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Beat The Clock breaks G1 hoodoo and delivers Mitchell Bloodstock a win

Written by
5 min read
John Size-trained sprinter Beat The Clock has endured a frustrating run-of-outs at top level but was too good in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup on what was a big day for ready to run graduates

Burgeoning bloodstock team Bill and James Mitchell celebrated a G1 win together as Mitchell Bloodstock when Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook) finally broke through at top level in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin.

Bill Mitchell was an 11-time G1-winning trainer before retiring to take a role as racing manager at Segenhoe Stud in 2006 and then joining forces with his son to form Mitchell Bloodstock.

Beat The Clock first caught Mitchell's experienced eye as a yearling but he wasn't able to get hold of him until the 2015 Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs.

Beat The Clock as a 2YO

Merrick Chung, a long-time owner with Mitchell in his time as a trainer, paid $200,000 for the athletic bay that has now collected more than HKD$22 million.

"Hinchinbrook was really starting to hit his straps at that time and when Beat The Clock turned up at the sale I really liked the look of him." - Bill Mitchell

"I loved him as a yearling, we couldn't get him that day, but we got him at the Ready To Run," Mitchell said. "Hinchinbrook was really starting to hit his straps at that time and when Beat The Clock turned up at the sale I really liked the look of him. "

"He was 3x3 Danehill (USA), but he didn't look like it, he wasn't your classic heavy-set Danehill. He was a bit lightly boned and more athletic. I really loved Hinchinbrook as a sire," Mitchell added of the young sire that sadly died mid-way through last year.

Bill and James Mitchell at the recent Magic Millions Sale

Bridesmaid no more for Beat The Clock

Beat The Clock had been a G1 bridesmaid twice, including a heart-breaking defeat to Beauty Generation (NZ)(Road To Rock) in last year's G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup.

"He has been knocking on the door, that is a really good group of sprinters in Hong Kong and there is nothing between those top three, so we were just hoping he could nail a G1," Mitchell said. "He went through his grades impressively and has been knocking on the door at top level. I am just so pleased. The owner has been a client of mine since I was a young trainer and he has had plenty of nice horses. He races quite a few horses here, but it is the aim to get things to Hong Kong and now we have landed a big one."

Size and Moreira break their own duck

Beat The Clock not only broke his own G1 hoodoo but also gave the celebrated combination of trainer John Size and jockey Joao Moreira their first international G1 together.

Beat The Clock, with Moreira aboard, was narrowly beaten by Beauty Generation in the 2018 G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, one of four G1 placings for the G2 winner. Yet snapping an even longer G1 streak was the "Dream Team 2.0" combination of Size and Moreira, who joined forces on a more formal basis this term when the Brazilian was indentured as the leading stable's retained rider.

The duo had won 218 Hong Kong races together before Sunday's win, including six G3 wins, four G2s and a HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile, but had never broken through at top level.

Joao Moreira aboard Beat The Clock returning to scale after their G1 win

Beat The Clock boasts arguably the biggest final 400m sprint in Hong Kong racing and given the chance in a suitably run race, he proved too strong in the stretch run for Mr Stunning (Exceed And Excel) and Winner's Way (Starcraft {NZ}).

Southern hemisphere-bred runners continued their dominance of Hong Kong sprint races with seven Australian or New Zealand-bred runners in the eight-horse field filling the first seven placings.

Tried and true success for ready to run graduates

Asian buyers are always front and centre at ready to run sales and Beat The Clock proved that there are top quality prospects available.

Trainer Manfred Man is a fan of ready to run sales and his early double came from horses secured at tried 2-year-old sales on both sides of the Tasman.

Man started the day when Care Free Prince (Street Sense {USA}), a $200,000 buy from the 2014 Inglis Ready2Race Sale edged out Picken (Duporth) in a photo. In the following race Man's in-form Ever Laugh (Savabeel) brought up a back-to-back wins with a tidy Class Four win that took the 5-year-old's earnings over the HKD$1million mark.

