer Paddy Payne before being returned to Myers and setting his sights on the Auckland Cup. Mr Wallace has a full sister to Titch - racing as Soph - and Sparking, winner of 11 races.

THE winners of the two feature races in New Zealand yesterday donated nearly $50,000 to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal as the racing industry rallied to support yet another South Island disaster fund.

In an incredibly generous gesture, Hamilton supermarket owner Christopher Grace pledged more than $30,000 to the appeal, half his winning stake, after his crack filly Anabandana won yesterday's $100,000 Matamata Breeders' Stakes.

The pledge sparked a similar donation by the owner of runner-up Beejay Belle (a MWB Karaka purchase), Graeme Price, who gave half his $20,000 stake.

And at Otaki, the fund was further boosted when Keep The Peace bagged the $200,000 Haunui Farm Classic, winning trainer Shaune Ritchie having earlier in the week pledged half of any percentages he won during the weekend.

When the mare ran down hot favourite Wall Street to grab the $118,750 purse, and stablemate Roi d'Jeu took the $12,000 Mills Reef Handicap, Ritchie's gift amounted to $6312.

It seemed Ritchie's challenge to other stakeholders to get behind the crisis, like the industry did for the Pike River mine disaster, had worked when Grace, during the Matamata post-race presentation for the Group II fillies' feature, pledged half of his winning purse of $62,500.

But Grace said he decided on making a contribution while speaking to his brother, a Hamilton policeman, on his way to the races.

"He told me some of the many tragic stories which happened during the Christchurch earthquake, such as people who lost everything and the children who lost their parents," he said.

"The stories brought tears to my eyes and I decided that if my filly won today's race I would support the earthquake appeal," Grace said.

Grace, who owns the Te Rapa New World supermarket, paid $A26,000 for Anabandana at the Gold Coast weanling sales. While he has raced horses for 25 years the last 12 months have seen him enjoy the most success – he also co-owned last year's Group I Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes winner Nacho Man.

Cambridge trainer Don Sellwood praised the ride of winning jockey Opie Bosson.

"He let her find her feet from the ace draw and let her relax," Sellwood said.

"She is a really good filly and simply goes about doing the business," he said.

"She is not a difficult horse to train and nothing much bothers her," Sellwood said.

"All things going well she will press on to run in the Group I Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on the final day of the cup meeting."

Sellwood predicted a big future for the strongly built Australian-bred bay filly, who is by Anabaa.

Credit: Philip Quay SUnday Star Times:

MWB was active over all three sessions of the Karaka Sales, purchases included:

-Shamardal x The Quarwaan $325,000

-O'Reilly x Markisa $300,000

-Darci Brahma x Leigh Valley $170,000 (Pictured Above)

-Fastnet Rock x Tonic $160,000

-Darci Brahma x Summary $100,000

-Nadeem x Scenic Design $35,000

-Iffraaj x Windsorclass $175,000

-Iffraaj x Lekka Ding $65,000

-Canny Lad x Free From $30,000

-Perfectly Ready x Much Obliged $10,000

-Elusive City x Shades of Silk $34,000

-Perfectly Ready x Diaz $22,000

-Ekraar x Post Romance $18,000

As the host of international bloodstock agents continue to do their rounds of the Karaka sale grounds, none can be more satisfied with his results from the past couple of weeks than Cambridge-based Michael Wallace.

Born and bred into the industry through his family’s Ardsley Stud in the Wairarapa, Michael Wallace Bloodstock has been running in red-hot form through the first month ofg 2012.

On Saturday the three-year-old Hussonet colt Bangalore Bullet – a A$50,000 purchase by Wallace – won the Listed Gore Guineas for trainer Shane Kennedy, while later on in the day on the other side of the Tasman the A$170,000 purchase First Command was successful in the Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington.

Throw into the mix a neck second placing by international star Joy And Fun in the HK-1 HKJC Centenary Sprint Cup, and it’s has been a highly successful past couple of weeks for the young bloodstock agent.

“Obviously it takes time to build a business, especially in our field where results are all important,” says Wallace. “We have gradually received more opportunities to buy the horses we like and this is now showing itself in top results on the track.”

The results also include the purchase of the rising Singapore star Super Easy. Wallace, along with trainer Michael Freedman, purchased the Darci Brahma colt for $140,000 from the Esker Lodge draft at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale.

He was initially trained in New Zealand from the stable of John Sargent when he had a win and a second before finishing fourth in the Karaka Million. Super Easy has been a revelation since his transfer to Freedman’s Singapore stable, winning all five of his starts to date.

His run of form was capped by a comfortable win against the older horses in the Sgp-2 EW Barker Trophy when stepping up to stakes company for the first time in November.

After the win Freedman labelled Super Easy as a horse capable of ‘showcasing to the world’, and with the colt already back on the trials scene in Singapore, we may not have to wait too long before Singapore’s most exciting young galloper is back on the racetrack.

Meanwhile Wallace continues the hunt for his next star at Karaka 2012. “We have done a huge amount of work on the sale already and always look forward to the opportunity to find someone their next top horse,” he said.

Credit: Gus Wigley The Informant

New Zealand's richest two-year-old race, the Karaka Million, will hold high interest in Singapore with the Darci Brahma colt Super Easy looming as a leading contender.

Super Easy was bought by Singapore-based trainer Michael Freedman under the Blue Sky Thoroughbreds banner for $140,000 from Esker Lodge. He was the first horse Freedman had purchased for Singapore's Joy N Happiness Stable.

"It was the first time I had bought a horse for his owners over in Singapore. We had the idea of buying a colt from the Karaka Sales and leaving him in New Zealand for 12 months, and if he showed some promise, aim him at the Karaka Million,” Freedman said.

“Happily the plan is coming together so far and he looks like he's in with a good chance."

Super Easy (Darci Brahma x Parfore) is well-placed in the Karaka Million Order of Entry, sitting in fourth position with $23,025 in stakes.

The two-year-old was the first winner for his sire Darci Brahma and is one of three John Sargent trained runners inside the top 14 in the Order of Entry.

Showing some early promise, the colt was sent to the trials on two occasions prior to making his raceday debut, winning them both.

His first start on the track in the KPR Catering 2YO Handicap (1000m) on December 4 saw Super Easy score a victory on debut.

In a tough performance, the colt was made to fight as he and fellow NZB graduate Planet Rock (Fastnet Rock) were stride for stride for much of the Trentham straight.

Winning by a nose at the line, there was a gap of almost five lengths to the third placed Elusive Red (Elusive City).

The win by Super Easy is an excellent form guide for the Karaka Million as Planet Rock beat a top field home in the Countdown to the Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie last Saturday and Elusive Red went on to beat a good field home in the NZB 2YO Premier in mid-December.

Super Easy's second start came in the Group 3 Stella Artois Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day where he was beaten a nose by the tough filly Anabandana (Anabaa) who isn't eligible for the Karaka Million.

The performance also saw him beat fellow John Sargent trained Savabill, another horse in the stable that has shown real potential, and is heading for the feature race.

Michael Freedman is pleased with how the horse is coming along.

"His first start was very impressive, he ran a good time and the form out of that race was strong.

“I thought he was a bit unlucky in his last start, he was taken on in front and had to fight the horses coming from the back, but he showed plenty of determination which was good to see.

"He seems to have a fair bit of talent, he has a good turn of foot, is fairly tractable and, from what I am told, a sensible horse as well so we are expecting him to run well in the Karaka Million.

"Win, lose or draw, he will be heading to the spelling paddock, and pending how he goes we will decide whether to bring him straight up to Singapore or aim him at further two-year-old races later in the season."

The maximum 14-horse field in the Karaka Million will be determined by prizemoney won.

There are just five two-year-old events left before the big race, including the $85,000 Group 2 Westbury Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes.

