Sadler’s training skills opens door for stakes victory

Written by

Paul Vettise

4 min read

John Sadler received a welcome tonic when his talented but injury-prone galloper Oak Door (Commands) came off an extended break to break a lengthy drought in the G3 Sir John Monash S. at Caulfield.

The local horseman was forced to miss the meeting due to ill health, but he would have taken a major dose of satisfaction from the 5-year-old’s return to the winner’s circle due mainly to unsoundness issues.

Winner of the G2 Autumn S. as a 3-year-old, Oak Door has now won six races but hadn’t won in nearly two years until his brave return at Caulfield following an 11-month break.

“The race mapped out perfectly for him and the going suited,” Sadler’s assistant trainer Ernie Marchant said.

“I’m so excited for the owners, they have been very patient and what a training effort by John, fantastic.

“I’m so excited for the owners, they have been very patient and what a training effort by John, fantastic.” – Ernie Marchant.

“He’s only going to get better. With a bit more racing under his belt we’ll get him out to seven furlongs and it’s really exciting what could happen in the next few months.”

Oak Door kept the leaders within his sights and he let down strongly when asked a serious question by rider Ben Melham.

“He’s been going really well at jump-outs, but the long lay-off was a concern,” he said. “He was pretty forward and I thought he was going to peak late when he got alongside Jungle Edge.

“We were keen to get close, but not get him out of his comfort zone and I was happy to keep him in a nice rhythm.

“I didn’t want to give them too much of a start and he was within striking distance and very effective late.”

“I didn’t want to give them too much of a start and he was within striking distance and very effective late.” – Ben Melham.

A $340,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, Oak Door got the better of the game pacemaker Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}) to win by a head.

The winner is a son of the Listed Just Now H. winner Beyonce’s Star (Orientate {USA}) and a grand-son of the G3 Merson Cooper S. winner and G1 Blue Diamond S. runner-up Solo Performance (Without Fear {Fr}), dam of the G2 Herbert Power S. winner Solo Show (Dahar {USA}).

Jockey Ben Melhan

The third-placed Princess Of Queens (Magnus) is nearing the end of her career and she did well to add a Group 3 placing to a Listed win in the Christmas H.

“She’s got a booking to I Am Invincible. She might have another run, otherwise it’s bye bye to a beautiful mare,” co-trainer Mick Price said.

Multiple celebrations

Meanwhile, there was a notable treble at Caulfield for stallion Tavistock (NZ) and a double strike for jockey Nikita Berriman.

The Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock (NZ) was credited with his 50th individual winner in Australia this season when the Rachael Frost-trained Travimyfriend (NZ) was successful in the Ladbrokes Info Hub H.

A race later, promising Tavistock 3-year-old Tavirun (NZ) landed the Ladbrokes $101 Odds H. for Berriman, who had earlier won the 2-year-old event aboard Star Surprise (Sidereus), and the stallion’s 5-year-old son Bedford (NZ) took the closing event, the Ladbrokes Multiverse H.

Tavirun is trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, who also enjoyed success with another son of Tavistock in Curragh (NZ) in the TAB H. at Rosehill.

Tavistock (NZ) scored a treble at Caulfield

Singapore option

Singapore trainer Shane Baertschiger is a part-owner of Tavirun and, while the gelding may end up with him, Young said they were keen to hold onto him for a while longer.

“He would probably be a perfect horse for the Singapore Derby, but we’d like to get a couple more wins before he gets there,” Young said.

“He’s by the right stallion Tavistock, who’s going well for Cambridge Stud and he’s a happy horse who is nice and sound.”

Tavirun had won on the course a fortnight ago with Berriman in the saddle and she gave him a cosy run behind the pace before hitting the front 300 metres from home.

“He felt like he was gone 200 out and then he got his second wind and he found the line strongly,” she said. “He’s a versatile horse, he led last time and now he’s taken a sit.”

High-priced youngster makes perfect start at Rosehill

Written by

Paul Vettise

4 min read

Expensive colt Spend (Snitzel) opened his career with a tenacious winning performance at Rosehill to fuel hopes that the youngster can next season build a race record to match his price tag and fulfil future stallion expectations.

Spend’s lead-up programme wasn’t ideal with trials being postponed, and neither was the soft going, but the 2-year-old rose to the occasion in the Everest Carnival H. for trainers John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, jockey Tommy Berry and owners Spendthrift Australia.