Pin-hooked and prepared by Sam Beatson at Riversley Park, Ever Laugh was a NZ$220,000 purchase from New Zealand Bloodstock's 2015 Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs sale.

A new Derby challenger emerges

New Zealand import Ho Ho Khan (Makfi {GB}) emerged from humble beginnings as a left-field HKG1 Hong Kong Derby contender with a commanding Class 2 win. Ho Ho Khan, formerly known as Mulanchi, was passed-in with a reserve of NZ$65,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs before winning a Taupo maiden with trainer Tony Pike.

Purchased by a group led by glamorous celebrity owner Jessica Lee and placed in the capable hands of trainer David Hall, Ho Ho Khan rose from a rating of 71 at the start of this season to 82 after two straight wins.

Ho Ho Khan (Mulanchi) as a 2YO

A third straight victory over 1800m will put Ho Ho Khan's rating around 90 which should ensure a run in the HKG1 Classic Cup over the same course and distance on February 18 and ultimately the HKG1 Hong Kong Derby a month later.

Leading Australian-bred Hong Kong Derby contenders Dark Dream (All American) and Furore (Pierro), both trained by Frankie Lor, will meet some of Hong Kong's rising stars in the first leg of the 4-year-old series next weekend in the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile.

Bad news for rivals after Beauty Generation goes beast mode in Stewards' Cup

Written by
3 min read
Beauty Generation has won his last three races by a combined nine lengths but jockey Zac Purton says the New Zealand-bred superstar is still in cruise control

There were two pieces of bad news for the connections of Hong Kong milers not named Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) after the reigning horse of the year monstered his over-matched rivals with another easy victory – his sixth straight – in the G1 Stewards' Cup at Sha Tin.

The first part of bad news was from jockey Zac Purton at the post-race press conference, he claimed Beauty Generation has some improvement left in him, and the second was from trainer John Moore, who suggested his 6-year-old would focus on Hong Kong's all-time prize money record.

That first claim from Purton is astonishing considering Beauty Generation has now won each of his last three starts by three lengths, doing it in blistering times and with the impression that the gelding's massive engine is merely idling.

"He was pretty much in cruise control and enjoying his time there up the straight. There was a bit more there." - Jockey, Zac Purton

Watch: Beauty Generation's win in the G1 Stewards' Cup

"He was pretty much in cruise control and enjoying his time there up the straight," Purton said. "There was a bit more there." John Size-trained 5-year-old Conte (Starcraft {NZ}) had been spruiked as a possible challenger after winning seven of his nine starts but was left in Beauty Generation's wake, along with Southern Legend (Not A Single Doubt) and Pakistan Star (Ger)(Shamardal {USA}).

Overseas targets?

The question has already been asked many times of Moore, Purton and owner Patrick Kwok: when will Beauty Generation take on the world? Well, the second piece of bad news was that, for now at least, Beauty Generation would stay at Sha Tin.

Zac Purton and Beauty Generation

The G1 Dubai Turf had been talked about as a possible option, and in theory it remains so, but the gelding's next goal is a second straight G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup on February 17 and a rematch with Sunday's other G1 winner Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook).

Moore indicated post-race that if Beauty Generation did travel this season, if at all, it would be after the lucrative domestic schedule had been completed with a shot at a second G1 Champions Mile, worth HKD$18m.

The Stewards' Cup first prize cheque of HKD$5.7m took Beauty Generation to $66,387,500 and past Moore's recent stars Able Friend (Shamardal {USA}) at HKD$61.3m and Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) at HKD$62,.8m.

Beauty Generation

Now another of Moore's former stars is in Beauty Generation's sights: all-time leader Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}) at HKD$83,197,500. The Kwok family, owners of the Sasa cosmetics chain that is ubiquitous in Hong Kong as the family's various black-and-pink silks are on the track, had success earlier in the day when Full Of Beauty (Darci Brahma {NZ}) made it two-from-two.

