Million-dollar Neasham colt lives up to the hype in debut performance

Written by

Jessica Owers

8 min read

Sydney midweek meetings continued their strong form on Wednesday with the $1.8 million colt Man In The Mirror (Not A Single Doubt) hinting at bigger things after an impressive debut win at Warwick Farm.

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

If flashy looks account for anything, the 2-year-old colt Man In The Mirror will have plenty of trackside fans as he continues his racing career with trainer Annabel Neasham.

At Warwick Farm on Wednesday the white-faced colt won his debut race, The Agency Real Estate H. over 1000 metres, which went a way towards justifying his $1.8 million yearling price tag.

Man In The Mirror is raced in the colours of Aquis' Park’s Fung family, which bought the racy colt at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was bred and sold by Emirates Park Stud, and he was the joint-second highest-selling horse at that Sale.

Man In The Mirror as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

On Wednesday, Man In The Mirror came into his debut race with two very good trials behind him.

He’d first appeared in a Canterbury heat in late November where he was second to Hell I Am (Hellbent) and, a fortnight later, he won a 900-metre scamper against Mr Putin (Russian Revolution) at Rosehill.

Ridden at Warwick Farm by Tommy Berry, the colt came out of barrier one in respectable fashion. Neasham had expressed pre-post concern at drawing the inside marble for the colt, but it proved uneventful, and Man In The Mirror settled fourth behind the quick tempo of Mr Putin.

Man In The Mirror (white cap) and Hell I Am trialling | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Around the turn the leader kicked along with D’Arpano (Brazen Beau) at his flank, while the Godolphin colt Northumbria (Exceed And Excel) towed Man In The Mirror along.

In the straight, the Neasham colt had to peel off the rail to find room, and he showed plenty of dash from the 200 metres to reel in the leaders. Between horses the filly Paris Dior (Pierro) was very good late, but the final margins were Man In The Middle by 0.22l to Paris Dior, with Mr Putin staying put for third by 1.21l.

The time was 57.91s for the 1000 metres on the Good 4, the last 600 metres in 34.31s.

Too short, still won

By all accounts, the 1000-metre sprint was as sharp as Man In The Mirror is expected to run. Neasham said the colt would be better over further, which the narrow result seemed to suggest.

“He’ll get better over a little bit more ground,” the trainer said post-race. “The 1000 metres of today was certainly as short as we would have wanted to go. He’s a lovely colt and he’s got so much improvement to come, so this will be some nice confidence for him going forward.”

Man In The Mirror | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Despite two very good trials, Neasham said Man In The Mirror was still green in his race on Wednesday.

“It’s funny, they can look so professional at the trials and then you bring them to the races and it does show that they’re having their first start sometimes,” she said. “He was having a bit of a look around but he got there in the end.”

“It’s funny, they can look so professional at the trials and then you bring them to the races and it does show that they’re having their first start sometimes.” - Annabel Neasham

Neasham admitted that the hefty price tags on horses like this could often make their debut races a pressured experience. She said it was a relief to get this one out of the way.

“I’d probably be lying if it wasn’t,” she said. “It is always, particularly when you just know he’s a nice colt and you want him to deliver for connections. He was very well-selected by Shane McGrath and he’s an absolute beauty of a colt. Hopefully he can go on to bigger and better things in the autumn.”

Jockey Tommy Berry thought equally well of the colt’s debut effort.

Annabel Neasham

“I was a little bit worried about the 1000 metres with him because it’s short of what his best trip is going to be,” Berry said. “That’s why the winkers were put on today and, in both trials, he’s been outside of horses so he wasn’t comfortable where he was, which worried me in the run.”

The jockey said the colt wanted to lay in still when they found running in the straight, and he added that Man In The Mirror returned to scale like he didn’t know what happened.

“He’s one of those horses that I’ve ridden in jump-outs and such, and he just had that natural ability,” Berry said. “There was nothing that really stood out, he just oozed that little bit of class. He’s got a lot of improvement in him, probably more improvement than some of the 2-year-old winners I’ve ridden this year.”

“He’s (Man In The Mirror) one of those horses that I’ve ridden in jump-outs and such, and he just had that natural ability.” - Tommy Berry

The jockey added that Man In The Mirror had good things ahead.

“He’s obviously a Magic Millions horse so they’ve got that option, but he could be a little bit better than that hopefully,” Berry said.