 

The 2011 Magic Millions Yearling Sale was again the first sale of the year. Expecation leading into the sale is spread all over Australasia and Asia.

A solid sale we were targeting some colts for Asian interests.

Our purchases included:

-Exceed n Excel x Alicorsam $140,000

-Jet Spur x Cor Corz $115,000

-Not a Single Doubt x Miss Argyle $80,000

-Command x Ruby Draw $45,000

Matamata trainer John Sargent knows just what it takes to have a two-year-old up and ready for their big assignment, and this year he looks a possibility to have three of his babies qualified to contest the rich Karaka Million race on January 29^th - Super Easy (Darci Brahma), Savabill (Savabeel), and Dollario (Captain Rio).

Carrying only 51.5kg, the Michael Freedman-trained galloper was well rated by lightweight jockey Ronnie Stewart, who bounced him out to the lead before careering away in the home straight for a 4 ¼ length win over Zac Influence (Leong Yoon Fei) with Listen Up (Felix Coetzee) third another half-a-length away.

A costly failure at his last start, Rotorua (Mohd Airy) is bound to lose more fans after he could manage only fourth as the even-money favourite. 

But all honours to the winner who is shaping up as a nice staying prospect for Horizon Stable owner Bernard Lee.

“Bernard can look forward to the future with this one,” said Freedman. “I’m delighted for Bernard as he’s been one of my most loyal supporters from Day-1.

“I’ve always had a very good opinion of this horse. He’s a nice consistent horse but has taken a little while to get going.

“He could be my Singapore Guineas (1600m) horse next year but he should also be able to get 2000m as he’s by Rock Of Gibraltar.

“He is also a half-brother to a very nice horse called Biscayne Bay, a Group 2 winner back in Australia.

“He’s shown a bit of speed at his first couple of races and I told Ronnie to let him roll to the front if no-one is keen to go forward, and it’s worked out beautifully.

“The light weight also helped. It’s a shame Danny (Beasley) could not ride the horse as he does all the work on him.

“I don’t mind putting Ronnie on as he’s such a good rider and an excellent judge of pace. But I’m sure Danny will get his chance to get back on Matterhorn.”

Stewart, who is booting home winners on a regular basis after enduring a slow start to the season, certainly lapped up the 1min 22.84 seconds it took to warm the seat for his Australian colleague.

“It took a while for him to get across and I was worried he would be a little keen,” said Stewart.

“I left a bit of room on the rails but then he sort of came back under me and I was able to steady up the pace.

“Turning for home, he just quickened away so well. I think he will get even better over a bit further.”

Being by Rock Of Gibraltar out of Mont Tremblant, Freedman’s 29^th winner is well named as Matterhorn is a famous mountain in the Swiss Alps. Matterhorn was a $100,000 purchase from the NZB Premier Sale.

Last-start winner Pennacchio (Align x Abenezra) has been put aside for a spell and will resume racing in the autumn.

 Pennacchio enhanced her growing reputation with a game win in the $35,000 Pencarrow Stud 1400 at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day (November 3).

Trained in Cambridge by Lance Noble, Mercury Mistress bounced out confidently from barrier one to lead throughout the race. On entering the straight, Buddy Lammas urged her to draw away and warn off a challenge from Champagne Joy (Thorn Park x Madamina by Key to Content) who finished a just under a length back in second.

Like Juice, Mercury Mistress was a $20,000 purchase from Karaka. Part-owner in the filly, Rob Burnet secured her at the 2008 Select Sale from her breeders, Waikato Stud.

The Beekeeper (Keeper x The Minder by Personal Escourt) added one point for third in the race to her three from finishing second in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes last start. Currently Brown Eyed Grace (Van Nistelrooy) and Chaparella (High Chaparrel) complete the three-way-tie with the final race in the Series, the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) set to run on 24 April at Riccarton. 

Shane Keneddy and MWB purchased Champagne Joy at the Annual South Island Sale.

While all the focus on Saturday was on star Red Ransom (USA) mare Typhoon Tracy and her Group One victory in the MRC CF Orr Stakes, her sire also had a stakes-winner across the Tasman in New Zealand in Aussie bred three year-old Champagne Ransom, a $60,000 purchase from the draft of Caithness Breeding at the 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne.

A lightly raced gelding trained by Shane Kennedy, Champagne Ransom nailed his first stakes success after prevailing in a tight finish to win the Listed Dunedin Guineas over 1400 metres at Wingatui by a nose.

With an overall record of two wins and two seconds from just five starts, Champagne Ransom looks like being a good purchase for part-owner Louis Vieceli, who purchased the horse in Melbourne with Michael Wallace Bloodstock, and races him in partnership with Greg Tomlinson and the trainer Shane Kennedy.

Yet another stakes-winner for ill-fated Red Ransom (USA) (pictured) who passed away at Vinery Stud late last year, Champagne Ransom was a successful pinhook for Caithness having been bought as a weanling for $16,000 from the Swettenham draft at the Inglis Select Weanling Sale.

Coming from the back of the field on Fownes-trained Super Satin, Whyte charged up the rail on turning for home and swamped the leaders for his first win in 41 rides - the longest losing run during his nine-year reign as Hong Kong champion.

"The horse has been racing very well without luck and I came here full of confidence tonight," said Fownes. "But you know, I'm the kind of trainer always happy to give these battling jockeys a chance to win one, so I'm pleased for Douglas."

Losing streaks were never in Prebble's thinking as he plundered the meeting for four wins, helping Dennis Yip Chor-hong to his 300th career winner in the second race with Rocket And Gold after opening with Class Five sprint-winner Withallmyheart.

He added Fownes-trained Jumbo Gold in the fifth and the Jockey Challenge was over when he grabbed third in the sixth event, but Prebble saved his best win for the night's feature as David Hall-trained Ambitious General finally broke his duck in the Community Chest Cup (1,800m).

Fownes trained a double with Super Satin and Jumbo Gold and believes both horses are headed higher up the ladder.

"Jumbo Gold is very inexperienced and that's why I brought him back for another 1,200m here, even though he finished off his last run like he wanted further," Fownes said.

"Down the track he's going to be a nice miler, but when these inexperienced horses draw a gate at the Valley, as he did tonight, it is good for their confidence going around here."

Jumbo Gold was purchased by MWB at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $47,500 before being reoffered at the NZB Ready to Run Sale where Magus Equine outlaid $280,000 for the son of Flying Spur.

Marwing brought home a long-priced treble on So Pretty So Smart, Super Gentleman and Chater Way to take the Jockey Challenge, then reflected on Allan's death last Wednesday.

"We made a great team, Ivan and I, we won some of the biggest races, had some great times and he was one of the best - he'll be sadly missed. My heart goes out to his family," said Marwing, who became Allan's unofficial first rider in 2001 and virtually until the trainer's retirement in 2004.

Marwing was the regular partner of the likes of Fairy King Prawn, with whom he won a Chairman's Sprint, and Olympic Express, on which he won a Derby and the Hong Kong Mile.

That is perhaps the only time So Pretty So Smart or Super Gentleman will be mentioned in the same story as Fairy King Prawn, but Marwing's final winner, Chater Way, might have some more scope.

Trained in England by Henry Cecil, he had shown high promise at two years, before disappointing in two runs at three. "He overraced in the last run in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot and didn't stay as a result. I'm glad he didn't stay because otherwise he would never have been available," said trainer David Ferraris.

"At a mile, he looked a proper racehorse there and I love his attitude."

Marwing pointed out that few young imports won first-up under top weight in Class Three, and Chater Way had indicated plenty of ability in everything he had done.

"He didn't buy his rating, you can feel he has a lot of talent and he's done that like a mature horse today," he said. "He had to dig down that little bit extra to get up today and he did. I think he's going places."