The John Size-Joao Moreira combination is formidable enough but when they team with a John Foote Bloodstock purchase like Full Of Beauty it pays to take note. Foote found Full Of Beauty at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2016 Premier yearling Sale for $120,000.

Full Of Beauty's win was one of four for Moreira and three for Size on a day when Australian or New Zealand-bred runners won nine of the 10 races.

Carlaw couple in a league of their own

Written by
4 min read
Nick Fairweather and Nicole Brown are kicking goals in the best family tradition, although the couple are achieving their targets in the sales ring opposed to the rugby field.

Nick Fairweather and Nicole Brown sold their first Book 1 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale 12 months ago and have another quality top-end consignment to present when business gets underway at Karaka next Sunday.

They are based on the outskirts of Cambridge at Carlaw Park, an operation which takes its name from the Auckland stadium that primarily hosted rugby league, up to Test match level, before its closure in the early 2000s.

“Nicole’s grandmother’s partner Des White is one of New Zealand’s immortal rugby league players. On my side my Dad played at Carlaw Park,” Fairweather said.

“When we were thinking of a name it seemed to be really appropriate for us.” – Nick Fairweather.

“When we were thinking of a name it seemed to be really appropriate for us.

Nick Fairweather and Nicole Brown

“The property is owned by Nicole’s parents Peter and Roslyn Brown and we’re the front people of the business, which leases the property back off them. We’ve got 60 acres on Kaipaki Road toward the Ohaupo end.

“The guy that owned it before was into standardbreds and had post and railed it all so a lot of it was done when we walked in.

“We’re in full swing and it’s a perfect set-up, ideal for preparing yearlings.” – Nick Fairweather.

“There’s 20 colt yards set up since then we’ve built a 12-box barn. We’re in full swing and it’s a perfect set-up, ideal for preparing yearlings.”

Peter and Roslyn Brown with Nicole and Nick

That was always the couple’s goals and it came to fruition sooner than they had expected.

“We always wanted to do it, but we thought we would have to wait three or four years to get established and we would specialise in spelling racehorses.

“In the first year we got offered some nice horses to prepare so we decided to take the plunge and it worked out really well.” – Nick Fairweather.

“We wanted to do things really well and yearlings were on our list. In the first year we got offered some nice horses to prepare so we decided to take the plunge and it worked out really well.”

Carlaw Park is the perfect set up for preparing yearlings

At Karaka 2018, Carlaw Park offered four yearlings with a top price of NZ$130,000 for an Ocean Park (NZ) filly who caught the eye of Darren Weir.

“We’ve got 10 in Book 1 and we strictly only want to do Book 1 yearlings,” Fairweather said.

“We’ve built up some good relationships from previous jobs we’ve been in and we’ve got two for Sir Patrick Hogan.

“Marcus Corban has always been a big help and been influential in getting Sir Patrick on board.” – Nick Fairweather.

“Marcus Corban has always been a big help and been influential in getting Sir Patrick on board. I also used to work for him for several years so we’re in a very fortunate position.

“We’re also doing one for Lindsay de Souza and one for Maryanne and George Simon. We’re pretty lucky.

“Nicole and I pinhook weanlings as well, we’ve done that for the last five or six years and had some good success.”

Fairweather said they could have taken a larger draft to Karaka, but were adamant keeping numbers small was their selling point.

“We can put more effort into them with that number and we’ve always said that’s the maximum.” – Nick Fairweather.

“We can put more effort into them with that number and we’ve always said that’s the maximum.

Lot 443 Tavistock (NZ) x Stylish Bell (AUS)

“They are a terrific lineup and I don’t think anyone would have any qualms when I say the Tavistock out of Stylish Bel (Lot 443), a half-brother to Beauty Generation, is a stand-out. He’s owned by Peter Woods, Donna Logan’s husband.

View Lot 443

“There’s a three-quarter brother (Lot 124) to Turn Me Loose and the Dundeel colt (Lot 358) is a stand-out on type.”

View Lot 124
View Lot 358

Fairweather said the market was a difficult one to forecast.