Man In The Mirror and Tommy Berry | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Cool customer

Man In The Mirror was born and bred at Emirates Park Stud from his dam, the Group 3-winning broodmare One More Honey (Onemorenomore). She was raced by Emirates Park after she was purchased at foot with her dam, One Funny Honey (USA) (Distorted Humour {USA}), at the dispersal sale of Patinack Farm in 2014.

One More Honey was part of a three-horse package because her dam was in foal when selling to Emirates Park for just $50,000. The subsequent foal was the Group 1 winner Vega One (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

On the track, One More Honey was more than respectable.

She won the G2 Sweet Embrace S. and was fourth in the G1 Flight S. behind Alizee (Sepoy) in 2017. She ran consistently in stakes company throughout her career before retiring back to Emirates Park.

One More Honey when racing | Image courtesy of Sportpix

She went to Not A Single Doubt in her first year at stud, and the result was the flashy Man In The Mirror.

“You could see from his race today that he’s a very laid-back customer,” Bryan Carlson, stud manager at Emirates Park, said of the colt. “As he was walking around the parade ring, nothing really fazed him, and he was like that the whole way through as a foal and yearling. Even at the Sale, he was out plenty of times and nothing worried him.

"He’s a very cool, collected customer, and you could see that he only did enough to win his race. There’ll be plenty of improvement in him.”

“You could see from his (Man In The Mirror's) race today that he’s a very laid-back customer.” - Bryan Carlson

Carlson remembers Man In The Mirror as a cool kid on the farm. The colt always had his tongue out in photos, and the stud manager said the horse would likely gather something of a cult following with his big, white face.

Big money

Man In The Mirror’s $1.8 million price tag was a surprise even for Emirates Park.

“He was the first foal out of a good mare, but you never go to a horse sale expecting to make big money,” Carlson said. “We thought he’d sell well, but you never expect they’ll make $1.8 million. It was a great result, especially being the first foal out of a mare that we raised.”

“He (Man In The Mirror) was the first foal out of a good mare, but you never go to a horse sale expecting to make big money.” - Bryan Carlson

Carlson said the original Patinack purchase has turned out very well for Emirates Park.

“The three of them were a bargain buy,” he said. “But at the time, there wasn’t much going for the family. One More Honey wasn’t really the flavour so we decided to keep her and race her, and she turned out to be really good for us. She was a good filly and she was a beautiful type.”

With Man In The Mirror the mare’s first foal, One More Honey foaled a colt by Zoustar in 2020. That horse, now a yearling, is headed to the 2022 Inglis Easter Sale. Carlson said he’s a horse worth looking at.

Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud

“He’s a lovely colt,” he said. “He’ll be well-looked at at Easter and, after his half-brother’s run (on Wednesday), we’ll be watching closely in the run up to that Sale.”

One More Honey has a filly at foot by Snitzel, which was born at Emirates Park on October 19, and she isn’t currently in foal.

Man In The Mirror

Annabel Neasham

Fung Family

Bell River Thoroughbreds returns to the Gold Coast

Written by

Bryan Littlely

7 min read

When Andrew and Georgie Ferguson walk into the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale next month, it is as crew, not captains, of the new-look Bell River Thoroughbreds team on its return from a five-year hiatus.

Cover image courtesy of Bell River Thoroughbreds

At the helm of Bell River Thoroughbreds now are the Ferguson sons, James and Jock, in what has been a move that has reinvigorated the family’s enthusiasm for producing quality horses at the Dungog property to which they relocated in 2018.

“The boys have sort of reinvigorated Georgie and my own enthusiasm,’’ Andrew Ferguson said. “They’re basically driving the ship at the minute, James and Jock. And Georgie and I are trying to help them steer it. That’s the simple way of doing it without making too many mistakes.

“It’s all the challenges of a family, but with the challenges come the rewards of doing it as a family. There’s a lot of reward in watching your boys do this. At the minute, Georgie and I are watching them grow into men doing what they’re doing and working alongside of them.

Jock, Andrew and James Ferguson | Image courtesy of Bell River Thoroughbreds

Ferguson said the rewards were witnessing the achievements and successes of the boys as they go through life.

“And when you get results with the horses, it is very satisfying as a family,” he said.

That success, they hope, will shine strong on the Gold Coast when they take one filly and three colts to the Sale.

“Wherever you end up, whatever sale you go to, you really want your horses in the top 20 to 30 per cent of a sale because you’ve got more people to look at them and less chance of having maybe only one or two buyers on them,” he said. ‘’So we are taking the cream to the Gold Coast.’’

