Yulong secures Alabama Express

Written by

Bren O'Brien

4 min read

Alabama Express' future as a stallion has been assured with Yulong purchasing a significant share in the son of Redoute's Choice with the intention to stand him at its Victorian base once his racing career is over.

Alabama Express secured a valuable Group 1 victory when winning the CF Orr S. at Caulfield at his most recent start for trainer Mike Moroney. He is set to contest the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday.

Yulong, which stood 2018 G1 Australian Guineas Makybe Diva S. winner Grunt (NZ) as its foundation stallion at its Yulong Stud at Nagambie last year, has secured a share with the existing owners of Alabama Express ahead of his next Group 1 test.

Alabama Express on his way to victory in the CF Orr S.

“Investing in a colt the quality of Alabama Express highlights the commitment of Mr Zhang to develop the strength of the Yulong stallion roster and the Melbourne breeding industry,” said Sam Fairgray, Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer.

“Investing in a colt the quality of Alabama Express highlights the commitment of Mr Zhang to develop the strength of the Yulong stallion roster and the Melbourne breeding industry." - Sam Fairgray

Yulong has built an impressive broodmare band of well over 100 over the past few years and Grunt served an impressive book of 178 mares last year. Given that, Alabama Express should get every opportunity to make his name as a stallion whenever it is decided he will retire.

Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Alabama Express was purchased for $280,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock at the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He is out of Lago Ovation (Encosta De Lago) from the family of stakes winners such as Rekindled Interest (Redoute's Choice), Where We Left Off (GB) (Dr Devious {GB}) and Porticcio (Ire) (Lamitas {GB}).

Alabama Express as a yearling

“He was just a cracking athlete and he had a lot of quality, with a great mind,” Paul Moroney recalled of him as a yearling. “He had a lot of his dad, Redoute’s Choice, about him. He was a great moving horse and to me, he was a standout on class.

“He’s obviously taken that quality of his looks across to the racetrack and he’s proven himself as a high-quality racehorse. He’s got all the hallmarks of making a great stallion prospect - he’s a Group 1 winner, he’s athletic, he’s a standout on type and he’s got a lot of his dad about him.

"He’s got all the hallmarks of making a great stallion prospect - he’s a Group 1 winner, he’s athletic, he’s a standout on type and he’s got a lot of his dad about him." - Paul Moroney

“We’ve always thought that he was a miler, so I’m excited to see him step up to that distance this weekend. We thought that from the day we bought him as a yearling.”

Alabama Express is one of three Group 1 winners by Redoute's Choice out of an Encosta De Lago mare, a nick which has produced nine stakes winners in all from 61 runners.

It was that combination of those two great bloodlines which appealed greatly to Yulong.

The late Redoute's Choice, sire of Alabama Express

“Redoute’s Choice is an Australian phenomenon. He is peerless in his achievements at stud and continues to build his legacy through exceptional sons and daughters. We couldn’t be more delighted to secure a Group 1 WFA-winning son, who is built in the mould of his Champion Sire,” Fairgray said.

“Alabama Express is out of an Encosta De Lago mare, the same cross as exceptional sire Beneteau. This Australian sire-power is complemented by his quality international female family which should suit the local broodmare population.”

Mike Moroney, who has guided Alabama Express to four wins from his seven starts to date, will continue to train the colt, with other parties involved in the ownership including Lib Petagna and Rupert Legh, who was also a major owner in Grunt.

Trainer Mike Moroney with part-owner Rupert Legh and Alabama Express

Amazing journey poses questions for Tassie industry

Written by

Bren O'Brien

11 min read

Twelve months on from Mystic Journey's breakthrough G1 Australian Guineas win, we talk to two key figures in her story about the challenges and opportunities still facing the Tasmanian thoroughbred industry.

Mystic Journey (Needs Further) created a remarkable piece of history when she took on the country's best 3-year-olds and won the Australian Guineas becoming the first-ever Tasmanian-trained and bred horse to win a Group 1 race.

It was hailed as a watershed moment, not only for racing in the island state, but also for the Tasmanian breeding industry, with the outstanding filly from the second crop of local stallion Needs Further, standing at Armidale Stud, out of a mare that was based on the farm for Victorian breeder Ralph Zito.

Three weeks later, that sense of transformation for a Tassie racing and breeding industry which had long been 'off broadway', exploded when the Adam Trinder-trained Mystic Journey went on to capture the inaugural All-Star Mile, a $5 million race.

An $11,000 Tassie filly holding off a pair of runners from the world's biggest racing operation in Godolphin was the sort of rags-to-riches story that racing folk love and spoke to the age-old Tasmanian narrative of a state 'punching above its weight'.

But a year later, while there is certainly a greater awareness of the quality of Tasmanian horses, and this week's Magic Millions Tasmanian Sale drew a stronger interstate buying bench than ever, propelling a record average and aggregate, what has really changed?

Two of the key figures in the Mystic Journey story, her owner Wayne Roser and Armidale Stud Managing Director David Whishaw, reflected on the significant challenges the Tasmanian industry faces, in spite of those watershed moments at Flemington last March.