“It’s going to be very interesting and I don’t think anyone could say they were confident heading in. The Ready to Run Sale was very tough and Magics went through the roof.

“We’re lucky to be in our second year selling at Book 1 again and we just want to be seen as a boutique establishment with the focus on quality.”

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Undefeated colt keeps Diamond dream alive

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

A colt bought at the lower end of the market is on target to challenge his higher-priced counterparts in next month’s $1.5 million G1 Blue Diamond S.

The unbeaten Free Of Debt (Unencumbered) isn’t among the entries for the Caulfield 2-year-old feature, but another bold showing in three weeks’ time will persuade his connections to part with a $55,000 late nomination fee.

The youngster continues to put forward a compelling argument for his inclusion after backing up a debut win on his home track at Morphettville with a dashing, if wayward, win in the Duane Rogers Plate at Flemington.

“He had some handy horses behind in Adelaide and again at Flemington so he deserves his chance,” trainer Chris Bieg said.

“We’ll have a go at the Prelude and see how he handles Caulfield.” – Chris Bieg.

“We’ll have a go at the Prelude and see how he handles Caulfield. If he runs well again we’ll go to the Blue Diamond.

“I’ve had the vet go over him and he’s got the tick of approval from him, the horse has pulled up super. I’ll take him home and back to his normal surroundings and then come back.

“Travelling can really smarten young horses up and it would be a dream to have him in the Blue Diamond.”

Free Of Debt was bought out of Phoenix Broodmare Farm’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale draft for $30,000 with the colt’s syndicate of owners including his wife Sherisa and his pedigree advisor Ryan Beens.

“Ryan’s a mate from our primary school days and he’s very good on the bloodstock side of things.” – Chris Bieg.

“Ryan’s a mate from our primary school days and he’s very good on the bloodstock side of things,” Bieg said. “That’s his passion.”

“He produces a list leading into the yearlings sales and we don’t have big budgets so we get what we can.

“This colt ticked all the boxes on breeding and he’s a beautiful mover and a really athletic sort.

“It’s pretty exciting. I drove over on Thursday with Ryan and a couple of the other owners and we were talking about the Blue Diamond and then after the race we’re in the winners’ bar talking about it again.”

Free Of Debt with his connections after his Flemington win

Smart investments

Two prime examples of their successful buying strategy have been with $19,000 Inglis Weanling Sale buy Excites Zelady (Excites), a multiple stakes winner who won more than $550,000, and Dashitude (Dash For Cash).

He was plucked out of the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale for $5500 and won seven times up to Listed level to bank nearly $240,000.

Free Of Debt is the fourth winner from as many to the races for his dam Stagerush (Giant’s Causeway {IRE}), who is from the family of the Group 1 winners and successful sires Scenic (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) and Rainbow Quest (USA) (Blushing Groom {FR}).

He made all the running on Saturday and, despite ducking and diving in the closing stages, he still proved far superior and in the process provided jockey Jake Toeroek with his first Melbourne city winner.

“He didn’t quite know what he was doing in front and went in and out, but he was still too good.” – Jake Toeroek.

“He didn’t quite know what he was doing in front and went in and out, but he was still too good,” he said.

“Chris has stuck by me and kept putting me on when times were tough.”

Free Of Debt accounted for the raging favourite Viking Warrior (Fastnet Rock), who chased gamely but never looked likely to reel in the front-running winner.

“The winner took him out of his comfort zone and he got a bit lost,” co-trainer David Hayes said.

“I’d like to get him around a bend and he might be a 1400 metre horse. I’m sure he’s going to win a lot of races.”

Gollan shelves Million plan with flying filly

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Tony Gollan will err on the side of caution and has ruled out a trip to New Zealand with his gifted filly Epaumada (Epaulette).

The leading Queensland trainer had given consideration to a crack at next Saturday’s Karaka Million at Ellerslie, but has decided against the venture.

That will have connections of 2-year-olds who are border-line to make the field breathing a touch easier as Epaumada was guaranteed a start after banking $42,700 from her dashing victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Gollan said it would be detrimental to the youngster’s future to undertake such a venture to Auckland at this stage of her development.