James Ferguson

The Extreme Choice factor

It is hard to look past the only filly in the four-horse Bell River Magic Millions draft as being the likely show-stealer for the Dungog breeders.

Even with plenty to still get excited about with the colts, Lot 105, by the star performer and their very own graduate Extreme Choice out of Heart Of Tier (Show a Heart), promises to get the hearts of the buying-bench racing.

Lot 105 - Extreme Choice x Heart Of Tier (filly) Image courtesy of Bell River Thoroughbreds

“She’s the pick of the lot. She’s a cracker,’’ said Ferguson. “I’ve actually got four yearlings by him (Extreme Choice) to sell this year, and four to sell by him next year.

“This filly was born and bred here. It was a mare I bought in foal to Pierro. The Pierro colt did have an injury and I ended up selling him at the June (2020) Sale, and he made $250,000 to Sam and Anthony Freedman.

“We actually stayed in him. He’s only had one start and he got a bit lost. We’ve applied the blinkers and he’ll start before this filly is sold. They’ve got an opinion of him.”

“She’s (Lot 105) the pick of the lot. She’s a cracker.” - Andrew Ferguson

Of Lot 105, Ferguson said there was plenty to like.

“This filly’s got lovely scope and good stretch. She has an unbelievable walk. She is just a quality filly. Everyone who’s seen the Extremes tell me she’s right up there with the best for the Sale. We’ll find out when we get up to the Gold Coast whether she is or not.’’

Ferguson points out that the filly is exactly the same cross as Extreme Warrior (Extreme Choice), and he heaped praise on the Bell River graduate and now sire Extreme Choice, who stands at Newgate Farm.

Extreme Warrior | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

“The mix works. I looked up the stats of that stallion the other day, and I think out of his last seven runners he’s had five winners. He’s just a freak. He’s incredible. The fact that we bred him, it’s unreal. To think that we bred a bloke like that and he’s doing what he’s doing is just incredible.

“It’s a shame for the buyers there’s not more of them but, from my selling point of view, I’m pretty happy there’s bugger all of them because they’re like little nuggets of gold. They’re going to be very hard to secure.”

“It’s a shame for the buyers there’s not more of them (progeny of Extreme Choice) but, from my selling point of view, I’m pretty happy there’s bugger all of them because they’re like little nuggets of gold.” - Andrew Ferguson

The filly is closely related to Wisdom of Water (Headwater), a winner last week of the R. Listed Magic Millions Wyong 3YO and 4YO S., which adds that extra kick to the unrivalled record of Extreme Choice.

Colts reflect farm motto

Of the colts, there are three in what is a boutique draft that is very much reflective of Bell River Thoroughbreds’ motto of ‘Small Farm, Big Results’.

One is by veteran sire Exceed And Excel out of Queen Of The World (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and he is of great interest.

From the same family as last month’s Listed Prix Ceres placegetter Romanosa (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), the colt is listed as Lot 408 in the catalogue for the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Exceed And Excel | Standing at Darley

“He’s a later foal, but having said that, when you look at him you wouldn’t think he’s a late foal,’’ Ferguson said. “He has a lovely presence. I can see him running before Christmas, even being a November foal. He just has a lot of quality about him. A lot of things you look at, and out of a Sea The Stars mare.

“He’s got plenty of depth and plenty of substance. A good worker and lovely attitude. He does nothing wrong. It’s going to be exciting to see what the market place thinks of him when he gets there.’’

“I can see him (Lot 408) running before Christmas, even being a November foal. He just has a lot of quality about him.’’ - Andrew Ferguson

The Cambridge Stud-standing Almanzor (Fr) progeny have certainly proved themselves in the Gold Coast sales ring and continue to land success on the track.

Just last week, Almanzor was credited with another 2-year-old victor, the shuttle stallion’s ninth first-crop winner in the Northern Hemisphere, when Amanera (Ire) landed in the winner’s circle for trainer Joseph O’Brien in Ireland.

Almanzor (Fr) | Standing at Cambridge Stud

Out of She Is Stryking (Stryker), her only named filly Danger Strykes (NZ) (Astern) winning on debut as a 2-year-old, this Almazor colt will be the last of the Bell River yearlings to go under the hammer, and will appear as Lot 510.