It was also a result that drew Spend’s sire Snitzel level with I Am Invincible on 23 individual 2-year-old winners of the season and the 220th lifetime juvenile winner for the Arrowfield Stud’s champion stallion.

Michael Hawkes was delighted with Spend’s performance as his preparation wasn’t all plain sailing, having won both of his trials in March the intention had been to give him at least one strong hit out before his debut.

“It was his first day at the races and we were supposed to trial him at Rosehill and they got washed out,” he said.

“He hadn’t had an official trial so it just shows the capabilities the colt’s got. He’s a really nice horse, we paid a lot of money for him, but that doesn’t mean you get the results.

“He’s a really nice horse, we paid a lot of money for him, but that doesn’t mean you get the results.” – Michael Hawkes.

“We’ve got the result this time and there’s a lot of upwards and onwards with him and obviously thanks to Spendthrift and John Muir, who bred him. We’re off to a good start.”

Spendthrift had to part with $1,550,000 to secure Spend out of Milburn Creek’s draft at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

He is a son of Walk With Attitude (Hussonet {USA}), who won the Listed Hybrid Plate and she is a daughter of the Listed Desirable H. winner Hillfa (Danehill {USA}).

The second dam Fayfa (Ire) (Slip Anchor {GB}) is a half-sister to Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), who produced the Group 1 winner and leading stallion Invincible Spirit (Ire). It’s also the family of the dual Group 1 winner Pride Of Dubai, now resident at Coolmore.

Spend was a $1.55 million yearling from the draft of Milburn Creek

Spend left the barrier well enough and Berry was happy to settle him in fifth spot, but confidence levels across the top weren’t particularly high.

“He’s a professional sort of colt, he’s very relaxed and when Tommy got on him he knew what it was all about,” Hawkes said.

“He’s a professional sort of colt, he’s very relaxed and when Tommy got on him he knew what it was all about.” - Michael Hawkes.

“He jumped really well and when Tommy asked him to come back to him he did and that’s a sign of a nice horse.

“To be fair he didn’t like the track at all and was under a lot of pressure 600 or 700 metres from home and you could see him dipping and diving.”

True Detective (Shamus Award), who was resuming after a debut success in February, got to the front 200 metres off the post before Spend made his bid and he stuck gallantly to his task to earn a short head victory at the first time of asking.

“To his credit he’s hit the line solidly beating a good horse,” Hawkes said.

Spend won a short-head victory over True Detective

Berry said it wasn’t all plain sailing for Spend, who he felt was in a bit of trouble turning in.

“I was in two minds at the start with him, but a couple got inside me so I let them go. To be honest, coming to the corner I was a little bit worried because they were running quite quickly and he’s not an 1100 metre horse.

“To be honest, coming to the corner I was a little bit worried because they were running quite quickly and he’s not an 1100 metre horse.” – Tommy Berry.

“He feels like 1200 to 1400 metres will suit him best. I was under pressure and wasn’t really going anywhere and I gave him a couple at the top of the straight and then went back hands and heels.

“He picked them up quite easily then. He definitely got a bit tired over the last 100 metres, which he was entitled to.

“He’s only had a couple of jump-outs this preparation so it’s all ahead of him. He’s still a bit raw at the moment and he’s a nice colt going forward, but he’s still got to prove himself.”

Spend and True Detective had the finish to themselves with third placegetter Beltisa (Rubick) four and a-quarter lengths adrift at the finish.

Beauty Generation gives Moore a seventh straight HOTY in Hong Kong

Written by

Alan Carasso

3 min read

In no-doubt-about-it fashion, Patrick Kwok’s Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) was named Horse of the Year in Hong Kong for the second straight year in ceremonies held Friday evening at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

In becoming the eighth horse in the modern era to land the top honour back-to-back, the 6-year-old gelding was providing trainer John Moore with a remarkable seventh straight HOTY award, joining Military Attack (Ire), Designs on Rome (Ire), Able Friend (Aus), Werther (NZ) and the late Rapper Dragon (Aus) going back to the 2012/2013 season.

Beauty Generation was unopposed in also being crowned Champion Miler for the second year running and was also handed the award for Hong Kong’s Most Popular Horse of the Year.

Bred by Nearco Stud Ltd., Beauty Generation compiled a perfect record over eight runs in 2018/2019, successfully defending his title in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile before adding the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) before annexing the G1 FWD Champions Mile.