Mystic Journey as a yearling

The prizemoney challenge

There are things that Roser and Whishaw don’t agree on, but what shines through when you talk to both of them about what needs to happen to frank the momentum created by the success of Mystic Journey and other Tasmanian horses such as The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}), is a broader ownership base and increased prizemoney.

While there have been incentives put in place, such as the Tasbred bonus as well as access to Victoria's VOBIS scheme, base-level prizemoney has lagged significantly behind the rest of the country and as an owner, Roser feels that's a significant barrier to investment into the industry.

Wayne Roser with the strapper of Mystic Journey, Bronte Page

"They need to lift prizemoney," he said. "They spend money on social events, but they won’t invest in the industry.

"It’s a costly business to own a horse and have them trained and all that. They put forward the Tasbred bonus which is great but part of it goes to the breeder, the breeder has already got their money from breeding and selling the horse, but they still get this bonus through prizemoney, I think it all should go to owners."

That specific point about the bonus is probably not something Whishaw would subscribe to, but he too sees the threat posed by the lack of returns to owners via prizemoney.

"There's definitely a need to further engage new people, in particular, young people into racing down here." - David Whishaw

"The base stakes has to increase to try and keep the local owners engaged," he said. "There's definitely a need to further engage new people, in particular, young people into racing down here."

Base prizemoney at a Hobart or Launceston meeting is $17,000. That lifts to a minimum of $20,000 for feature meetings such as Wednesday's Launceston Cup and Hobart's recent Cup meeting. Specific maiden and Class 1 races feature a state government subsidised Tasbred bonus of $16,000 for the owner and $4000 for the breeder.

The state government and Tasracing are expected to announce a prizemoney boost in the very near future which could go some of the way to addressing the issue. A significant chunk of that is expected to be funded by the recently implemented state-based Point Of Consumption Tax.

"I’d love to see the base stakes rise by 30-40 per cent, I think that combined with the new Tasbred scheme, will hopefully give new owners the confidence to not only invest at the sales, but also in breeding stock too." - David Whishaw

"Hopefully with the positive news in the Point Of Consumption Tax, we can see a nice injection of funds into prizemoney," Whishaw said. "I’d love to see the base stakes rise by 30-40 per cent, I think that combined with the new Tasbred scheme, will hopefully give new owners the confidence to not only invest at the sales, but also in breeding stock too."

However, POC taxes have not necessarily proven a panacea for industry funding elsewhere in Australia, and indeed, the imposition of them in larger jurisdictions has been attributed as a factor in an overall drop in the betting turnover that has fuelled previous prizemoney rises.

The talent drain

The other major concern both Roser and Whishaw share is the impact of the loss of so many of Tasmania's best-bred horses interstate, with such a strong representation from interstate buyers at the Tasmania Sale.

Just over 50 per cent of the 110 horses sold this week were purchased by interstate buyers, including six of the top seven lots.

"The challenge is that I feel it is pushing local owners out, because it is all interstate money. They come over here and are willing to pay big money and syndication is allowing that to occur. It makes it hard," Roser said.

The shallow nature of the local buying bench is what specifically concerns Whishaw, with those 54 horses purchased locally going to just 25 separate Tasmanian buyers.

"I think the only worrying thing to come out of the sale, and it might take me a while to really get my head around it, but on face value, I was a little bit concerned about the depth of the local buying bench," he said.

"My passion is seeing the Tassie industry succeed. And it’s wonderful to see us as breeders being received on a national stage but if we can’t keep some of our quality product here in Tassie, it won't improve the quality of racing down here.

David Whishaw | Image courtesy of Armidale Stud

"Our racing has strengthened, but if we see all our best stock going interstate, I think we might see it go downhill again and that worries me a little bit."

Not included in those local buyers were syndicators Star Thoroughbreds and Prime Thoroughbreds, who while based interstate, race and syndicate horses locally.

"We are really lucky to have Denise Martin from Star Thoroughbreds and Joe O'Neill from Prime Thoroughbreds. They are two very professional syndicators that not only support the sale, but syndicate and race those horses locally," Whishaw said.

Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds

The broodmare problem

But what particularly worries Whishaw is the lack of investment then flowing through the breeding industry, and in particularly broodmares, with Tasmania already having a significant shortage of quality stock to breed from.

"The Tassie product is racing well on the mainland and that obviously keeps the spotlight on the local product. It’s the best return for investment on any sale in Australia," he said.

"I think we will now see a bit of a consolidation phase down here. I think we had an outstanding buying bench from the mainland but we have to continue to improve our broodmare band and strengthen the breeding industry down here if we are to continue to get those investors to come down."

Alpine Eagle | Standing at Armidale Stud

A case in point was when Armidale Stud took the decision to stand Alpine Eagle at its Carrick Stud in 2017. Understandably for a sire with a decent profile, he was marketed strongly and attracted a book of 106 in that first season.

On the surface, that was an outstanding result, but for fellow Armidale Stud stallion Needs Further, who had his first crop having just hit the track, including top Tasmanian 2-year-old Pateena Arena, his book dropped to a career low of 48 that year.

The subsequent emergence of Mystic Journey has seen his numbers rocket to triple figures last season, but when it came to offering his yearlings this week at Launceston, Whishaw knew he didn’t have enough stock to meet demand.