Ferguson said: “He’s a big scopey horse, this bloke. I think everyone who has a look at him will walk away pleasantly surprised. He (Almanzor) has certainly set the world on fire.’’

“He’s (Lot 510) a big scopey horse, this bloke. I think everyone who has a look at him will walk away pleasantly surprised.’’ - Andrew Ferguson

Completing the compact draft for Bell River Thoroughbreds is a Better Than Ready colt from the Choisir mare New Wings who is a full brother to 2-year-old Bonaugura, which ran third on debut at Rockhampton 10 days ago.

This horse is out of a sibling to Liability (Redoute's Choice), who was a winner at the Gold Coast Turf Club on the weekend.

“Better Than Ready, he’s done no wrong in Queensland,’’ Ferguson pointed out. “He’s a big, strong, heavy horse, a muscular horse. There’s a bit of Choisir about him. They just seem to run and that’s what this colt looks like, a runner.’’

Click here to view Bell River Thoroughbreds' 2022 Magic Millions Sale draft

An Ace in the pack

Ferguson said his boutique draft for the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale was definitely the cream of the crop for Bell River Thoroughbreds and the result of hard work, good planning and a great property at Dungog that is well-suited to optimum results.

“I knew this country could breed a really good horse and it is proving me right,” he said. “We haven’t been to the Gold Coast for four or five years so it’s pretty exciting to take a team of this quality back to the Coast for the first time in that period.”

The Ferguson Family| Image courtesy of Bell River Thoroughbreds

The Ferguson family is thinking of its next premium result and a repeat of the success out of the 2016 Sale, which unearthed a champion from Bell River in Ace High, the G1 Victoria Derby winner and now Rich Hill Stud stallion.

"Hopefully there’s another Ace High in there somewhere,” Ferguson said.

Bell River Thoroughbreds

Andrew Ferguson

2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale

Extreme Choice

Wilkinson to join Danny O’Brien Racing

2 min read

Written by Jackson Frantz

After the best part of three years as head of bloodstock, Luke Wilkinson is departing Yulong Investments for a new role with Danny O’Brien Racing. It brings to a close a successful tenure for Wilkinson at the major Victorian breeding operation.

“My time at Yulong has been great,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed it. The growth of Yulong has been amazing to be involved with these last few years.”

Wilkinson’s time at Yulong coincided with considerable success for the farm.

There was the instalment of G1 Cantala S. winner Yulong Prince (SAf), who was the operation’s first Australian Group 1 winner, plus the homebred, dual Group 1-winning Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}), whom Wilkinson is especially fond of.

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Gallery: Some of Yulong Investments’ Group 1-winning horses

“She was a highlight,” he said. “Seeing her two Group 1 wins on the track while I was there, she holds a very special place in my heart as a great racehorse, and she has more wins in store, I’m sure.”

Wilkinson’s arrival at Yulong in early 2019 came after nearly a decade as the bloodstock manager for trainer Mick Price.

During those years, Wilkinson had sourced a tally of good horses, including the now Champion First Season Sire Extreme Choice, and he was involved in the careers of both Flying Artie and Tarzino (NZ).

Luke Wilkinson and Matt Laurie | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

His departure to Danny O’Brien will return him to the training environment.

“I’ve been thinking about working in a stable for some time now, and this opportunity that arose was something I couldn’t say no to,” Wilkinson said. “I’m excited to start this new role. Danny runs a fantastic stable with top-class facilities and, moving forward, he wants to drive the focus on the yearling sales and securing the very best horses.”

Luke Wilkinson

Yulong Investments

Danny O'Brien Racing

Rapid Reflections with Sheamus Mills

3 min read

In today's instalment of 2021/2022 Rapid Reflections, we feature a quickfire round with Sheamus Mills.

TDN AusNZ: Favourite racing moment of 2021?

Sheamus Mills: I really enjoyed the whole spring carnival this year. Not sure why but even with restrictions, etc., it felt "old school" to me and I think it connected with the public much more than in recent years. There were some elements that I think captivated the public a bit and hope can be replicated into future years.

TDN AusNZ: And favourite non-racing moment?

SM: Is there other stuff on?

TDN AusNZ: What are you most looking forward to in the new year?

SM: Probably a couple of things. Getting back on the sale circuit and reconnecting with people and the horses is high on the list. Sounds corny but my job is my hobby and passion, so I've missed that. The other would be seeing our young horses and headline acts back on the track. Had a terrible run of injuries and issues wipe out the spring pretty much for us except Daisies so look forward to them returning.