Just where Super Gentleman will end up going may well depend on the horse, but the gelding again showed there is improvement in him on the score of greenness when he narrowly took the fourth event for trainer Derek Cruz.

At his debut run, Super Gentleman was anything but a gentleman for Greg Cheyne, all but losing touch with the field in the mid-stages.

"He did a lot wrong and had to go back to the trials, but if you looked at how he finished that first race off, it actually was quite a good performance," Marwing said.

"Even today, he was forward, then back, then forward, again down the straight as different things went on around him, then he went forward at the right time to get the win." 

Super Gentleman was purchased by MWB at the NZB Ready to Run Sale before being on sold to the Derek Cruz yard.

Syndicated filly Malaya scored a fantastic win on Debut at Taupo today. The 3yo filly by Towkay showed great fight to hold off all challenges in the maiden 1400m.

Trained by Peter McKay, who has had previous success with the Towkay(pictured with his owners) progeny in Kay's Awake and Secret Mission, Malaya races for a large syndicate. Syndicate manager Michael Wallace commented, "It was a very nice debut. The filly showed a lot of spirit which is a trait of the stock of Towkay. The owners are very pleased and Peter has an eye on some of the better staying races for fillies later in the season".

 A stunning looking 3yo colt by More than Ready, from the family of Denise's Joy is a horse many owners dream about owning. When they show they have the athletic ability to match the blue blood pedigree and powerful looks, such owners tend to get excited.

Thundermore is such a horse.

Owned by the Wallace Racing Syndicate in conjunction with his trainers, Peter and Kim McKay, Thundermore powered to victory on Group 1 Mudgeway Raceday at Hastings on Saturday.
Leading jockey, Sam Spratt, was entrusted to ride Thundermore. Forced to sit three-four deep for the very quickly run first 600m, Spratt angled her charge five deep turning for home and with a burst of speed quickly put the race beyond doubt, going on to record a, narrow, yet soft win in the Hawkes Bay Wine Country 1200m.

Purchased and Syndicated by Michael Wallace Bloodstock, Thundermore looks to have a very positive future, with Guineas plans firmly in mind.
"It is great for the owners to be a part of a horse like this. They are a great group, love their racing, are vocal in their support and enjoy a good time. His pedigree and looks place a certain amount of pressure to deliver equivalent racetrack performance. What we have seen today is a very positive reminder heading forward. Naturally being a 3yo colt we will look to the better races but will be guided by the McKay's as to where he is best placed".

A strong day's trading at Karaka today saw the Weanling Session of New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale conclude on a positive note.

One of the most pleasing outcomes of the day was the 88% clearance rate, just shy of last year's record for New Zealand Bloodstock of 89%. This was noticeable throughout the day with spirited bidding at all levels of the weanling market.

Weanling Session sale topper - Lot 207 - a Darci Brahma colt sold on account of Esker Lodge.

The highlight of the day came when Lot 207 - having passed in yesterday for $80,000 - was sold subsequently for $100,000 making it the highest priced weanling of the sale. The colt, by first season sire Darci Brahma, is a half-brother to dual Group 1 winner Hail and was purchased by Tony and Claire Anderson's Papakura-based Ballydoyle from Tom and Shelley Murtagh's Esker Lodge.

Clare Anderson was thrilled with her purchase, which has been pinhooked for the 2010 National Yearling Sales Series. "He's a lovely colt with a great attitude already. We were also attracted to his pedigree and expect that Darci Brahma's progeny are going to be popular come yearling sales in January."

The average tracked up throughout the day to finish at $9,018, down 34% from last year's record weanling average of $13,733. Turnover for the session reached $2,407,800 while the median rounded off at $3,250.

The session provided a great start to the sales careers of the first season sires with Darci Brahma recording the highest sire average at $41,813 while progeny by Perfectly Ready and Fast n Famous were also highly sought after.

For the fourth year running Gordon Cunningham's Curraghmore Stud emerged the leading vendor of the weanling session, selling 15 youngsters for total receipts of $352,000 and an average price of $23,467.

Paul and Cushla Smithies Monovale Holdings edged in to be the leading vendor by average with a figure of $40,563 from the sale of four weanlings. Their top lot fetched second highest price of the session with $82,500 paid for Lot 312. From a three-quarter sister to Group 1 NZ Derby winner Hades - Helene Vitality (HK) (Zabeel) and fellow successful Hong Kong galloper Everbright, she is by Coolmore Stud's dual Group 1 winning son of Danehill, Holy Roman Emperor. New Zealand Bloodstock agent, John Cameron acted on behalf of clients to secure the filly and commented, "She's a strongly made, athletic filly who is built in the same mould as her promising young sire."

Meanwhile the leading purchaser of weanlings was Cambridge-based Michael Wallace Bloodstock who bought six for a total outlay of $134,500.

"I had orders for four different New Zealand-based clients with five of the six lots looking like possible pinhooks. It was encouraging to see the Sale hold up so well and have such tough competition on the quality lots."

It was the first season sires that stole the show on a brisk autumn day at Karaka, with weanlings by Perfectly Ready, Fast n Famous and Darci Brahma in high demand on day one of New Zealand Bloodstock's three-day National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.

Today's highest priced weanling Lot 242 by Perfectly Ready

The top price of the day came from Brighthill Farm's young sire Perfectly Ready. Clearly stamping his progeny, youngsters by the multiple stakes winning son of More Than Ready were highly sought after with 12 selling to record an average of $22,188. His top price was fetched by the last lot of the day - Lot 242 - with Bill Gleeson's Wellfield Lodge securing the bay colt for $56,000.

Heading the freshman bunch by average was The Oaks Stud's sire, Darci Brahma, the five-time Group 1 winning son of Danehill. His three youngsters sold today for an average of $22,417, his top lot being a $40,000 bay filly from the Fairy King mare, Anakela Bay at Lot 233.

Also making a big impression on his sale-day debut was Waikato Stud's newest addition to its top performing stallion ranks, Fast n Famous. The dual stakes winning son of Redoute's Choice accounted for Lot 66 from the Montjeu mare, Libourne. Selling for $52,000, he joined Lot 233 as purchases knocked down to New Zealand Bloodstock as agent.

Selling all three afore mentioned youngsters was Gordon Cunningham's Curraghmore Stud, making the Hamilton-based operation the leading vendor of the day. This well-prepared draft fetched an aggregate of $256,000 and averaged $23,273 for their 11 sold lots. Tomorrow a further six weanlings will be offered by the Stud.

The leading buyer of the day, with two youngsters for an $87,000 outlay, was Australian-trainer John Morrisey. His most expensive purchase was Lot 180, a brown colt by Pentire. Sold by Esker Lodge, he is from the Dance Floor mare Stretto and contributed to his sire Pentire currently holding the highest  average of the day at $35,000 for three weanlings sold.

Of the 242 weanlings catalogued for sale today, 183 were sold for an aggregate of $1,539,600, representing a current average of $8,413 and a strong clearance rate of 84%.

New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Sales & Marketing, Petrea Vela, said today's results reflect the steady demand witnessed for weanlings throughout the day.

"The sale average is currently tracking about 35% down on last year's record figures which is about in line with expectations in the current climate. The clearance rate is holding up very well which is pleasing and there has definitely been a sense of buoyancy to the market, with solid trade throughout the day. Hopefully that momentum will continue through to the end of the weanlings tomorrow and into the broodmare session."

The last time Enchantress entered a sale ring, she fetched a sale topping $1.3 million...last week the stunning mare entered again, this time in foal to Champion Sire More than Ready. A final bid of Au$260,000 to Michael Wallace Bloodstock in NZ was enough to secure the filly, for what is hoped will be a successful stud career.

In the same mould as million dollar yearlings such as Darci Brahma and Don Garcia, 2005 Karaka Premier Sale topper Enchanteress (Danehill x Encens) took a winning first step in her racing career with a victory on debut.