Needs Further | Standing at Armidale Stud

"With such a small number of broodmares in the state, launching a new stallion like Alpine Eagle in the state probably cost Needs Further 20 or 30 mares and the progeny of those would have been really well received here," he said.

Demand exceeding supply is a nice problem to have but finding the balance of getting the right mares in such a small pool is not easy.

The challenge of growth

Neither has been managing the growth of Armidale Stud over the past 12 months off the back of the increased demand for Needs Further and the arrival of Alpine Eagle's first few crops.

"We work hard and we want to lift the standard in Tassie. I strive to do that more than anything else. We are blessed to have a really good staff group. We’ve got more staff than we have ever had, and our business has experienced a lovely bit of growth, and with that comes a bit of pain," Whishaw said.

"Growth is your greatest opportunity, but potentially your biggest threat." - David Whishaw

"Growth is your greatest opportunity, but potentially your biggest threat."

Given the above-mentioned questions over prizemoney, investment and the depth of both the buying bench and the broodmare band, it’s understandable that the state's biggest breeding operation is mindful of how it treads.

The buyer's perspective

From an owner investment point of view, Roser doesn't foresee a greater involvement for himself despite the success of Mystic Journey.

"We don’t change. We operate the same as we always have, from when we bought the first horse until where we are now," the former top Sydney barrister, who is now based on the north coast of Tasmania, said.

"We don’t change. We operate the same as we always have, from when we bought the first horse until where we are now." - Wayne Roser

"Like all these things, it’s not all overnight success. You look at the other 40-50 horses we bought. They haven't all been successful. It’s easy to focus on one horse but you never know if you've got a good one until you get to the races."

Roser purchased three horses at Launceston this week, spending $62,000 in total, including $20,000 for a filly by Needs Further.

Lot 68 purchased by Wayne Roser

"We've got a couple from the stallion, so this is the third one, so hopefully she is as good as the other two," Roser said. "Adam (Trinder) liked her. She's not got much of a pedigree, but we really liked her."

The other two are of course Mystic Journey, and her three-quarter sister Mystical Pursuit, a dual stakes-winning filly who Roser thinks has plenty of upside.

"She might be the one to get to the Cox Plate this year," Roser said.

"Her second in the Strutt S. (when beaten narrowly by dominant filly Still A Star) was the first time over that distance and we rode her back and the way she finished off from the 600 metres was impressive. She's a really nice horse. A different type of horse, more of a street fighter."

Journey to resume

As for his star mare, having overcome a setback which ended her defence of the All-Star Mile, a race Roser is convinced she would have won again if right, she is being set for a shot at next month's G1 William Reid S. first-up before a possible trip to Group 1 sprints in Adelaide.

Roser is not completely ruling out another shot at a Cox Plate, a race she ran fourth in last year, but thinks she is probably best kept to races around the 1600 metre mark.

Mystic Journey on her way to victory in the G1 Australian Guineas

Roser said the ongoing relationship with Trinder, as opposed to the prospect of further Group 1 success at Flemington, is what keeps him involved.

"He's principled. The horse is the most important thing and he works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When we won the PB Lawrence, and she was upset the Friday she arrived, he slept with her. I ran into James Cummings and he said he couldn't believe a trainer would do that. It’s total commitment," Roser said of his trainer.

Wayne Roser and Adam Trinder

It’s that old style commitment to craftsmanship and hard work that has driven a Tasmanian resurgence in all aspects of society, whether it be the quality of thoroughbred, the quality of local produce or the quality of life.

The greater challenge though is maintaining that attitude, while continuing to improve and grow. The opportunity is there, as is the quality, the next five years will tell if the local thoroughbred industry is ready to capitalise on that or allows itself to settle for less.

Jennifer Eccles confirms Oaks favouritism in style

3 min read

By Bren O'Brien

Trainer Shaune Ritchie has 57 reasons to look forward to next month's G1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on after Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) trounced her 3-year-old contemporaries in the G2 Little Avondale Lowland S. at Hastings on Wednesday.

Jennifer Eccles was a $5000 weanling purchase for Cambridge bloodstock consultant Adrian Clark and was subsequently syndicated to The Challenge No.10 Syndicate, which involves 57 different members.

Most of them appeared to be on course on Wednesday to see Jennifer Eccles confirm her favouritism for the Oaks with her third victory at stakes level, dashing away to win 4l on the line.

Jason Waddell sat her just off the pace, mindful of his two major rivals, G1 NZ Thousand Guineas winner Loire (NZ) (Redoute's Choice) and Showbeel (NZ) (Savabeel).

But he needn't have worried as when he pressed the go button at the 400 metres mark, Jennifer Eccles unleashed a spectacular burst to put the race to bed in a matter of metres, a big break ahead of Loire, while Showbeel was third, 1.5l further back.

“She’s aggressive in the way that she is such a racehorse,” Waddell said. “She is so competitive. The speed obviously wasn’t fast, it was only slowly run.

"I couldn’t hold her any longer coming to the 600m, I was getting up on their heels. She is a horse that has got a short turn of foot, well we thought she did. I don’t know if I have ridden too many fillies that can quicken up the way she does.