With nearly HK$85 million in the bank, he has surpassed former Moore trainee and Horse of the Year Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}) as the leading money earner of all time, with the $100-million mark within reach as he stays in training at seven next season.

The Tony Cruz-trained Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) became the fifth horse to be named Champion Middle Distance horse and Champion Stayer in the same season. The 5-year-old also faced the starter eight times in 2018/2019, becoming the first in Hong Kong history to complete the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase/G1 Champions & Chater Cup double, each over 2400m. He proved his versatility with a victory in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and was runner-up in the G1 QE II Cup at the metric 10 furlongs.

Aus-bred success

A model of consistency throughout his career and never out of the top three in 21 starts, the John Size-trained Beat the Clock (Hinchinbrook) was named Champion Sprinter. Third in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, he achieved a belated Group 1 success with a defeat of Mr Stunning (Exceed and Excel) in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup in January and added a second top-level success in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in April. He was also second to Beauty Generation in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

Fellow Size trainee Champion’s Way, also a son of the late Hinchinbrook, went from a rating of 52 to 108 in winning six of his seven starts and was named Champion Griffin in addition to Most Improved Horse. He closed the season with a popular success in the G3 Lion Rock Trophy H., a rare group win for a 3-year-old, and looms one of the top chances in the 2020 Classics.

With 166 riding wins and a chance to tie or break Joao Moreira’s record of 170 in a season, Zac Purton was named Champion and Most Popular Jockey. Of the 12 international Group 1 events contested in Hong Kong, Purton had his picture taken no fewer than seven times, including the two aforementioned wins on International Day. During the season, the Aussie ex-pat joined the retired Douglas Whyte as the only riders to win 1000 Hong Kong races and he also set a single-season earnings record (HK$233.4 million) with Sunday’s closing-day program to come.

Zac Purton was named Champion and Most Popular jockey

Harron lands Frankel colt for Australian syndicate

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

A lengthy trip came to a successful conclusion for James Harron when he got his man on the final day of the Tattersalls July Sale with the leading Australian bloodstock agent securing the auction’s headline act.

Harron purchased the impressive last-start winner New King (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was consigned by Jamie Railton for breeder-owner Qatar Racing, for 450,000 guineas and the second highest price ever paid at the sale.

New King has won two of his five appearances from John Gosden’s stable, including an eight length victory at his most recent start over 1800 metres at Sandown.

"We had selected this horse in the catalogue and I came specifically for him, he is for a group of Australian clients," said Harron. "I was really pleased when I saw him, he has been well minded and he is a lovely horse.

"He is on a Timeform rating of 113p, which is comparable to some of the horses that have come to Australia from Europe and have done well. He has a great profile.

"He is on a Timeform rating of 113p, which is comparable to some of the horses that have come to Australia from Europe and have done well.” – James Harron.

"We have not yet got a trainer in mind and we are just working out a programme now, whether we ship him now and then run straight off the plane and give him a break, or maybe leave him in the Northern Hemisphere for now.

“His profile certainly means that he can run straight off in some of the bigger races in Australia."

Harron faced stiff competition to land New King, but held firm to repel the challenges of Rabbah Bloodstock’s Jono Mills and Qatari trainer Jassim Ghazali.

James Harron at the Tattersalls July Sale

New King is a son of Marine Bleue (Ire) (Desert Prince {Ire}), who was a Group 3 winner in Germany and also posted a Listed win in France, and all eight of her foals have been successful.

They also include Marina Piccola (Ire) (Halling {USA}), a black type winner who produced the dual Group 2 winner French King (GB) (French Fifteen {Fr}). It’s also the family of the G1 Grand Prix de Saint Cloud winner Mirio (Fr) (Priolo {USA}) and the G1 Falmouth S. winner Nahoodh (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}).

King rules

New King topped the sale and second on the list was At Last (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was also bought for an undisclosed client for 420,000 guineas by Townley Hall Bloodstock principal Mick Flanagan out of The Castlebridge Consignment.

The final session at Tattersalls also featured the sale of the Listed Committed S. winner and recent G3 Ballycorus S. runner-up Inverleigh (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) for 350,000 guineas.

Offered by part-owner Michael Downey, he was secured by Rabbah Bloodstock’s Jono Mills following a lengthy bidding battle with Dubaian trainer Ahmed bin Harmash.