Although racing greenly, the three-year-old filly's class prevailed to cement Enchanteress with a half-length win in the Maiden over 1200 metres. Sadly Enchantress was unable to add to her tally and was retired early to stud.

Knocked down to the bid of Adrian Nicoll of BBA Ireland for NZ$1,300,000, Enchanteress was trained by David Hayes and was raced by a line-up of international racing identities that includes Lord Lloyd-Webber, Lord Vestey and the Hon Peter Stanley, owner of star mare, Ouija Board.

Enchanteress (Danehill x Encens) at Karaka in 2005

Enchanteress became just the second filly to top the Karaka Yearling Sale after Shower of Roses fetched NZ$1,450,000 in 2001. Sold by Peter and Philip Vela's Pencarrow Stud, Enchanteress is from the Common Grounds mare, Encens, a half-sister to champion sire, Scenic. A winner at two in France, Encens was purchased as part of a package of 20 mares who were in foal to Danehill and imported to New Zealand by Pencarrow Stud.

Encens has produced two horses to race, both by Sadler's Wells and both stakes placed winners in the Northern Hemisphere. She has a filly by Black Minnaloushe that will trained by Mark Walker, and a filly by Montjeu which shall join the same stable. Her Redoute's Choice colt was sold to Mark Pilkington for $450,000 at Karaka 2009.

Both trainer and jockey likened the John Singleton homebred (pictured courtesy www.stevehart.com.au ) to last season’s 2yo star, Amelia’s Dream, the Redoute’s Choice filly that bolted home by 9 ¼-lengths on debut at Canterbury before coasting home in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.

“She very much similar to Amelia’s Dream, to be able to muster that kind of speed under her own steam,” Waterhouse said.

Sentiments echoed by Nash Rawiller whose Slipper dreams evaporated last year with the injury to Amelia’s Dream.

The third foal of Sunday Joy, a filly by Encosta de Lago was catalogued for the recent Magic Millions Yearling sale. However she was withdrawn when it was discovered she had a wind problem that required surgery. Strawberry Hill is hopeful of a good long term prognosis.

Not only is John Singleton the owner of one of the hottest families in the stud-book, as part owner of Vinery Stud he has a vested interest in the success of resident stallion More Than Ready (pictured left) who is on track to complete an historic double.

The son of Southern Halo sired last year's Magic Millions winner Augusta Proud and Golden Slipper winner Sebring. Outsider Phelan Ready chalked up another success for More Than Ready in the Magic Millions and few would doubt he has a prime contender for the double in Golden Slipper hopeful More Joyous.

Kildonan (Andrew Calder) returning to scale after winning the Listed Geon Group Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie. Photo: NZ Racing News.  

Kildonan, the winner of two of his four starts including the Listed Geon Group Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie last September, is currently in quarantine and will become a new member of the team prepared by Peter Ho.

"He's been in quarantine for about 10 days and the money has come through so the deal is now completed," said Bruce Harvey, who raced Kildonan with his wife, Maureen.

"Negotiations started when I was up in Hong Kong for the sale last month and he went through all his xrays and passed them before Christmas."

Kildonan, a son of Invincible Spirit, created a big impression from the outset of his racing career, winning a trial at Avondale last May then racing away to an eight and a half-length debut win on the same track the following month.

He was then put aside and when trained Yves Seguin next stepped him out the result was the fresh-up win in the Geon Group Bonecrusher Stakes, in which he flashed through on the inner to beat The Diamond Knight and Al Qurhah.

Kildonan then suffered his first defeat yet unleashed a huge effort when third to Fully Fledged and Altered Image in the Listed James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes at Te Rapa.

On the strength of that performance he was taken south for the Gr I $1 million First Sovereign Trust NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton last November and the result was a seventh behind Tell A Tale and Il Quello Veloce.

"That trip made him," said Harvey.

"He went down there as a boy and came back as a man.

"He looks magnificient and I'll be surprised if he doesn't do well in Hong Kong.

"We've had Group Three wins with Joy And Fun and Kildare, two horses we sent over there, in the last couple of weekends and this horse has shown more than they did."

Kildonan would have been aimed at the Gr I $2.2 million Telecom NZ Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on February 28 if he had remained in New Zealand.

He might have been a gargantuan 29 rating points behind CX Hong Kong Sprint hero Inspiration, but firecracker sprinter Kildare put his emerging ability to the fore, winning the Group Three Chow Tai Fook Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m).

Facing an impressive line-up of established and flourishing sprinters, the four-year-old son of O’Reilly provided a sensational burst of speed after mildly spoiling the start, and benefitted from his lightweight to win by a head from the John Size trained Enthused.

Despite the bare margin, it was a convincing performance by the former New Zealander, supplying trainer Derek Cruz with an exciting sprint protégé that he will prepare for the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1000m) on February 1, the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series.

Cruz said to the South China Morning Post: “Well you can call it whatever you like - Premier class, Group class or whatever - but today these are the big boys and Kildare has really made a name for himself now.

"In those two wins recently, they really banged it on him in the ratings but the handicapper got it spot on - Kildare has proved today that he is a good horse and deserves to be racing in this company.”

Enthused, the CX Hong Kong Sprint fourth and pre-race second favourite in the local market, was steered into a contesting lead with Friendly Gains – a half-brother to the Chris Waller gelding Rangirangdoo – and typical of his character, Enthused got the better of Friendly Gains inside the final 100.

Kildare streamed a passage between Enthused and Dim Sum running on, and the 18 lbs difference between the winner and runner-up sealed Enthused’s defeat, with Commands gelding Yellow Diamond finishing off tremendously for third.

Cruz added: “Kildare was the first to be put into the gates today and Howard (Cheng Yue-tin, jockey) said the horse got a bit hesitant being in there so long. Because of that he stepped out a bit awkwardly, got bumped and got back in the field.

"I was a bit worried about all the traffic in front of him at the 300m, but Howard kept angling for the runs, they kept coming and he took them well."

Derek Cruz has commenced 2009 in fine fettle – Kildare is the fourth winner for the brother of legendary Silent Witness trainer Tony Cruz, following a brilliant treble on New Year’s Day, anchored by none other than Kildare.

Kildare was selected by MWB out of the paddock for owners Ascot Farm before on selling the striking son of O'Reilly to Cruz after an effortless debut win in NZ.

Swick left it late in life to claim his first Group 1 win. The enigmatic straight track specialist continued the magical run of trainer Bart Cummings when coming from last to capture Saturday’s $500,000 Group I Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington.

The 7yo gelding, whose earnings soar over the million dollar mark, seems to come to life in November. It was just over a year ago he earned his last win in the Salinger Stakes (G2). That came a year after his previous win in the Sandown Stakes (G3) in November 2006.

Ridden back in the field by the in form Michael Rodd, Swick (O'Reilly (NZ) x Creme Anglaise (NZ) (Crested Wave (USA)) unleashed his trademark acceleration to overpower Turffontein (Johannesburg (USA) x Spirit of Grace (Dr. Grace (NZ)) by a half-length with the ever-consistent Sunburnt Land (Scenic (IRE) x Razor Blade (Blazing Sword)another length back in third. Local hero Apache Cat was easy in betting and was the first horse beaten, finishing in eighth, nearly six lengths behind the winner.

Standing in the Group 1 winners circle for the 251st time, Cummings said Swick deserved a change of luck.

It was the third Group 1 success of the carnival for Michael Rodd after wins on the Mark Kavanagh trained pair, Whobegotyou in the Caulfield Guineas and Maldivian in the Cox Plate.

Swick takes his overall record to 6 wins, 5 seconds and 4 thirds from 31 starts for earnings of $1,047,700.