“She is an incredible filly and I appreciate the ride from the owners and Shaune Ritchie. I can’t wait for the Oaks.” - Jason Waddell

“She is an incredible filly and I appreciate the ride from the owners and Shaune Ritchie. I can’t wait for the Oaks.”

Remarkably it was the third straight fillies' stakes race where those three horses have filled the trifecta.

With Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) opting to contest the G1 New Zealand Derby on Saturday, you would think there is every chance those three will fight out the Oaks again next month, where Jennifer Eccles is an overwhelming $1.80 favourite, ahead of Loire at $6.

Ritchie was a bit concerned when Waddell took off so early but was relieved to see his star filly put her best foot forward.

Shaune Ritchie

"Wasn’t she spectacular late,” Ritchie said. “I was worried. Going into a mile and a half you have got that concern in the back of your head that she might not get the trip, but she was dominant today.

“I was thinking, Jason wait, but that’s why you don’t need to talk to Jason because he is so good at making those calls. The cheeky way he eased down late was superb.”

The Cambridge based trainer, who last won the NZ Oaks with Miss Artistic (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in 2012, can’t wait to get to Trentham in just over two weeks with his hoard of owners.

“It’s irrelevant how much they own, you can’t shake your own hand. There are plenty of them here to shake hands with. It’s a good atmosphere and great for racing,” he said.

Connections of Jennifer Eccles

Payne, Egan claim Launceston Cup with Kiwi stayer

4 min read

Cover image: Home By Midnight (NZ) winning the Listed Feilding Gold Cup

By Bren O'Brien

Patrick Payne continues to press his claims as Australia's most versatile trainer, masterminding the victory of former New Zealand stayer Home By Midnight (NZ) (Domesday) in Wednesday's G3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup.

Just two weeks after claiming the $1 million Inglis Sprint with Rubisaki (Rubick) at Warwick Farm, Payne was able to coax a first Australian win, and fourth stakes win overall from the 7-year-old gelding, who relished the soft track and circled the field to win by 2.25l in comfortable fashion.

Jockey Billy Egan, who has formed a great partnership with Payne, sat back off the pace set by Taikomochi (Snitzel), and the pair travelled sweetly through the run. Egan made his move out wide at the top of the straight as the race looked to change complexion, and with in a matter of strides it was clear that nobody else but the ex-pat Kiwi was going to claim the $150,000 first prize.

“The shades went on today so he just positioned up a lot easier without much work needed," Egan said. “It was such a team effort really, I'm proud of stable rider Tahlia (Hope) for what she’s done with the horse."

“The shades went on today so he just positioned up a lot easier without much work needed." - Billy Egan

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Taikomochi boxed on well for second, while the Richard Laming-trained Dogmatic (Domesday) was another 2.5l away third, completing an interstate trained trifecta, in contrast to the Hobart Cup which was dominated by the locals.

The pre-race favourite, the G3 Hobart Cup winner Toorak Affair (Toorak Toff), weakened to finish sixth after looming as a possible winner before the home turn.

Home By Midnight, racing as Five To Midnight, won nine races for Lisa Latta back in New Zealand including a G2 Waikato Gold Cup, G3 Hawkes Bay Gold Cup and Listed Feilding Gold Cup before joining Payne's stable last May.

Home By Midnight (NZ)

He had been winless in 10 starts for his new trainer before Wednesday.

"When we went past me the first time, I said to my wife, Billy has got him in the perfect spot," stable representative Joe O'Neill said. "I thought if the horse was good enough he'd win the race.

"Patrick is just over the moon and as are the owners in New Zealand. They'll be thrilled with this."

Filly flies for first stakes win

Deroche (Needs Further) confirmed her status as one of the top fillies in Tasmania, beating the older mares in the G3 Armidale Stud Vamos S.

On the quick back-up from Sunday's win in the Magic Millions Tasmanian 3YO & 4YO Classic, the Leanne Gaffney-trained 3-year-old had too much class on her rivals, defeating Victorian mare Miss Mandito (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) by 1l with Jentico (Written Tycoon) in third.

It was a first stakes win for Deroche, despite it being her ninth win from 13 starts and Star Thoroughbreds' Denise Martin said afterwards that she would go for a deserved rest.

"I've been very privileged to be involved with my owners in some very good horses to win those big races in Sydney, but when I come here and they are my own, I get so anxious," Martin, who was born and raised in northern Tasmania said.

"She'll spell after today and the owners will too, but she's very exciting."

Hellova finish between Brunton stablemates

Earlier, Hellova Street (Helike {USA}) was denied a fourth straight win in the Listed Mowbray S. by his stablemate Mandela Effect (Turffontein).

Mandela Effect was expected to dominate the race having easily won the Listed Steve's Liquor Thomas Lyons S. at Hobart earlier this month, but jockey Craig Newitt was forced to endure a nail-biting time trying to get the 5-year-old through a gap behind his stablemate in the straight before he launched late to win a thrilling race by 0.2l, with Zatacla (Al Maher) in third.

Brunton confirmed afterwards that Mandela Effect would have a deserved break and not try and get a run in the All-Star Mile at Flemington next month.