Dean Harvey and Sheamus Mills

TDN AusNZ: Whose progeny have impressed you so far on your Magic Millions inspections?

SM: If I look at my shortlist so far for Magic Millions it's very diverse.

TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?

SM: Peter V'Landys. So I could ring every major shareholder in the industry and invite them around for a few beers and a round table discussion on how we are going to make the racing industry rival the AFL or NRL in the leisure space. Then I'd tell them if I change my mind later don't listen to me and sign whatever needs to be signed before the day is out.

TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite stallion, and why?

SM: Must sit on the fence with this one as I'm as fickle as the market is with stallions I'd admit. If you have a good run with one you fall in love but it doesn't take a lot to get divorced if things go wrong. Written Tycoon was probably my last one given the involvement with Odeum and Literary Magnate but it could change pretty quickly.

Written Tycoon | Standing at Yulong Stud

TDN AusNZ: Favourite binge-worthy television show?

SM: Still have Breaking Bad as the title holder but plenty of good shows in 2021 - particularly sport documentaries such as The Last Dance, Untold Stories, Drive To Survive, Losers or Team Foxcatcher.

TDN AusNZ: Who do you think will take out the 2022 first season-sire honours?

SM: I'd lean towards Hellbent. Just look ready made to me and there are enough of them to achieve the task. Russian Revolution will be hot on his heels though and Merchant Navy to come late in the season and fill a place.

TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry in 2022?

SM: National programming. It may seem light years away from fruition but days like Caulfield Cup/Everest have shown that a multi-state approach can work for everyone. No state needs to "own" a particular time of year and once that notion is digested, I think it's a quick hop, skip and jump to something that can benefit the industry as a whole. It's genuinely achievable.

TDN AusNZ: What's your 2022 New Year's resolution?

SM: Find another hobby.

Rapid Reflections

Daily News Wrap

Sponsored by

6 min read

Dansili passes away aged 25

Juddmonte announced the death of its veteran stallion Dansili (GB) on Wednesday, the 25-year-old passing away after a short but aggressive illness at his lifelong home, Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket.

Bred by Juddmonte in 1996, Dansili, a son of Danehill (USA) from the blue-hen Kahyasi (Ire) mare Hasili (Ire), was a multiple Group winner and Group 1 placed. Described as a tough and consistent performer, among his wins was the G3 Prix Messidor, G2 Prix du Muguet and G3 Prix Edmond Blanc.

Dansili retired to Banstead in 2000, upon which he embarked on a glittering stud career. He sired such Group 1 winners as Harbinger (GB), Dank (GB), Flintshire (GB), Proviso (GB), Queen’s Trust (GB), The Fugue (GB) and Rail Link (GB). He was Champion Sire in France in 2006.

In Australia, Dansili was responsible for the Group 1 winners Foreteller (GB) and Grand Marshal (GB), the latter a winner of the G1 Sydney Cup, along with Permit (GB) and Renew (Ire). In total, the stallion got 16 stakes winners in Australia for 29 stakes wins that amassed close to $15 million in prizemoney.

Dansili was pensioned from sire duties in 2018, and Simon Mockridge, Juddmonte’s general manager in the UK, said the horse was “a truly wonderful, reliable and uncomplicated character as a stallion”.

Palazzo Spirit up for Coolangatta challenge

Matt Hoysted and Steven O’Dea are refusing to run scared of boom filly Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) in Sunday’s G3 BJ McLachlan S. at Doomben.

The Queensland-based training duo will saddle up Palazzo Spirit (Spirit Of Boom) in the 1200-metre contest after the Proven Thoroughbreds-owned colt led all the way to claim the Listed Phelan Ready S. at Eagle Farm on December 11.

Palazzo Spirit | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

"He's been very good since his last win in the Phelan Ready and his work on Tuesday was very good. Coolangatta obviously will be hard to beat but this will be a good guide for the Magic Millions,” Hoysted told Racing Queensland.

"I don't have an issue with him running 1200 metres; he's just been floating over the ground over 1000 metres and has stargazed a bit but I'd love to see him get a sit and chase."

Capitalist can’t be contained

Newgate Farm stallion Capitalist has extended his reign over the second-season sire standings by winners via the debut victory of Secret Note at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.

The Glenn Thornton-trained filly finished 0.5l the better of Island Magic (Hinchinbrook) with a narrow gap back to D’Esprit (Bel Esprit) in the 1200-metre contest.