Troubled throughout his career by knee problems, which may be one reason he loves the Flemington straight, Swick did his early racing in Sydney where he was runner-up in the South Pacific Classic (G3) and third in the Stan Fox Stakes (G2) and Darby Munro Stakes (LR).

But he hasn’t races in Sydney since finishing down the track in the 2007 Doncaster Handicap. In 13 subsequent runs he has started 11 times in Melbourne and two in Brisbane. Besides his Salinger Stakes success in 2007, his best recent performances came when second to Apache Cat in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes in February and second to El Cambio in the Group 2 Baguette Stakes on October 4.

Swick becomes the sixth Group 1 winner for Waikato Stud’s wonderfully versatile stallion O’Reilly (pictured). The son of former champion Australian sire Last Tycoon and Golden Slipper winner Courtza is having another excellent season. His son Alamosa captured the Group 1 Toorak Handicap while Master O’Reilly was a luckless fourth in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup.

Viva Pataca, starting at 22-1, was simply awesome in coming from last to win the Group Three Mission Hills Sha Tin Trophy, despite shouldering topweight of 133 pounds.

It was a performance that confirms Viva Pataca's claims as one of the best horses in Hong Kong as the history books are littered with topweighted horses who have come to grief in this race.

In six of the last seven years, for example, the winners of this race have carried 118 pounds or less, but Viva Pataca cared little for history or statistics as he charged home in astonishing time in a race where on-pace runners should have been best suited.

"I've been saying for weeks that we have never had Viva Pataca in such great physical condition and today he underlined exactly what I mean," Moore said.

"Resuming from a spell and carrying the big weight today, we knew he would run well but I can't honestly say I thought he would win with so much against him - he's not fully tuned yet.

"But despite that, he's given them all a start, given them all weight and beaten them very easily at the finish - he must have run some amazing time for his last 400 metres."

Amazing indeed, as the Jockey Club's official sectional times confirm.

The tempo was only moderate, set by outsider Gold Striker who ambled through his first 800m in 48.6 seconds, and his first 1,200m in 1:12.5.

Viva Pataca came from the tail of the field to stop the clock at 1:34.71 for the 1,600m, with a personal last 800m in 44.91 seconds and a blistering final 400m in 21.42.

This is world-class finishing speed that would match or exceed the greatest Hong Kong milers of years gone by, such as Fairy King Prawn or Electronic Unicorn.

Viva Pataca will now step straight into the Group Two Cathay Pacific International Cup Trial over 2,000m at Sha Tin on November 16, then into the HK$20 million Hong Kong Cup on December 14.

In last year's dramatic Hong Kong Cup, Viva Pataca (Michael Kinane) was nosed out of the rich prize by Frankie Dettori on Ramonti after Dettori pocketed Kinane at a crucial stage of the race.

Egyptian Ra (Eric Saint-Martin) fought on gamely to finish second after racing too fiercely in the early and middle stages, with Derek Cruz's Joy And Fun (Eddie Lai Wai-ming) running the race of his life for third. Joy and Fun was purchased through MWB after a trial win in New Zealand.

While one hero returned on top, fans of Horse of the Year Good Ba Ba will have to wait for another day as last season's champion miler found the task of carrying the big weight (133 pounds) under handicap conditions beyond him.

However, trainer Andreas Schutz and jockey Olivier Doleuze were quick to assure the gelding's legion of supporters that the real Good Ba Ba would turn up next outing in the International Mile Trial on November 23.

"He travelled quite nicely for me but when I asked him to extend in the home straight, he just couldn't do it under the big weight," Doleuze said. "He wanted to, but he was just anchored."

Schutz's review mirrored his pre-race warnings, that a first-five finish would be a satisfactory result for the champion first-up under handicap conditions - the gelding finished sixth, beaten just 2-3/4 lengths.

"The winner had a barrier trial over a mile, while our horse trialled over 1,000 metres," the trainer added.

"I still believe he's come back as well as last season, and he's being trained to peak on international day. The main thing is that the horse has come through the race well."

Doleuze was at his brilliant best on Kildare, overcoming the "impossible" inside alley in the straight 1,000-metres race by slipstreaming behind Star Legend, the horse drawn immediately outside him, for the first half of the race.

"I thought he went well first time out this season [behind Island Super] and I was delighted when Derek asked me to ride him" Doleuze added.

"I trialled him at Happy Valley and after that, I suggested to Derek that perhaps a straight race here would suit him."

Everything was moving along happily until Thursday's barrier draw when Kildare came up with the number one alley - the favoured gates are the wider ones on the straight track, especially when the rail is in the "C" position as it was yesterday.

"That was a bit of a dampener, but I took some comfort from the win of Whisky Power, which I rode up the inside part of the track at the National Day meeting," Doleuze said.

"Last season, you could not win on that part of the [straight] track but this season, for some reason, it's racing much more evenly."

Cruz purchased Kildare through New Zealand agent Michael Wallace after the O'Reilly gelding won his race debut as a 3yo over 1,400m in November last year.

The gelding raced twice, late last season, but with the benefit of his summer break has returned a much stronger animal.

Doleuze now moves to 12 wins for the season and that's only two behind Howard Cheng Yue-tin and Darren Beadman, who are sharing second spot on the jockey standings behind tearaway leader Douglas Whyte.

Kildonan being led into the birdcage today by trainer Yves Seguin and his wife, Barbara, Photo: NZ Racing News.

Kildonan went into the Listed $60,000 James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes with a juvenile win at Avondale and a victory in the Listed Geon Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie on September 2, but the big concern for trainer Yves Seguin going into today's race was the 1400 metres.

And that's exactly what Calder said counted against Kildonan in the Te Rapa feature.

Kildonan wound up third, two lengths behind the winner Fully Fledged, but Calder believes his charge can turn the tables of the Murray and Bjorn Baker-trained galloper at Riccarton.

"He wants to go 1600 now," said Calder.

"He's lovely and relaxed and he'll be a big chance at Riccarton.

"I think he can beat Fully Fledged next time."

Kildonan was snagged back to a clear last on settling today and was still a long way off the leaders coming to the home turn.

Fully Fledged also settled back and he sprinted a lot quicker than Kildonan when asked to go but the latter was doing his best work at the finish, running strongly into third.

"I always planned to pull him back at the start," said Calder.

"I didn't want to be trapped out wide all the way.

"When Fully Fledged sprinted he put two or three lengths on us and it took a while for my horse to wind up," said Calder.

"Today was the first time I've hit him and he responded well."

Seguin was happy with Kildonan's effort and he believes he was truly vulnerable at the 1400 metres.

"He's going to get beaten some day and it was better for it to happen today than at Christchurch," said Seguin.

Seguin (50) is establishing a fine strike rate with his team of horses, which currently numbers 12, and judging by the performance of Kildonan in his two public appearances the sky could be the limit.

To say Seguin is flying is something which takes of a new meaning for the 50-year-old, who arrived in New Zealand five years ago. 

Seguin was dubbed the Flying Frenchman in a tongue in cheek manner after a lucky escape from what could have been a fatal result for the talented horseman.

In June 2004 Seguin was riding back from the Cambridge track across to the stables of trainer Chris Wood when his mount was hit by a car and killed.

"I was at the back of the string and the driver obviously didn't see us," said Seguin, "The horse was killed and I was very lucky. I was thrown way up into the air and broke my collarbone and seven ribs. It could have been a lot worse."

Despite that shock start to his time in New Zealand, Seguin is loving his role as a trainer at Cambridge and working with horses of the calibre of Kildonan makes it even better.

"He's a very special horse," said Seguin, "He's got six gears."

Seguin trains Kildonan for Bruce and Maureen Harvey, after Cambridge bloodstock agent Michael Wallace purchased him for $56,000 at the 2007 NZB Ready to Run sale, when offered by Anzac Lodge.