"He is athletic and everyone who saw him here loved him. We are traders so he was always going to be sold," Downey said.

The 3-year-old Make A Wish (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}), a winner over 1400 metres at Sandown seven days ago for trainer Simon Crisford, was popular and the Michael Tabor-owned filly went to trainer Ghazali for 160,000 guineas, stood alongside agent Will Douglass.

"She has some quality, is by a good stallion and she should appreciate the fast ground in Qatar and running around a bend, there might be some more improvement in her.” Douglass said. “There is a good programme for her in Qatar."

Outstanding sale

Tattersalls Chairman Edward Mahony said the most obvious features of the auction was the depth of trade and the international buying bench, which contributed to a remarkable clearance rate of 93 per cent.

“Domestic British and Irish buyers have been prominent and every sector of the market has been further boosted by international demand.

“There have been buyers at Park Paddocks this week from more than 30 different countries and it is a source of pride that many of them would view Tattersalls as their primary, if not only source of thoroughbreds year after year.”

Lack of stature no barrier to success

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

There may not be much to Star Surprise (Sidereus), but trainer Michael Moroney is greatly taken by what there is and the diminutive youngster showed he was full of heart with a gallant victory at Caulfield.

The bargain buy sat close to the pace under rider Nikita Berriman and he wasn’t to be denied in the run home, accounting for the favourite Can’t Be Done (All Too Hard) in the Ladbrokes Odds Boost H.

It was a sweet victory for all concerned as Star Shower had finished runner-up behind Can’t Be Done in his Sale debut before going one better at Echuca.

“He probably should have been all but three out of three. At his first start he ran second to the favourite and made up a lot of ground,” Moroney said. “With weights and measures, if you believe in that, he was well in.”

Cheap purchase

Star Surprise was spotted by the eagle eye of Moroney’s brother Paul at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and he didn’t have to dig deep to secure him for $8000.

“Probably his reserve was $7000 and it was the only bid,” Michael Moroney said. ”He’s not very big and he’s an early foal so we’ll just keep going with him.

“Nikita made a comment about him and said the reason why he’s been slow away is he’s that small that the first stride he takes is still inside the gates.”

Moroney said the initial plan with Star Surprise had to be revised after the gelding failed to cope with his first preparation.

“We tried to get him ready for the Magic Millions, but it was too big a task. He came to us unbroken at the end of June from that sale. I tried to push him through, but he went shin sore so we had to stop.”

Star Surprise was a $7000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase

Spring prospect

Moroney also believes Star Surprise can make an impact at a decent level next season.

“I think he can, especially in the spring. He’s got a lot of ability and he tries so hard, that’s a big asset,” he said.

Berriman has ridden Star Surprise in all three of his starts and is understandably forgiving for his lack of size.

“The first time I rode him I could see over his back and everybody knows I’m very small,” she said. “He is very small, but he has got a big heart

“The first time I rode him I could see over his back and everybody knows I’m very small.” – Nikita Berriman.

“He got a little bit lost in his first start and but for that I think he would have beaten Can’t Be Done in. He’s a nice horse going forward – he’s not big in stature, but he’s got a big heart.

“I galloped him during the week and I came here super confident.”

The effort of the runner-up Can’t Be Done was also full of merit as he had to concede the winner three kilos while Lady Loire (Not A Single Doubt) finished off well for third.

Avon River (Fastnet Rock) was next in ahead of Forever Loud (Domesday), who got clear late.

Nikita Berriman came into the race very confident

Black-Type Results

Sponsored by

Group 3 Sir John Monash S., Caulfield

Race Summary:

Oak Door (Commands) came back from a lengthy break in triumphant fashion with a hard-fought victory.

Trainer John Sadler put the winning polish on the 5-year-old, who raced near the pace and wore down the pacemaker Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}) in the closing 100 metres.

Princess Of Queens (Magnus) came in well for third with the well-backed last-start winner Malibu Style (Magnus) a brave fourth.

Pedigree Notes :

The winner was a $340,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate and is a son of Beyonce’s Star (Orientate {USA}).

She won five times, including a Listed success in the Just Now H., and is out of a half-sister to the G2 Herbert Power S. winner Solo Show (Dahar {USA}). She produced the G2 Yallambee Classic winner Toast Of The Coast (Rory’s Jester).