“Much as I would love to have a runner in the race, we’ve made the decision not to take her over.” – Tony Gollan

“Much as I would love to have a runner in the race, we’ve made the decision not to take her over.

“The timing isn’t right and it would be too much for the filly. We’ve got to look after her and not run the risk of ruining her career however far that might be.”

A half-sister to the Listed Lightning S. winner Bandipur (Commands), Epaumada was purchased out of the Karaka draft of Monovale Farm for NZ$165,000 a year ago and is a daughter of the winning Viscount mare Pattamada.

View Epaumada pedigree

Group 1 pedigree

She is a sister to the G1 Queen of the Turf S. winner Neroli and the dam of the G1 Auckland Cup winner Magic Chai (Magic Albert). Also in the family ranks is the G1 TJ Smith S. winner Benfica (Lonhro).

Monovale Farm will be offering Epaumada’s half-sister (Lot 285) by Proisir during the Book 1 session at Karaka on January 28.

View Lot 285

Epaumada has now won both of her starts, having led all the way to win on debut at Gatton and at Eagle Farm she sat in second spot to the turn and when shaken up by rider Brad Stewart glided clear in the straight.

“We’ll give her a little break now and then set her for the winter carnival here.” – Tony Gollan.

“We’ll give her a little break now and then set her for the winter carnival here,” Gollan said. “She’s going to improve a lot, she’s a November foal.”

Watch: Epaumada as a yearling

Epaumada won the opening event and the stable book-ended the meeting with the progressive Brains (Stryker) winning the closing Benchmark 80 event.

The 4-year-old powered down the outside of the track to complete a hat-trick of wins and remain unbeaten in his summer preparation.

“He was there to be beaten after he got blocked in and won really well.” – Tony Gollan.

“He was there to be beaten after he got blocked in and won really well. He’s improved out of sight,” Gollan said.

“We’ll keep putting him through his grades and he’ll be better over a mile. There’s another race for him in three weeks’ time.

He is a son of Absolute Harmony (Redoute’s Choice), who is a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner Éclair Choice (California Dane) with the second dam the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Burst (Marauding).

Trainer Tony Gollan

Plenty more to come

Brains has now won six of his 17 starts and his trainer is expecting the gelding to make his mark in stronger company in time.

“He’s got a really good future and he’s nowhere near his ceiling yet,” Gollan said.

“He has made a great leap from a 3-year-old and he’s a tough and versatile horse.

“He’s big and strong, very tractable and an easy horse to train. I really like him, there’s a lot of upside and we might look at something early in the winter carnival for him.”

Black-Type Results - January 19

Included are black-type results from Ascot 19/01/2018 that were not included in last night's edition of TDN AusNZ due to missing the data feed cut-off from Arion.

Listed Miss Andretti S., Ascot

Race Summary:

Misty Metal (Oratorio) has been in sparkling form this summer and she added this feature to her record at Ascot.

A previous winner of the Listed Furphy Summer Scorcher, the 4-year-old is a noted on pace runner and similar tactics were employed on the mare by regular rider Sean McGruddy.

The Robert and Todd Harvey-trained runner drew clear in the straight for a comfortable victory at the expense of Belter (Denman) and The Celt (Planet Five (USA).

Pedigree Notes :

Out of Rubitawny (Rubiton), Misty Metal is a grand-daughter of the Listed York S. winner Kentiara (Metal Storm {FR}).

The mother of the G3 Maurice McCarten S. winner Kencella (Exceed And Excel), she is a sister to the G2 Western Australian Guineas and G3 Royal Heroine S. winner Kalatiara.

It is a family that has been on the move in recent times with the pedigree featuring the G1 Kingston Town Classic winner Arcadia Queen (Pierro) and her G2 Western Australia Derby winning half-sister Arcadia Dream (Domesday).

Pedigree Boosters - Karaka

2 min read

In the build up to the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, we will pick out three yearlings each day who have had substantial pedigree updates in the past couple of months.

