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.

Brighthill Farm have announced they will stand More Than Ready's (USA) Gr.1 winning son Perfectly Ready (AUS) in 2007.

"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.