Seguin has formed a good association with the Harveys and is held in high regard by the couple, who own Ascot Farm in Cambridge.

"He's a very good horseman and I've never heard him so bullish about a horse as he was today," said Bruce Harvey, who celebrated his 50th birthday yesterday. He said the horse would get back and watch him explode at the 200."

That's exactly what Kildonan did after being settled back by rider Andrew Calder.

Al Qurhah made the pace and was fighting well while The Diamond Knight was challenging hard.

But neither could withstand the powerful inside burst from Kildonan, who charged through to grab victory by a head.

"It was very tight trying to get through," said Calder, "But never once did I think he was in danger of not getting up. He's a very good horse."

The Diamond Knight held second by a head from Al Qurhah while the Wanganui Guineas winner Takeanotherchance stormed home wide out for a close fourth.

Making Kildonan's effort even more notable was the fact he went into the Listed 1400-metre event without a leadup race or trial.

Seguin had originally planned to start Kildonan at the Te Teko trials on August 2, but decided against it when the track was "off."

He then looked to the Ellerslie trials but they were called off, then he considered it too far to take the horse to the Ruakaka trials.

"But I wasn't worried," said Seguin, "I knew I could get him ready without a trial."

Kildonan had won his sole juvenile start by eight and a half lengths at Avondale on June 11 and had shown promise beforehand when winning at the Avondale trials.

Seguin may be relatively unknown to New Zealand racing enthusiasts, but he does not lack in experience.

Seguin now has some programming to finalise with Kildonan, whose main mission is the Gr I $1 million First Sovereign Trust NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 15.

"He'll either run next at Te Rapa (in the James and Annie Sarten Memorial) or the Wellington Guineas," said Seguin, "I'll probably take him to Te Rapa  because it's closer to home." 

Watch the Race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY6VBOjIzHU

Photo: Kenton Wright Race Images www.nzracingnews.co.nz

Rod Douglas sent more than a third of the 35 runners to Cranbourne for Monday’s trials and he came away a happy man after taking three of the five heats with three New Zealand Premier Sale purchases secured by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock, two of which had conections to MWB.

Encosta de Lago colts took out the first two heats for Douglas firstly with Intrigued, a $400,000 purchase by Dean Hawthorne, out of the Danehill mare That Kind of Girl, a full sister to Spying, the winner of the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap. 

Intrigued was a $165,000 weanling purchase by MWB for Ascot Farm, who then pinhooked the colt into the NZB Karaka Sales for a nice result.



The Hawthorne/Douglas/Munz combination was also successful with their $870,000 Karaka purchase Utmost Faith, the most expensive yearling by Encosta de Lago sold at Karaka this year, who took out the second heat of the morning. 

MWB purchased a 20% interest, for two seperate clients, in the quality colt who we considered to be one of the top three of the sale, and they can now look forward to an exciting future with their stunning colt.

Utmost Faith (pictured above as a yearling) is by Encosta de Lago out of another Danehill mare Sea of Faith, a half sister to Tully Dane (MRC McNeil Stakes GIII) out of the NZ Group one-winning mare Good Faith (ARC Sires’ Produce). The colt was bred by Mark Treloar and offered through the draft of Curraghmore Stud.

Story from www.breednet.com.au Brad Waters

Top quality Stravinsky mare Satinka has been purchased by Michael Wallace Bloodstock for Australian clients of a leading NSW Farm and will be retired to stud.

Cambridge agent Michael Wallace commented, "Satinka is a wonderful type of mare. She has proven herself as a very high quality racehorse at both two and three years, having being the second highest rated 2yo filly and then carrying on to win a further two Group Two races as a 3yo". 

Wallace added, "The beauty with her, is that she is by Stravinsky, and this offers the opportunity to access all of the leading stallions. There are two stallions under consideration at present and a desicion on a mating will be made later in the week when her owners and their bloodstock manager meet".

Satinka retires as the winner of three Group 2 races, with a further two Group 1 placings. Satinka was bred and sold by Wayne and Vicki Pike, under their Longlands Stud banner, and was trained at Wexford Stables throughout her career by Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott.

Des Gleeson described his last day officiating as chief steward at a race meeting as busy and surprisingly emotional.

Gleeson, 61, who will step down from his job as Racing Victoria's Director of Integrity Services at the end of the month, had the final event of the eight-race programme at Caulfield yesterday, won by the Colin Little-trained Pinsemtoit, named after him.

"I didn't think it would be [emotional] but it was. I had plenty of wellwishers including some who I didn't think would have the time to. [Being a steward] is something I'll miss. It's something I've enjoyed for 35 years, but more particularly the last 12 years [as chief steward].

"I've made a lot of friends in racing. Good people becoming involved and remaining involved and I hope to continue my association with them."

Pinsemtoit, by Pins, was recording her eighth city victory with a charging late run. She will step out agin at Caulfield on August 16th in Group 3 company.

The dam of Pinsemtoit, Libre, was a $14,000 purchase by MWB when carrying a full relation to Pinsemtoit.
                                                      (Libre with a full sister to Pinsemtoit)

- AAP

Propelled by some outstanding weanlings, the William Inglis Australian Select Weanling Sale concluded today with the top priced offering of the day, an Encosta de Lago colt from Charmview for $500,000. MWB was able to secure three top quality lots.

Overall, the Select Weanling Sale generated turnover of almost $7.7million, the average rising to $33,732 by the conclusion of the Select sale, representing a 31% climb on the Select Weanling Sale from 2007.

Another pleasing aspect of the sale was the overall clearance of 80%. 

Encosta De Lago (pictured below) was responsible for three of the top four lots sold today – each offered by Coolmore – while his barnmate Fastnet Rock(pictured above) was also amongst the action, with a colt from the Bluebird mare Blue Music (from the family of Golden Slipper runner-up Von Costa De Hero) the second highest priced lot of the day, going for $285,000 to Michael Wallace Bloodstock (NZ). 

“This was one of the best drafts we have ever taken to a weanling sale and we got the desired result,” Coolmore Australia General Manager Michael Kirwan said.

“We bought some really nice horses to the sale and it was very pleasing to see the strong competition for them.”

“There has been good competition across the two days and overall we are very happy with the results from the Weanling sessions in this new time slot,” Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said.

“Vendors who brought nice horses to the sale were rewarded, which was also pleasing to see.

MWB was also able to secure lot 320 a bay Colt by Rock of Gibraltar from the Sadler's Wells mare Endearment for $47,500. This colt, a first foal, with a strong European pedigree will be reoffered at  Karaka 2009.

Lot 66, a striking colt by Golden Slipper winning sire Stratum from a half sister to the top NZ sprinter Imananabaa, was a standout. This strongly built colt was secured by MWB for a NZ owner for $80,000, he will be reoffered for sale next year.

The impact of one of Europe's hottest stallions is begining to be felt in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Invincible Spirit, who stands at the Irish National Stud, and shuttled to Chatswood Stud in Victoria provided MWB with its latest winner, when Kildonan (pictured), a 2yo gelding from Game Lady was successful at the Avondale trials yesterday.

Kildonan, a $56,000 purchase by MWB, from Dean Hawthorne's Anzac Lodge, at the 2007 NZB Ready to Run sale has shown huge potential on the track, which was evident in an effortless victory. He now heads to the races, under the training eye of Cambridge based Frenchman Yves Seiguin, with Guineas Races in the spring firmly in mind.