Capitalist | Standing at Newgate Farm

With 24 winners from 96 runners this season, Capitalist boasts a three-win buffer over Vinery Stud’s Star Turn.

Maurice keeps on marching

Hakkai Maru’s second consecutive victory at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday marked another success for young Arrowfield Stud stallion Maurice (Jpn).

The dominant 4.8l last-start victor backed up her maiden romp by finishing 0.5l the better of All Stashed Up (Better Than Ready) and Magnitudo (Denman) in a 1000 metre Class 1 H.

Maurice currently occupies third position on the second-season sire standing, behind Capitalist and Star Turn, who have notched 24 and 21 respectively.

Maurice (Jpn) | Standing at Arrowfeild Stud

Eagle enters double digits

Alpine Blast’s long overdue breakthrough victory at Devonport on Wednesday marked the 10th winner this season for young Armidale Stud stallion Alpine Eagle.

The John Blacker-trained gelding has been a pillar of consistency this preparation, finishing in the minor placings on four consecutive occasions before accounting for Gee Gee Miss Quita (Clangalang) and Needs Remembering (Needs Further) at start number eight.

Alpine Eagle is now tied for 10th on the second-season sire standings by winners, alongside Mikki Isle (Jpn) and Winning Rupert.

Last chance saloon

Adrian Bott remains open-minded about the future prospects of Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) after it was announced on Tuesday that the 5-year-old was headed for Sydney.

Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, said owner Allan Endresz had always planned to place Alligator Blood in their care ahead of the autumn carnival.

Alligator Blood

“We’re going into it open-minded. It’s been a long time since he’s been winning, and in-between that he’s had a long lay-off due to injury,” Bott told RSN.

"We want to do the right thing by the horse, and this is his last opportunity to see if any form can be resurrected.”

Elephant back bigger and better

A more mature version of Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) will be on display during next year’s Melbourne autumn carnival, according to trainer David Browne.

The lightly raced 5-year-old, who was narrowly denied by subsequent Group 1 winner Superstorm (Sebring) in the G2 Feehan S. will race exclusively in Australia during his upcoming campaign and has been nominated for the lucrative the All-Star Mile.

Superstorm | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

"He's put on a lot of weight, he's a lot heavier than he's been and he's really well," Browne said.

"He looks really good and should be able to keep his condition this time in.”

Don’t doubt Beefeater

Tahlia Hope has urged punters not to put a line through Beefeater (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) in Sunday’s Listed Lord S. at Caulfield.

The apprentice hoop, who rode the Patrick Payne-trained Defibrillate (NZ) (Shocking) to an upset victory in last year’s edition of the 1700-metre feature, isn’t concerned about her mount's distant last on resumption at Pakenham.

“Defibrillate was actually on the same path last year. He kicked off on Pakenham Cup day in the same race (and was unplaced) then went into the Boxing Day race (Lord S.),” Hope told Racenet.

“He just indicated that he wanted more ground at Pakenham, he just blew out a bit in the straight, but I did think his run wasn’t too bad.”

Brown ready to repay the faith

Ethan Brown is back and ready to repay the faith in those who supported him throughout the course of a three-month suspension for attending an illegal Mornington Airbnb gathering in August.

Rather than shy away from his wrongdoing, Brown made the most of his enforced absence by riding frequent trackwork for Leon and Troy Corstens, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and Matt Laurie.

Ethan Brown | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

“Those trainers really supported me through my suspension. They provided me with plenty of work and kept me active,” Brown told Racenet.

“I still had a choice whether to go there and ride work or not but given they provided me with those opportunities, I was very grateful.”

Vale John Mason

Successful New Zealand-based owner/trainer John Mason has passed away in his mid-70s.

Retired Hall of Fame jockey Noel Harris wore Mason’s orange and white quartered colours to numerous wins, including the G3 Winter Cup and Listed Kiwifruit Cup on Real Vision (NZ), and the Listed Taumarunui Cup on Danzaman (NZ) (Danzalion {USA}).

“John was someone who pulled no punches, he was a very confident sort of guy,” Harris said.

“He was an old-school horseman who wasn’t scared to take on the good horses, and when you were on one of his you always knew it wouldn’t lack for fitness.”

Daily News Wrap

Looking Ahead - December 23

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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.