Today, we look at a filly closely related to a top performer in Singapore, a colt whose family has been updated from several contributors and a filly who has been done multiple favours by a quality mare in Perth.

Lot 506 Shamexpress (NZ) x Very Musical (IRE) Offered by Windsor Park Stud

View Lot 506

Close relative Elite Invincible (IRE) (Archacharch {USA}) provided a significant addition to the pedigree from afar when he powered to victory in the G1 Singapore Gold Cup.

This filly’s half-brother Stratocaster (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}) has also been doing his utmost with three wins from his last five appearances with their dam a half-sister to the G1 Belmont Matron S. winner Sense Of Style (USA) (Thunder Gulch {USA}).

Lot 506 Shamexpress (NZ) x Very Musical (IRE)

Lot 622 Tavistock (NZ) x Capital Diamond (NZ) Offered by Cambridge Stud

View Lot 622

This youngster has a pedigree that has enjoyed multiple updates and is a half-brother to the talented sprinter Gift Of Power (NZ) (Power {GB}), a multiple black type winner whose last success came in the Listed Levin S.

Further boosts have been provided in recent times with family members Queen Of Diamonds (NZ) (Savabeel) winning the G3 Eulogy S., Mongolian Marshal (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE}) claiming the G3 Waikato Gold Cup and True Excelsior (Exceed And Excel) placing in the G3 Standish H.

Watch: Lot 662 Tavistock (NZ) x Capital Diamond (NZ)

Lot 682 No Nay Never (USA) x Di Falco Offered (NZ) by Highden Park

View Lot 682

Close relative Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park) has been doing the business in style in Perth with success in the G3 La Trice Classic and the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic.

Out of the unraced Zabeel (NZ) mare Di Falco (NZ), this is also the family of recent winner Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), who is considered by trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood to be a stakes winner in waiting.

Lot 682 No Nay Never (USA) x Di Falco (NZ)

Daily News Wrap

6 min read

Birchley looking to bag third Million

Neptune’s Spear (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) is bidding to give Liam Birchley a third Karaka Million title and the Eagle Farm trainer has been thrilled with how the colt has settled into his new environment.

The youngster will get a sight of Ellerslie with a gallop there on Monday morning.

“He travelled over well and has thrived since he has been here,” Birchley said.

“The chance to have a look around Ellerslie is a real bonus and one we are keen to take.

“He can have a good hit-out there which will top him off nicely for the race.”

Neptune's Spear as a yearling

Birchley has previously won the Karaka Million with Sister Havana (NZ) (General Nediym) in 2010 and Hardline(NZ) (Showcasing {NZ}) in 2015 while Sarge In Charge (NZ) (Golan {IRE}) was runner-up in 2009.

“We have had some luck in the race and we’re always on the look-out for horses we think will suit,” he said.

“Neptune’s Spear is one we identified early on and then we have just tried to provide an opportunity for him to earn his way into the field.”

A debut victory and a runner-up finish at his only other appearance safely nailed down a berth.

Birchley purchased Neptune’s Spear for NZ$140,000 out of the draft of Hallmark Stud where Super Easy is resident.

The stallion will be represented at the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale with six individuals in Book 2 and a further two in Book 3.

Clark on exciting colt

Gary Portelli has booked Tim Clark to ride Time To Reign (Time For War) when the colt steps out at the Warwick Farm trials on Tuesday.

He has the youngster on a path toward the G1 Golden Slipper S., the 2-year-old feature he won with his half-sister She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain) in 2017.

Portelli has also confirmed that Clark will partner Time To Reign, who is unbeaten in two appearances, when he resumes at Warwick Farm on February 9.

Time To Reign

“Tim Clark has the ride for the trial and the Lonhro Plate,” Portelli said.

“He was originally going to trial at Randwick on Thursday because these trials were not programmed, but it's good he will be able to do this on his home track which is where he will be running first-up.