Pedigree Boosters

2 min read

In the build up to the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, we will pick out three yearlings each day who have had substantial pedigree updates in the past couple of months.

Today, we have a look at the half-sister to the Inglis Millennium winner, check out a filly whose sister is knocking on the door of a stakes win and find a half-brother to a recent Group 3 winner at Flemington.

Lot 43 - Kermadec (NZ) x Barinka (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) - On Account of Maluka Thoroughbreds

View Pedigree: Lot 43 - Kermadec (NZ) x Barinka (NZ) (filly)

Prime Star's (Starspangledbanner) win in the recent R. Listed Inglis Millennium was a lovely piece of timing for this filly. He sold for $55,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale last year and has now won over $1.2 million. Another half-brother, Individualist (Dissident) was a recent Canterbury placegetter.

Lot 43 - Kermadec (NZ) x Barinka (NZ) (filly)

Barinka has produced four winners and was a Group 1 winner herself in New Zealand. She had a Deep Field filly last year and visited Dundeel (NZ) in 2019. It is the family of stakes-winners Tawlord (NZ) (Tawfiq {USA}) and Ferrous Cardio (NZ) (Amyntor {Fr}) along with stakes-placed She's Neat (NZ) (Kinjite {NZ}).

Lot 78 - Cable Bay (Ire) x Canterbury Hill (Haradasun) - On Account Of Merrivale Farm

View Pedigree: Lot 78 - Cable Bay (Ire) x Canterbury Hill (filly)

This filly's half-sister Don'ttelltheboss (Street Boss {USA}) racked up another stakes placing last Friday in the G3 Typhoon Tracy S. and she looks a great chance to get that first stakes win shortly. Another member of the family, Mywordis (Wordsmith), was also recently placed in a black-type race.

Canterbury Hill has produced two winners from as many to the track and is a daughter of the Group 1-placed Cancanelle (Danehill Dancer {USA}) from the family of stakes-winner Elite Elle (Shamardal {USA}).

Lot 339 - All Too Hard x Orvieto (Testa Rossa) - On Account of Vinery Stud

View Pedigree: Lot 339 - All Too Hard x Orvieto (colt)

Bonvicini (Myboycharlie {Ire}) is the only foal out of this mare to get to the track and she recently picked up a second stakes win in the G3 Vanity S. at Flemington. That's a nice little update for this colt being offered by Vinery Stud.

Lot 339 - All Too Hard x Orvieto (colt)

There's already a bit of black-type on the page with the second dam, Radio Song (Unbridled's Song {USA}) stakes-placed and her dam Adagietto (NZ) (Sackford {USA}) a multiple Listed winner.

Black type results: Launceston & Hastings

5 min read

Launceston, G3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup, $250,000, 2400m

Race summary:

Home By Midnight (NZ) (Domesday) secured a fourth stakes win and his first in Australia with an emphatic victory in the G3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup on Wednesday.

Now trained by Patrick Payne, Home By Midnight, known as Five To Midnight (NZ) when trained by Lisa Latta in his home country, has built a strong reputation for performing well in staying races on rain-affected surfaces.

He already had the G2 Waikato Gold Cup, G3 Hawkes Bay Gold Cup and Listed Feilding Gold Cup in the cabinet and added the Launceston Cup, with jockey Billy Egan unleashing him around the field at the top of the straight and proving far too strong for Taikomochi (Snitzel), who led the field for most of the way, with Dogmatic (Domesday) filling third.

Home By Midnight was having his 12th start in Australia and this was his first win, while it was his ninth win overall.

Pedigree notes:

Home By Midnight (NZ) is one of three winners from Fastnet Lady (Fastnet Rock) but is the only one to win at stakes level.

Fastnet Rock is one of six winners from In Essence (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), the three-quarter sister to stakes winner Bonnachi (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), who is the dam of Listed winner Extra Choice (NZ) (Redoute's Choice).

Fastnet Lady has an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Roc De Cambes (NZ) and an unnamed weanling colt by Darci Brahma (NZ).

Launceston, G3 Armidale Stud Vamos S., $150,000, 1400m

Race summary:

Star Tasmanian filly Deroche (Needs Further) made it two valuable wins in four days with a first stakes victory in the G3 Vamos S. at Launceston.

The Star Thoroughbreds owned filly, who is trained by Leeanne Gaffney, showed her class by delivering an on-pace victory, defeating Miss Mandito (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) by a length with Jentico (Written Tycoon) grabbing third another 0.5l back,

Deroche narrowly claimed the Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Classic at the same track on Sunday, but this victory was much more emphatic, with Craig Newitt pushing her clear of her rivals at the furlong mark.

Now headed for the spelling paddock, Deroche has an impressive record of nine wins from 13 starts and just short of $390,000 in prizemoney.

Pedigree notes:

Bred by Armidale Stud, Deroche becomes the fifth stakes winner for resident sire Needs Further.

Purchased for $61,000, the filly is out of the stakes-placed Buzzing Along (Tough Speed {USA}), who was second in this race eight years ago. She has produced three winners, all by Needs Further, from her four to race.

The second dam, Almighty Buzz (Supremo {USA}) is a half-sister to Listed winner Martelomeo (Marscay), the dam of Group 3 winner Danaides (Rory's Jester). Stakes-winners The Huntress (Husson {Arg}) and Regal Crown (Not A Single Doubt) also feature on the page.