Listed Winter S., Rosehill

Race Summary:

Eckstein (I Am Invincible) added to her black type record when she powered to victory under Blake Shinn.

Trained by Chris Waller, the mare was coming off a luckless run for sixth in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara and she showed full advantage of a drop in class.

The favourite Gaulois (Street Cry {Ire}) continued his good run of form for second with Nicci’s Gold (Nicconi) coming from the back for third.

Pedigree Notes :

Eckstein was a $50,000 Inglis Weaning Sale buy and this year realised $750,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare Sale when purchased by Coolmore.

In between times, she won twice at Group 3 level and finished runner-up in the G1 Myer Classic.

She is out of Comrie (Choisir), an unraced mare who is a grand-daughter of the multiple Group 1 winner Canny Lass (Bletchingly) and the family of the G2 Queensland Guineas winner and sire Rothesay.

Daily News Wrap

Sponsored by

5 min read

Top mare too good

The cream rose to the top in the Listed Winter S. at Rosehill where the dual Group 3 winner and G1 Myer Classic runner-up Eckstein (I Am Invincible) proved too good.

Purchased by Coolmore for $750,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale, the 5-year-old had finished sixth at her previous appearance in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara.

Eckstein winning the Listed Winter S. at Rosehill

“Obviously Kurt Goldman did a fantastic job with her and I was spoiled to be handed the reins,” trainer Chris Waller said.

“It’s a privilege to training her for Mr Magnier and the Coolmore team, who I was fortunate enough to spend a bit of time with a couple of weeks ago.

“It was a real highlight of the year, going to see Ballydoyle and how Aidan O’Brien operates such a successful empire for the Magniers. What a thrill be given these colours and to train a horse like Eckstein.”

Instant impression

Former Western Australia filly Agent Pippa (Demerit) announced her arrival in Sydney with an all the way victory at Rosehill.

In her first appearance for trainer Kris Lees, she was taken straight to the front and was never headed in the ATC Foundation H.

“She was very impressive. We were always going to ride her positively,” Lees said. “She’s already a stakes winner in WA so hopefully she can get to that level here.”

Tactics spot on

A plan to use new tactics with Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) proved successful at Doomben on Saturday.

There were only six runners in the race and with no front-runner among them trainer Chris Waller's Queensland manager Paul Shailer instructed jockey Ryan Maloney to lead on the mare.

It worked a treat with Another Dollar accounting for stablemate Savacool (NZ) (Savabeel).

"She might not have ever won at Doomben, but she had placed in all five starts here including in the Queensland Oaks when second to a pretty smart horse in Youngstar," Shailer said.

"In other words in a genuinely run race she was always going to be hard to beat. She was the class in the race and it showed through."

Sydney on radar

Trainer Matt Dunn is considering a trip to Sydney for Karaja (Zoffany {Ire}) after a change of fortune at Doomben.

The 2-year-old capitalised on a gun run under jockey Jim Byrne to win the Brent Kielly Memorial H.

"She should have won her past two starts at Ipswich and then the Sunshine Coast. She finally got out to the right distance for her today and she was strong to the line," Dunn said.

"Karaja is bred to get over some ground so who knows she might get out to a middle distance next campaign.

"Certainly a Sydney trip would be in line for her at some stage, but whether it is this time we will have to decide a bit later."

Deserved spell

Snitch (Lope de Vega {Ire}) signed off in the best possible way at Doomben with the seventh win of his career.

The Tony Gollan-trained chestnut will go for a break after adding the A Night In France H. to his record.

"There are plenty of races for him in the summer. Races like the Sunshine Coast Cup or Buffering Handicap," he said.

"I honestly think he is up to Listed class at least. He is by Lope de Vega and I have couple of good ones by that sire including Vega One.

"They are quirky horses, but I think we have worked them out and we are having some luck with the breed.

Tony Gollan is having a lot of luck with the Lope de Vega's

Veracious lands Group 1

Sir Michael Stoute’s Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}) claimed the G1 Tattersalls Falmouth S. at Newmarket on Friday in determined fashion.

Having to battle late as One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock) arrived on the scene, the 6-1 shot proved equal to the task and hit the line with a neck to spare, with the heavily-backed I Can Fly (GB) (Fastnet Rock) 2 3/4 lengths away in third.