“The colt has done well after a break and hopefully wins first-up and then goes to the Silver Slipper where he is likely to meet Tassort and then we will see how good he is.”

Godolphin colt Tassort (Brazen Beau) is the Slipper favourite ahead of his stablemate Exhilarates (Snitzel), the winner of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

No decision on Millennium start

A start in the $2 million Inglis Millennium is in the balance for Vincere Volare (I Am Invincible).

She will have a jump-out at Doomben on January 29 and trainer Tony Gollan will then make a call on her participation.

“I think she would be a good chance in the race, but it is a bit soon for her. She did win at 1200 metres but this would be better company,” Gollan said.

“I am not saying she won't start, but she would need to show me something in the jump-out to be a sure starter.”

Vincere Volare was a $300,000 buy at the Inglis Sydney Easter Sale for Aquis Farm and Gollan and is out of a half-sister to the G2 Silver Slipper winner Amelia’s Dream (Redoute’s Choice).

“I have to look to her future and her overall autumn chances. I have an opinion of her, but the $2 million in prize money is certainly tempting,” Gollan said.

Vincere Volare was a runaway winner on debut at Doomben in November.

First for stallion

Canford Cliffs (IRE) sired his first winner in New Zealand when Vee Cece was successful at Te Rapa.

Trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman for Scott Richardson, she sat in behind the pace and once into the clear she charged away under Matt Cameron to open her account at her third appearance.

“She came home well in both of her first two runs and as long as she jumped well from the inside barrier we thought she’d be hard to beat,” Baker said.

A $30,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy, Vee Cece is a half-sister to three winners and is out of Vereza (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). She is from a half-sister to the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Burst (Marauding {NZ}).

A multiple Group 1 winner, Canford Cliffs now stands at Ridgemont Highlands in South Africa.

Vee Cece’s stablemate Nordic (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) finished runner-up and her trainers have also formed a good opinion of the 3-year-old.

He is a half-brother to Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park), winner of the G1 Futurity S. and the G1 Orr S., and to the G3 Swap H. winner Sultan Of Swing (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {IRE}).

Nordic is raced by a syndicate that includes breeder JML Bloodstock, Waikato Stud, Jamieson Park and Jomara Bloodstock.

All’s well that ends well

Clouds and silver linings came into play at Te Rapa for Graeme Hughes.

The Cambridge horseman owns and trains the 3-year-old filly Cenghar (NZ) (Dalghar), who won the Cambridge Stud Main on debut following a trial success.

“I bought her for somebody else, but that didn’t go through so it’s pretty cool now,” he said.

Cenghar was a bargain buy and cost just NZ$1750 when offered by Brighthill Farm at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale.

A half-sister to the multiple winner All Black Magic (NZ) (Perfectly Ready), the filly is from the family of the G2 Queen Charlotte H. winner Cato Double (USA) (Nodouble {USA}) and the Group 1 placegetter Ngaio (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}).

Mixed fortunes for apprentice

Baylee Nothdurft hast posted his first metropolitan double, but also copped a big fine and a suspension.

The Queensland apprentice was successful aboard Takings (Show A Heart) and Mishani Electra (Ad Valorem {USA}) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Queensland apprentice, Baylee Nothdurft

He was also $1000 lighter in the pocket after he pleaded guilty to not riding his mount Mishani Hustler (Exceedingly Good) to the line in the 3-year-old handicap.

The fine follows a suspension for Nothdurft from Wednesday's Doomben meeting after he pleaded guilty to causing interference on Kathmandu (Helmet) to Oddfellow (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) 400 metres from home.

He was suspended for 12 days, to expire at midnight on Thursday, January 31.

Grylls back in style

Craig Grylls has ridden his first winner at home since returning from a successful stint in Singapore.

He guided the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Ocean Go (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) to victory in the Bell Neuhauser & Matthews Optometrist’s Maiden at Te Rapa.

“That was a really good performance to come from so far back with a sustained finish,” Scott said.

“It’s fantastic for Craig to get the monkey off his back and it’s great to have him back.