Buzzing Along's yearling colt by Wordsmith sold for $20,000 at this week's Magic Millions Tasmanian Sale, while she also has a Shooting To Win weanling colt and visited Needs Further last year.

Launceston, Listed Steve’s Liquor Mowbray S., $100,000, 1600m

Race summary:

Mandela Effect (Turffontein) secured his third consecutive stakes race with a hard-fought victory over stablemate Hellova Street (Helike {USA}) to win the Listed Mowbray S. at Launceston.

Well-supported off his wins in the Listed Tasmanian S. and Listed Thomas Lyons S., the Scott Brunton trained 5-year-old looked in trouble at the top of the straight when he missed a run and had to cut back to follow Hellova Street through in the run.

He eventually got into the clear and denied Hellova Street a fourth straight win in the race by 0.2l, with Zatacla (Al Maher) in third, another 0.5l back.

The winner takes his prizemoney to over $600,000 with a 13th win from 24 starts and will now go for a spell.

Pedigree notes:

Bred by Mandy Gunn, Mandela Effect is one of three winners from three foals to race for Morell (West Quest {Can}), who returned to Turffontein to produce a filly in 2018 and a colt in 2019.

Morell is a half-sister to Royal Work (Matsqui), who won eight races and placed in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas, while the second dam is a half-sister to the stakes-winner and sire Persian Saint (Rajah Sahib {NZ}), while another of her siblings is the dam of G1 AJC Sires’ Produce S. winner Mighty Manitou (Manihi).

Hastings, G2 Little Avondale Lowland S., NZ$100,000, 2100m

Race summary:

Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) claimed back-to-back Group 2 victories and franked her credentials for the upcoming G1 New Zealand Oaks with an effortless win in the G2 Little Avondale Lowland S. at Hastings.

The Shaune Ritchie trained filly sat just of the pace and swooped on the leaders at the top of the straight, powering away to win by 4l, from the Tony Pike-trained Loire (NZ) (Redoute's Choice), with Showbeel (NZ) (Savabeel) completing a popular trifecta, another 1.5l back in third.

Jennifer Eccles has now won three of her ten starts, with all those victories at Group 2 level.

Pedigree notes:

Jennifer Eccles was bred by the Westend Partnership and is out of Platinum Elle (Elnadim {USA}), who is the dam of two winners from four runners. Since producing Jennifer Eccles in 2016, she has produced a colt by Sweynesse. In the 2019 season, she was served by stallion What’s The Story (NZ).

Second dam Lady Tee (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) won two races and placed in the G3 Eulogy S., and she is a half-sister to the dam of Group 2 winner Puttanesca (NZ) (Bertolini {USA}), while the third dam, Waikiki (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}), won nine races including two editions of the G2 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S., which is now a Group 1 race.

Yearling Showcase

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To be included in the yearling showcase send an email to olivia@tdnausnz.com.au and tag us in your socials

Star Witness x Kiss The Sun (colt)

Lot 244 - Inglis Premier Yearling Sale

Vendor: Widden Stud (as agent)

Owners: Star Witness Bloodstock (Tim Davis and Mark Corvo)

TDN AusNZ: Why was the mare chosen to see the particular stallion?

Star Witness Bloodstock: "We have a great connection with Star Witness, having raced him and remained in him as a stallion at Widden. The full-sister ‘Kimberley Star’ was a very fast and tough mare and certainly unlucky to not be a stakes winner in her own right (she was stakes placed on multiple occasions). The full-brother ‘Beauty Supreme’ was a stunning yearling who was a last start winner by 4l for the Grahame Begg stable whilst another full-sister is with David Vandyke and apparently going along very nicely."

TDN AusNZ: What was the foaling down like etc?

Star Witness Bloodstock: "The foaling was very straightforward, in fact she foaled spot on her due date and the young colt was on the suck almost immediately."

1/2

TDN AusNZ: What was the horse like as a weanling?

Star Witness Bloodstock: "He handled the weanling process smoothly. An independent colt with a relaxed attitude. He was a lovely colt as a weanling yet you knew given the quality of the older siblings he was going to develop even further. He’s an imposing colt and I know the team at Widden have been impressed with his progress."

TDN AusNZ: How is the horse handling prep so far? Does it have a nickname? Particular traits/personality? What sale is it heading to? What Lot number?

Star Witness Bloodstock: "He’s really thrived off the prep which is a great sign and, like the majority of the Star Witness progeny, he has a genuine and willing attitude. Thankfully, this colt appears to share a similar application to his work than that of his well-performed sister, Kimberley Star. He’s by a proven stallion who has sired the likes of Global Glamour, Star Turn, Graff, Aim etc and of course he’s from a proven stakes-producing Anabaa mare who is 100 per cent runners to winners. I think the market is focusing a little firmer on yearlings that have proven pedigrees to back them up so we’re excited to offer this colt at Premier."

Dundeel (NZ) x Aromas (colt)

Lot 34 - Inglis Premier Yearling Sale

TDN AusNZ: Could you tell us a little about this yearling's breeding?