Joy And Fun comeback offers Cruz some cheer

Glen Boss and Derek Cruz savour their ATV Cup triumph. Photos: Kenneth Chan Popular trainer Derek Cruz will smile at the courage and honesty of Joy And Fun to fightback to winning yesterday's ATV Cup (1,600m) after a nasty pre-season injury. "I'm thrilled we've been able to get him back again after what was a very serious injury," said Cruz, who has not enjoyed a vintage year, after Australian big-race specialist Glen Boss gave a copybook display to arrive on Joy And Fun as part of his Sha Tin double.  Joy and Fun was a weanling purchase for Ascot Farm, before being on sold to HK through MWB after a trial win for trainer Don Sellwood. "It has taken a long time for the horse to recover his form - all season - but he's won a nice race today and hopefully a stepping stone to something even bigger." Joy And Fun was the champion griffin of last season and looked to have the world at his feet until he suffered a fracture of his wither in August last year. Cruz finally had him back winning in Class Two, also for Boss, in March before tackling the Group horses and taking on the likes of Good Ba Ba. "He didn't win and got penalised both times for running fifth - five points each time," laughed Cruz yesterday. "Some trainers might be upset at that but I have to thank the handicapper. If Joy And Fun had not got those points to take his rating higher, he wouldn't have been eligible to run in this race today." The season still holds one more potential goal for Joy And Fun, with the Premier Cup (1,400m) on June 15 a realistic aim and Cruz has it in his sights. "I'll discuss it with the owner. If he doesn't go there then he'll have a break until next season," Cruz said. Boss said he went to the race full of confidence after the fifth behind Good Ba Ba in the Champions Mile last start. "We got held up there and I think he'd have run fourth for sure - and if you took away Good Ba Ba, he wasn't far behind the others so coming back into a handicap he was going to be hard to beat," he said. "He might not be quite up to the Good Ba Ba's but he's very honest and he really has a crack in his races."

MWB enjoyed great success at Sha Tin on Hong Kong Derby night, with two winners.
The first came from the Danny Shum trained Spring Sun, who was formally known in NZ as The Hunted. Trained in NZ by Tony Pike, The Hunted was purchased after a first up win in good style.
Spring Sun provided an impressive sprint to gather in the leaders and score a dominant victory over 1200m, a distance short of his best. We look forward to much greater levels of success with this horse in the coming season.

Later in the night came the much deserved win for Joy and Fun, trained by Mr Derek Cruz. After missing a start in the Hong Kong Derby it was fitting to see last seasons Champion Griffin, score a strong victory.

The Karaka 2008 sales finished with records being broken accross the board. The domestic buying strength was again continued showing the continued growth of our racing and breeding industry.
MWB was able to secure a number of yearlings, highlighted by the Elvstroem colt out of the ZAbeel mare My Capri. Purchased from Trelawney Stud for $210,000 this colt has been syndicated privately, and has entered the stable of Australia's leading trainer Lee Freedman.

From the premier sale, we were able to purchase a Scardee Cat colt out of Cream Anglaise, making the colt a half brother to G1 performer Swick.
An O'Reilly colt from Reputedly was also secured. His half brother Stickpin has just hit form with Stakes race victories which we hope he can continue.

The Select sale brought about the purchase of a One Cool Cat filly, from Our Charmer. MWB had purchased her half sister last year and she has shown plenty of promise.
Also purchased was a nice staying colt from Cambridge Stud. By Viking Ruler this colt is a half brother to Sunray.

In assosiation with Badgers Bloodstock, we were also able to secure a Hussonet filly, from the Zabeel mare Fibber Magee for $140,000. 
Three colts were also purchased fro a group of South Island clients, including a Keeper colt from Dormello Stud for $72,500, a Danzero colt from Trelawney for $150,000 and a One Cool Cat colt for $110,000.

We look forward to the coming seasons when these yearlings reach the race track.

It seems as if there is nothing Flying Spur can’t achieve this season. The former Golden Slipper winner has chalked up the titles of Leading Australian Sire, Leading 2YO Australian Sire, Sire of the Greatest Number of Individual Stakes Winners (16), Sire of the Greatest Number of Graded Stakes Winners (10), and Sire of the Greatest Number of Group 1 winners (4 – equal to Redoute’s Choice).

On Saturday, Flying Spur also passed the agical “$10m in seasonal earnings” target – an earnings record achieved only five times previously: by fellow Arrowfield stallion Redoute’s Choice ($11.09 million), and Danehill ($11.43 million) and Zabeel ($10.79 million).

It was fitting that Flying Spur topped the $10 million mark with yet another stakes winner (his 57th overall) - Maslin’s Beach (Flying Spur – New Acquaintance (NZ) by King’s Island (IRE)) - who secured victory in the $100,000 Listed STC Guineas (1600m) at Caloundra on Saturday.

An ever consistent sire, last season Flying Spur hinted at what was to come when he secured the title of the nation’s leading sire of individual winners (131). This season Flying Spur has sired 16 stakes winners for 23 stakes wins, as well as 12 individual winners in Hong Kong. Sire of 10 Group 1 winners to date, his 4 Group 1 winners this season are Forensics (Golden Slipper), Sleek Chassis (Blue Diamond), Mentality (Randwick Guineas) and Magnus (The Galaxy). 

MWB was able to purchase a Flying Spur yearling at the Melbourne Premier yearling sale, which will be reoffered by his new owners MDJ Bloodstock at the National Ready to Run Sale in November.

Flying Spur will stand the 2007 season at Arrowfield for a fee of $99,000.

Waikato's Brighthill Farm will be welcoming a selection of high-profile mares from Australia to support its latest stallion acquisition, Perfectly Ready (AUS) (More Than Ready x Elle Duccio by Danehill).

Brighthill Farm will stand the Australian group one-winning sprinter on behalf of his owners, Dr Tom Simon, of Vinery Stud, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum.

"Vinery Stud and Sheikh Khalifa will retain a strong ownership in him, but there will be a small number of shares available," said Nick King, who along with his wife, Ann-Marie, own Tauwhare-based Brighthill Farm.

"They plan to support him with 10 mares the first year and the resultant progeny will be taken back to Australia.

"It will be great exposure for the stallion and exciting times for us."

Brighthill Farm secured Perfectly Ready (AUS) with the assistance of bloodstock agents Michael Wallace, Cambridge and Grant Pritchard-Gordon of Badgers Bloodstock.

In a trail of negotiations which began six weeks ago, Nick King finalised the deal to introduce Perfectly Ready (AUS) to the New Zealand market when attending last week's Sydney Easter Yearling Sales.

"This is the perfect horse for New Zealand right now," King told NZ Racing News.

"With the Karaka Million two-year-old race now a focus for most breeders he slots in perfectly with what breeders will be looking for.

"They want an Aussie sprinter and to land a genuine group one sprinter is a great result for us.

"He was a very good racehorse and he looks exactly like what you'd expect a sprinting sire to look like.

"He's a very good looking horse and he's out of a Danehill mare which is important to breeders."

Perfectly Ready (AUS) will be the first son of Vinery Stud's shuttler More Than Ready (USA) to stand at stud in New Zealand and the second son in Australasia with Vinery Stud already being the home of his Gr I VRC Derby winner Benicio.

"We would dearly love to have Perfectly Ready at Vinery this year, but we have More Than Ready, Benicio and another Southern Halo in Dubleo so we felt he would not get the opportunities he so deserves," said Vinery studmaster Peter Orton.

"Furthermore I have always believed New Zealand is the ideal place to stand him as his racetrack performance, conformation and pedigree will suit perfectly."

Perfectly Ready (AUS) won his juvenile debut at Moonee Valley and followed with a win in the Gr III MRC Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) before finishing third in the Gr I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).

He trained on as a three-year-old to run second in the Gr I MVRC Manikato Stakes and was taken to Dubai for the Gr I Golden Shaheen Stakes (1200m).

In his first start back from Dubai he was an impressive winner of the Gr I AJC Goodwood Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville.

Freshened after the Goodwood triumph he had five starts as a four-year-old in the early stages of this season with the highlight being his win in the Gr III MRC Harrolds 101 Stakes (1400m).