Thursday at Gosford, we pay attention to a half-brother to Darley shuttler Brazen Beau, and a lightly raced mare for the Kolivos family, plus a 2-year-old filly at Toowoomba with a Doncaster winner on her page.

Gosford Race 5, 3.40pm AEDT, Sidcon Maiden P., $35,000, 1200m

My Turn Astern, 3-year-old gelding (Astern x Sansadee {Snadee {USA}})

This unraced gelding for Annabel Neasham was a last-start second in a trial at Warwick Farm last week, and he’s one of three debutants in this field. He will have a handy pull in the weights with only 54.5kg on account of carrying apprentice Ellen Hennessy, albeit he’s drawn relatively wide (barrier 14).

My Turn Astern as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

My Turn Astern (Astern) was a $150,000 purchase for Gall Bloodstock from the draft of Yarraman Park at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He is from the Snadee (USA) mare Sansadee, making him a half-brother to no less than Darley sire Brazen Beau.

Gosford, Race 6, 4.15pm AEDT, George Brand Terrigal BM64, $35,000, 1100m

Twitch, 4-year-old mare (I Am Invincible x Blazing Snitzel)

The Mark Newnham-trained Twitch (I Am Invincible) is lightly raced with just three starts to her name, but she has been super-consistent across those with a win and two seconds.

Twitch as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

Last time out was at this track and distance where she was a runner-up to Forzanini (Pride Of Dubai), and her win also came at this track and distance last April.

Twitch is raced by Greg and Donna Kolivos’ Lightning Thoroughbreds, and she was a withdrawal by Newgate Farm from the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Her dam, Blazing Snitzel (Snitzel), is a half-sister to Excuse My French (French Deputy {USA}), who was a winner of the Listed Hobart Guineas and Listed Tasmanian Guineas before a successful career in Malaysia.

Toowoomba, Race 2, 2.55pm AEST, Platinum Roofing QTIS 2YO Mdn., $22,000, 1050m

Alert State, 2-year-old filly (Defcon x Repercussions (Quest For Fame {GB}})

Two-year-old Alert State (Defcon) is one among the Mishani-owned arsenal in this race. Trained by Les Ross at Eagle Farm, this filly has had just one start to date when second at Eagle Farm in October, and she’s been very consistent in two previous trials at Doomben.

Alert State as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Alert State is closely related to Tailleur (Shooting To Win), a winner of the G3 Triscay S. at Randwick. It’s also the family of the G1 Doncaster H. winner and later sire, Over (Dr Grace {NZ}).

This filly was sold by KBL Thoroughbreds at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale where she was picked up by Mishani Enterprises for $85,000.

Looking Back

Our Looking Ahead selections did very well on Wednesday. At Warwick Farm, both Man In The Mirror (Not A Single Doubt) and Pizarro (All Too Hard) won their respective races while at Sandown, our pick Shalily (Shalaa {Ire}) was fourth.

Looking Ahead

Looking Back

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Leneva Park - Broodmare Operations Manager

Full-Time Employment | Annual Salary package

Are you a broodmare manager looking for a new challenge? Or an experienced stud hand ready to take the next step in your career?

Leneva Park is hiring a Broodmare Operations Manager to oversee our breeding stock, young stock and day-to-day operations at our Gooram farm.

Leneva Park is a family-owned and run pre-training and breeding business and we have a passion for thoroughbreds. Our pre-training business is established as best in class in Victoria, and our breeding arm continues to develop, supported by exciting first-season stallion Fierce Impact (Jpn).

The successful applicant will have;

- Experience with all aspects of Broodmare care including reproductive preparation, foaling down and general health and wellbeing

- Experience with young thoroughbred stock including weaning and general yearling handling

- The ability to instruct and lead staff of varying levels of experience

- Experience with data entry in communications platforms such as Prism, Ardex or similar

- Strong time management and problem-solving skills

- Strong communication skills

Accommodation on a picturesque property and use of a company vehicle (work hours) is provided as a part of the salary package.

References are required.

Starting date: Early January 2022

Apply online via the form below.

If you have any questions, please email mick@lenevapark.com.au

Click here to apply for the Broodmare Manager's position

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

First Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Wednesday, December 22

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Thursday, December 23

First Season Sire Results

First Season Sire Runners

Second Season Sire Runners & Results

Second Season Sires’ Results

Results: Wednesday, December 22

Second Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Thursday, December 24

Second Season Sire Results

Second Season Sire Runners

NSW Race Results

1 min read