Cityview Farm Manager; Carla Aliphon: “The Dundeel progeny are popular and performing very well on the track. The dam Aromas is a half-sister to Group 1-winning Barkada and related to Group 1 winners Strawberry Fair, Salvino’s Pride, Solo Traveller and Redberry Lane."

Lot 34 - Dundeel (NZ) x Aromas (colt)

TDN AusNZ: How is the yearling handling the sale so far?

Cityview Farm Manager; Carla Aliphon: “This colt has been the most popular so far, he sells on Sunday at around 11am. We couldn’t be happier with the interest in our yearlings and look forward to Sunday and Monday when they go through the ring. To inspect this yearling please visit Barn C, stables 52-54."

@tdnausnz #yearlingprep

Daily News Wrap

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No Newmarket for Nature Strip

Trainer Chris Waller has withdrawn Nature Strip (Nicconi) from Saturday week’s G1 Newmarket H.

The 5-year-old triple Group 1 winner will instead contest the G2 Challenge S. at Randwick on the same day with Waller saying the 58kg impost in the Newmarket would be too much.

“The ownership group and I have been weighing up our options as to where he should have his next run,” Waller wrote.

“There is obviously the option to run in the G1 Newmarket Handicap where he would carry 58kg, which would make things very tough for him giving a lot of weight to some top-class horses.

“It has not been an easy decision but we have now made a final call to bring him back to Sydney and prepare him for the Challenge Stakes.

“He has some big targets over the next four months which will, all going well, include a run in the TJ Smith (Stakes) during The Championships and also fulfil a lifetime goal of the owners to have a runner at Royal Ascot.”

Eight in for Guineas

Eight horses will contest Saturday's G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington with Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) drawing barrier two and Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) barrier four.

The pair memorably matched motors in the recent G3 CS Hayes S. with Alligator Blood getting the honours on that occasion.

The horse that ran third in that race, Anthony Freedman's Chenier (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}), has drawn barrier five, while WA raider Superstorm (Sebring) comes from barrier seven.

Last start G1 CF Orr S. winner Alabama Express (Redoute's Choice) has drawn barrier six, Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) has barrier three, Soul Patch (Shamus Award) the inside and the maiden Commodus (Uncle Mo {USA}), barrier eight.

Surround quality at top end

A quartet of previous Group 1 winners highlight Saturday's G1 Surround S. at Rosehill.

G1 Flight S. winner Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) resumes and must overcome barrier 14 in the 14-horse field, while Golden Slipper S. winner Kiamichi (Sidestep) has barrier six with stablemate Flit (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}), the G1 Thousand Guineas winner next to her in barrier seven.

Funstar

The Anthony Freedman-trained Lyre (Lonhro) has come up with barrier two, while Kiwi mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) will have plenty of options from barrier five and Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) the inside alley.

Unbeaten filly How Womantic (The Wow Signal {Ire}) will need to overcome barrier 13.

Avilius ready for Randwick

Trainer James Cummings is confident Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) can get back to his best in Saturday's G1 Chipping Norton S. at Randwick.

Avilius was fifth beaten 1.75l first-up in the G1 CF Orr S. but steps up to the 1600 metres where he has three wins from five starts.

Avilius (GB)

"He’s bounced back in tip-top shape from his excellent return at Caulfield a few weeks ago,” Cummings said.

“There’s a brightness to his eye, he’s swishing his tail and his coat has that sunburnt look that he gets at this time of year. We’re looking at a balance between a swagger and a squeal as he goes onto the track in the morning.”

The Godolphin import has drawn barrier eight for the Group 1 race.

Gingernuts given Derby honour

Triple Group 1 winner Gingernuts (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) will return to the scene of his G1 New Zealand Derby triumph when he leads the field out at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The 2017 Derby winner would go on to capture the G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000 metres) for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards as well as the G1 Windsor Park Plate before a serious leg injury ended his career after just 12 starts.

He fractured his pastern and was nursed back to health but retired from racing and has since resided at Te Akau Stud.

"We really believe that he can be a wonderful ambassador for racing and would love to see him enjoy more activities that benefit racing and in particular deserving equine and youth charities," Te Akau's Karyn Fenton-Ellis said.

"Jerry has a hashtag #jerrylove and we are working on a plan to have him carry out more ambassadorial activities for charity that will reinforce how much this industry loves our horses, and how cared for they are after racing."

Coronavirus Steering Group in place

The British Horseracing Authority is prepared to act–if the need arises–regarding any potential coronavirus impact on fixtures, including the Cheltenham Festival. BHA chief executive Nick Rust has confirmed an industry steering group is in place to consider the implications of the virus.

Rust, speaking on a Betfair podcast, said, “We have an industry group in place that has been and continues to work on the potential impact of the coronavirus on the horse racing industry as a whole.

“The BHA executive met with the team at Cheltenham Racecourse on Monday morning to discuss final plans for the Festival, and the coronavirus was discussed at that meeting.”

The PA News agency understands the steering group– comprising the BHA, Racecourse Association and horsemen– sees no need as yet for new contingency plans other than to continue to liaise with the Government.