In total, Perfectly Ready (AUS) recorded four wins and four placings in 15 stakes races, and stakes earnings of $A685,650.

Perfectly Ready's (AUS) sire, More Than Ready (USA), has been represented by more than 220 winners and 32 stakeswinners.

Perfectly Ready (AUS)  is from Elle Duccio (AUS) (by Danehill), a winner over 1000 metres in Australia and the dam of three winners.

More importantly El Duccio (AUS) is a half-sister to the Gr I Golden Slipper winner Belle Du Jour (AUS), who was the top filly on the 1999-2000 Australasian 2YO Classification .

When looking further back in Perfectly Ready's (AUS) maternal side it could be said he is returning home to his roots as he is from James and Annie Sarten's famous Belle family.

Elle Duccio (AUS) is from the Gr II VATC Memsie Stakes winner Delightful Belle (NZ) (10 wins), who is by Balmerino (NZ) from the smart three-year-old filly Kashmir Belle (NZ) .

Delightful Belle (NZ) has been a most prolific broodmare, leaving 10 winners with Belle Du Jour (AUS) being the star as winner of not only the Gr I Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) but also the Gr I VRC Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and four other group races.

Perfectly Ready (AUS) is due to arrive in New Zealand in a fortnight and will stand at Brighthill Farm alongside Ustinov (AUS)  and St Petersburg (AUS).

Brighthill Farm Sires	2007 Fees
Perfectly Ready (AUS) (More Than Ready)	$12,000 plus GST
Ustinov (AUS) (Seeking The Gold)	$8,000 plus GST
St Petersburg (AUS) (Nureyev)	$4,500 plus GST

The powerful Hong Kong Breeders' Club has bought a large share-holding in leading Central Districts thoroughbred sire Towkay (AUS) (Last Tycoon x Princess Tracy by Ahonoora).

The deal, for a substantial undisclosed sum, was finalized on Friday when Hong Kong Breeders Club co-founder Peter Yip visited Little Avondale Stud at Masterton, where Towkay (AUS) is based.   

The deal was negotiated by Michael Wallace Bloodstock, Cambridge, along with Badgers Bloodstock in England.

Yip said Towkay (AUS) had become very well known as a sire in Hong Kong through the deeds of his son, Armada (NZ), who won the Group 1 HK$8 million Hong Kong Stewards Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin racecourse in January and was Hong Kong's most improved horse of 2006.

'Armada is a special horse in Hong Kong and has a big following. Towkay has done very well with his off-spring in Hong Kong and I'm sure that a number of Hong Kong owners will send their broodmares to him after they hear that our breeders'club is now among his share-holders,' Yip said.

The Hong Kong Breeders Club was launched two years ago with the goal of encouraging breeders in Hong Kong to enjoy breeding horses as a hobby as well as a profitable investment. The club's other co-founders include Richard Hui and Paul Kan and two other family groups.

The club now has interests in more than 10 stallions worldwide and owns more than 100 broodmares. Yip said the club will be supporting Towkay (AUS) with a number of mares at stud this year.

The Hong Kong Breeders Club also has interests in Highview Stud, Hamilton, sires Johar (USA) and Danroad (AUS) ,while its Australian stallion interests include Starcraft (NZ) , Lucky Owners (NZ), Danbird (AUS) and God's Own (AUS). The club also has partnerships with studs in England and Kentucky where its stallion interests include Rakti, Whipper, Grand Central and Motivator.

Towkay, who has sired more than 70 individual winners including seven stakes-winners, is the fourth leading sire in Hong Kong this year trailing no less than Danehill, Fusaichi Pegasus and Zabeel. Last year the son of Last Tycoon was the leading sire (by average earnings) in Hong Kong with five or more runners.

Towkay has also sired another Group 1 winner, Ambitious Owner, who performed well in Hong Kong as Happee Owner.

Other stakes winners sired by Towkay to date are Kay's Awake, Starkay, Rapid Kay, Lotzatow and Opiki.

Sam Williams of Little Avondale Stud said there had been a lot of interest from overseas parties in buying Towkay (AUS) over the past 12 months.

 'Earlier we had offers from two groups in South Africa and a stud in Australia but had he been purchased by them he would have been lost to the New Zealand industry which would have been a real pity,'he said.

'This way he will continue to be available to New Zealand breeders and that's very important to the partnership which owns him,' Williams said. His fee this year has been increased to $10,000 plus gst.

Carnegie 3yo gelding Andrew's Gold is been touted as a rising star of racing in Singapore. Despite only having raced four times, Andrew's Gold has shown considerable potential in recording two victories, and further impressive placings to date. 
By Carneige, Andrew's Gold is from an incredible international blacktype family. His dam Goldsumone is a half sister to the G1 Belmont Stakes winner in Summing. She is also a half sister to the Group winners Onesome, Twosome and Some for All, in total there are close to thirty individual black type performers in the second dam, recorded in America, Canada, England, Ireland and Dubai. Andrew's Gold was a AU$175,000 yearling purchase.
Goldsumone herself has left the Austalian Black type winner in Enthusiast, who has recorded 10 victories. 
Goldsumone was purchased by Jim and Mary Wallace, on the advise of MWB at the 2004 Easter Broodmare sale for $50,000, with Enthusiast having won his sole maiden race.
Prior to Andrew's Gold running, MWB was able to secure a half share in Goldsumone for Canadian clients David and Catherine Vickerman, with this their first broodmare.
Goldsumone has produced a yearling filly by Dubai Destination and has a Refuse to Bend filly at foot. She was mated with Stravinsky in 2006. 
The partnership, and MWB, will be paying close attention to the progress of Andrew's Gold, as he progresses to blacktype company.

Michael Wallace Bloodstock reports that the top class New Zealand two-year-old filly from last season, Italia, is destined to do her future racing in Australia after being purchased last week on behalf of Melbourne-based business Ultra Thoroughbred Racng.

But she will firstly remain in the Christchurch stable of trainer Shane Kennedy to follow the traditional fillies spring black-type path culminating in the Gr 1 NZ One Thousand Guineas at Riccarton on November 11.  Italia steps out in her new colours for the first time this Saturday in the Listed Wanganui Fillies’ Stakes, $50,000, 1200m.

At this stage, an Australian trainer has not been assigned for the balance of her racing career.

Italia (Stravinsky-Capote Crossing, by Capote) was joint second topweight filly on the New Zealand 2YO Free Handicap of 2005-06.  Never finishing worse than fourth, Italia won three of her six races including the Gr 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Trentham and New Zealand’s richest race for two-year-olds, the 2YO Classique at Te Rapa. 

At her most recent start, last March, she was considered unlucky in the Gr 1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes.  Taken back from the unfavourable outside barrier draw, she just failed to beat the top colt  Joker’s Wild who began his second season in impressive winning fashion at Hastings last Saturday.

By Stravinsky, sire of outstanding fillies Serenade Rose, Plagiarise, Ballet Society and La Sizeranne, Italia belongs to a renowned international family.  Her grandam is a half-sister to Fall Aspen, USA Broodmare of the Year from whom descend the likes of Dubai Millennium, Timber Country, Mehthaaf, Elnadim and Bianconi.

Top Encosta de Lago sprinter, Manten, showed he is set for a big spring with his commanding victory in the First Sovereign Sprint. With Mark Hills in the saddle, the Rogerson/Autridge trained gelding showed a fantastc turn of foot turning for home coasting to a 1-1/2 length win. It made for a winning double for Hills, who gained victory on the Stravinsky mare, Fiorenza in the preceeding race. In a driving finish, Hills was able to gain victory in a perfectly timed run. A close eye will be kept on Fiorenza, as MWB purchased her dam Ferdnands Flower in foal to Savabeel, in a private deal earlier in the year.