“It was a very brave performance and Oisin [Murphy] rode her beautifully,” Stoute said. “She ran very well at Ascot, but was doing a little too much and we didn’t want that to happen today. We wanted to let her flow.

“She has taken a long time to ripen, but Ryan [Moore] rode her in work 10 days ago and said ‘she is there now’. We have a lot of choices and she has got form at a mile and a quarter from the Nassau last year. Cheveley Park has been wonderful supporters and I’m always thrilled to win a good race for them.”

Veracious is out of Infallible (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who captured the G3 Nell Gwyn S. and was runner-up in this race and the G1 Coronation S.

Annie’s Song in tune

Annie’s Song (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) made the perfect start to her career on her home track at Ruakaka with a decisive victory.

Trainers Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley expected a bold showing from the filly in the Whangarei ITM 2YO and they weren’t disappointed. When presented by rider Craig Grylls, she dashed clear to beat Tumbleweed (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}).

Annie's Song (NZ) winning at Ruakaka

“She’s going to make a lovely 3-year-old,” Bradley said. “I’m not sure what we’ll do now, we don’t push our 2-year-olds and she’s still growing.”

Annie’s Song is out of the winning High Chaparral (Ire) mare Highlight (NZ) from the family of the former champion South African 2 and 3-year-old Princess Victoria (SAF) (Victory Moon {SAF}).

Looking Ahead - July 14

Sponsored by

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.

On Sunday, a Brad Widdup-trained youngster looks poised to go close at Hawkesbury where we also like a well-related Lindsay Park filly and at Grafton we zero in on a 2-year-old with a host of Group 1 winners in her pedigree.

Hawkesbury Race 2, 1.20pm, Richmond Club Maiden, $35,000, 1300m

Uprise (Hinchinbrook) is a half-brother to the G3 BTC Classic winner Platinum Kingdom (Magnus) and the multiple winner and stakes performer Éclair Sunshine (All Too Hard). Their dam Miss Rangoon (USA) (Giant’s Causeway {Ire}) is an unraced half-sister to the G3 Las Flores H. winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Spring Meadow (USA) (Meadowlake {USA}) and the family of the North American stakes winners Chestnut Lady (USA) (Horse Chestnut {SAF}) and Plentiful (USA) (Harlan’s Holiday {USA}).

Uprise as a yearling

Trained by Brad Widdup, Uprise was an $80,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier buy for Darby Racing and De Burgh Equine and was a trial winner before he made his debut at Newcastle last month. From a wide gate he went back in the field and made solid ground to finish fourth. He again has a tricky gate to contend with, but a touch of early luck should see the youngster make an impression.

Hawkesbury Race 5, 3.11pm, Hawkesbury Gazette H., $35,000, 1300m

Sinzara (Snitzel) hails from a strong New Zealand family and is a daughter of Zingara (Zabeel {NZ}), a two-time winner who ran fourth in the G1 Queensland Oaks. She is out of the G3 Manawatu Classic winner Spottswoode (NZ) (Centaine) and she is a sister to the G1 Arrowfield Stud S. winner Sixty Seconds (NZ) and a three-quarter sister to the dual Group 2 winner Arletty (NZ) and the family of the two-time Group 1 winner Xtravagant (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).

Snitzel, sire of Sinzara

Trained at Lindsay Park, Sinzara was successful on debut at Bendigo before Christmas and was then spelled after failing to place at Mornington. She looks to have come back strongly and has won one of her three preparatory trials and from the inside gate she can make her presence felt.

Grafton Race 2, 1.05pm, Andrew Tom Builder Maiden, $22,000, 1100m

Queenofthecastle (Rothesay) is a daughter of Wafer (General Nediym) and she was a capable mare who won six times up to 1200 metres with two of her three foals to race having won. There are some headline acts in this pedigree with G1 Golden Slipper winner and successful sire Canny Lad under the second dam, as well as the top flight winners Camarena (Danehill {USA}), Camarilla (Elusive Quality {USA}), Guelph (Exceed And Excel) and Sepoy, also a source of Group 1 winners.

Trained by John Shelton, Queenofthecastle has gone close to an early breakthrough with runner-up finishes at Ballina and on this course last time out. Matthew Paget will continue his association with the filly who has displayed enough gate speed to get across from an awkward alley to post a deserved victory.

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

NSW Race Results

Rosehill (Metropolitan)

Wyong (Provincial)