Rust added, “In terms of potential ramifications for the Festival, any decision that impacts on it taking place will not be a decision that racing makes, but rather the Government. "

Almond Eye ready for defence

2018 Japanese Horse of the Year and six-time Group 1 winner Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is in good form as she prepares to defend her G1 Dubai Turf title at Meydan on March 28.

The Silk Racing colourbearer will return to trainer Sakae Kunieda’s base at Miho this week before contesting the US$6 million (AU$9,124,158) 1800-metre feature over the grass in Dubai.

Successful in the 2018 Japanese Filly Triple Crown and G1 Japan Cup that same year, the 5-year-old was most recently ninth in the G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama on December 22. She will be joined by stablemate Curren Bouquetd’or (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), placed three times at the highest level. Racing for Takashi Suzuki, the 4-year-old, a bridesmaid in the G2 Kyoto Kinen in her seasonal bow on February 16, is targetting the 2410-metre US$6 million (AU$9,124,158) Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

“Both fillies are planning on coming,” Kunieda said. “Almond Eye was tired after her Arima run, but she has rebounded well and will be coming back to Miho [Training Centre] this week. We never really thought of the Sheema Classic [with her], as the Turf suits her so well. We will prep her the same as we did last year.

“Curren Bouquetd’or came out of her race last week well,” he continued. “The winner just loved the ground, though our filly can run on any ground. She is best on counter-clockwise courses like Tokyo and Dubai, so I’m not worried about her ability to run well in Dubai. She came out of her race in good order and she will train together with Almond Eye once she gets to the training centre.”

Goffs UK Doncaster Breeze Up Sale catalogue out

The catalogue for the Goffs UK Doncaster Breeze Up Sale, featuring a Kodiac (GB) half-brother to G1 Manhattan S. victor Slumber (GB) (Cacique {Ire}) (Lot 154) from Grove Stud, is now online.

A total of 165 juveniles will aim to follow in the hoofsteps of 2019 Royal Ascot scorer A’Ali (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) who saluted in the G2 Norfolk S. and last year’s £450,000 sale topper Al Raya (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who went on to claim the G3 Prix d’Arenberg at Chantilly in August. The breeze-up portion of the sale will take place at Doncaster Racecourse beginning at 11 am on April 22, with the sale starting at the same time one day later at the Doncaster Sales Complex.

The catalogue boasts offspring from a variety of sires including Invincible Spirit (Ire)’s son Kingman (GB) who has one juvenile–a Gaybrook Lodge Stud-consigned colt as Lot 31. He is a product of the SP Asaawir (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) and is also a half-brother to GSPs Marsh Hawk (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Hairy Rocket (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). French sire Siyouni (Fr) has a filly (Lot 61) also slated to sell from Gaybrook Lodge. The latter is out of an Oasis Dream (GB) half-sister to Group 3 winner Pincheck (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

Looking Ahead - February 27

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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 Thursday, an in-form 2-year-old stable debut a Fastnet Rock colt at Kilmore, where Anthony Freedman steps out a filly from a top-quality mare, while at Newcastle a promising Godolphin filly looks for her first win.

Kilmore, Race 1, 1:30pm AEDT, bet365 Racing refund 2YO Mdn, $23,000, 1100m

Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have had quite the week with their 2-year-olds after Letzbeglam (Snitzel) won the G1 Blue Diamond S. and like that filly, the colt Obligatory (Fastnet Rock) is by a champion Australian sire out of an American mare.

Obligatory as a yearling

In this case, the mare is the Grade 3 winner Neccasary Evil (USA) (Harlan's Holiday {USA}), who is from the family of English Group 3 winner Sergei Prokofiev (Can) (Scat Daddy {USA}).

This colt, who cost Aquis $140,000 at last year's Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, trialled well recently at Cranbourne, showing the pace to lead early before finishing second having been largely untouched in the final 100 metres.

Kilmore, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, The Bendigo Club 3YO Fillies Mdn, $23,000, 1100m

Groovy Kinda Love (Smart Missile) is the first foal to the track from multiple Group 3-winning mare Epingle (NZ) (Pins). Epingle is a daughter of a stakes winner herself, in Etoile Du Nord (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and is a sister to stakes-placed Etoile Filante (Pins) and half-sister to Listed placegetter Thurston (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}).

Smart Missile, sire of Groovy Kinda Love

This filly cost Dermot Farrington $140,000 at the 2018 Melbourne Premier Sale. Trained by Anthony Freedman, she was given a very comfortable recent jump-out at Balnarring, finishing second under a hold and it wouldn't surprise to see her make an impression on debut.

Newcastle, Race 2, 1:50pm AEDT, Simtrack 3YO Mdn, $35,000, 1300m

Godolphin filly Thermosphere (Exosphere) has come up against some very good 2-year-olds in her two starts to date, finishing fourth on debut to Prague (Redoute's Choice) and then second, beaten 0.4l by Spokesman (Press Statement) at Canterbury. This shapes as a very good place for her to break her maiden.

Exosphere, sire of Thermosphere | Standing at Darley Kelvinside

She is the second foal to the track from Glows (Canny Lad) who won a Listed Typhoon Tracy S., one of six winners from stakes-placed Perle (Night Shift {USA}), along with multiple stakes-winner Falaise (Grand Lodge {USA}).