“He’s a really hard-working guy and his fitness levels are very good.”

The Group 1 winning rider collected 44 wins in Singapore where his wife Milou worked as foreman for expatriate New Zealand trainer Donna Logan.

Looking Ahead - January 21

3 min read

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

Today, we have found three horses we believe to be worth following at Taree in the form of an imported 3-year-old, a daughter of a former quality race mare on debut and a sparingly-raced filly who has made a bright start to her career.

Taree XXXX Gold Maiden $22,000 1000 metres 2.25pm

Merge (IRE) (Dandy Man {IRE}) comes here with an interesting background as a 110,000 pound graduate of the Goffs Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale. Raced by Orbis Bloodstock, his family has already made its mark in this part of the world as his dam’s half-brother is the two-time Australian black type winner Exoteric (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}). Their mother is the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Interlacing (GB). The G2 Royal Ascot Windsor Forest S, winner Lolly For Dolly (IRE) (Oratorio {IRE}) also features on the pedigree page.

Trainer Kim Waugh gave Merge one outing last season and finished fourth before he was put aside to mature. Since his return he has placed in a couple of trials and in a modest line-up he looks a decent each way proposition.

Taree MVRC Race Sunday 10 Feb $22,000 1250 metres 3.35pm

Itz Lily (Snitzel) is a daughter of the former smart race mare Empress Lily (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who was a one race winner and placed in the G1 VRC Oaks and at Group 2 level in the Edward Manifold S. and Kewney S. She is a daughter of the three-time Group 1 winner and former New Zealand Horse of the Year Tycoon Lil (NZ) (Last Tycoon {IRE}). A handy producer, she is the dam of the Listed Adelaide Guineas winner and G1 Schweppes Oaks runner-up Estee (Redoute’s Choice).

This filly is in the care of Kris Lees and she finished second in a trial during the winter before a break and has since had a couple more trial outings, winning one at Gosford last month. She has drawn ideally and will be ridden by the vastly experienced Robert Thompson.

Itz Lily as a yearling

Taree Coopernook Hotel H $22,000 1600 metres 4.55pm

The Jenny Graham-trained Eurogem (Eurozone) was a deserved last-start winner after finishing in the money in all of her previous starts. The filly takes on the older horses here, but she has far less convictions than her opposition and has a tidy pedigree to back her claims.

She is out Empire Express, an unraced daughter of the outstanding broodmare sire Royal Academy (USA) and she is a half-sister to the G2 Sunline S. winner Beautiful Gem (Peintre Celebre {USA}), whose three foals have all won and include the Singapore black type winner The Omega Man (Northern Meteor). Eurogem’s grand-dam is the G3 Black Opal S. winner and G1 Golden Slipper runner-up Just Blooming (Yeats {USA}).

Eurogem as a yearling

NSW Race Results

Cowra (Country)

Armidale (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

VIC Race Results

Benalla (Country)

Sale (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

QLD Race Results

Sunshine Coast (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

AUS Sire Premiership

AUS General Sires' Premiership

NZ Sire Premiership

NZ General Sires' Premiership

Thanks for reading!

1 min read

We hope you enjoyed reading today's edition of TDN AusNZ. If you have any feedback or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out.

TDN AusNZ Team & Contacts

President - Gary King | gary@tdnausnz.com.au

Managing Director - Vicky Leonard | vicky@tdnausnz.com.au

Editorial | editorial@tdnausnz.com.au

Australian Editorial - Bren O'Brien | bren@tdnausnz.com.au

New Zealand Editorial - Paul Vettise | paul@tdnausnz.com.au

Advertising | advertising@tdnausnz.com.au

Advertising & Accounts - Eliza Quinn | eliza@tdnausnz.com.au

Content Coordinator - Melissa Gillis | melissa@tdnausnz.com.au

Photography is largely supplied by The Image is Everything - Bronwen Healy and Darren Tindale, and complemented by Sportpix, Trish Dunell (NZ), Racing.com Photos and Western Racepix.