Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Global Ausbred will on Saturday look to emulate the deeds of triple Group 1-winning 3-year-old Hitotsu by becoming a Derby-winning son of Maurice.
And, if he does happen to get the job done in the $1 million Queensland Derby, he will become a valuable colt.
Global Ausbred’s sire is leading the second-season premiership and has produced two Group 1 winners (Hitotsu and Mazu), for four Group 1 triumphs.
The colt is out of 2005 Listed Keith Nolan Classic heroine Ponte Piccolo (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), who also placed twice in Group 3 company
Global Ausbred is also a half-brother to Hong Kong great Able Friend (Shamardal {USA}), a one-time world champion sprinter, Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year and Champion Miler, and a four-time Group 1 winner. Able Friend bowed out with 12 wins from 24 starts in Hong Kong for earnings of HK$61,333,624 (AU$10.99 million).
Furthermore, Ponte Piccolo’s half-sister, Global News (NZ) (Jetball), is a Group 1 winner, and Group 2-winning mare Big Barron (NZ) (Half Iced {USA}) is also on the page.
Global Ausbred at Canterbury | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“It would be very handy if he was to win on Saturday; there’s only him and Hitotsu that would be Group 1 colts by Maurice. It would be more than exciting to say the least,” Global Ausbred’s breeder and owner, Chris Lawlor, told TDN AusNZ.
“The horse is 16.3hh and his racing weight is 560kg; he’s an equine Adonis, he’s such a good-looking horse.”
“The horse (Global Ausbred) is 16.3hh and his racing weight is 560kg; he’s an equine Adonis, he’s such a good-looking horse.” - Chris Lawlor
Global Ausbred, who is trained by Brad Widdup and will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, has had seven starts, winning three of his past four, but has had his share of bad luck along the way.
“In my humble opinion, he should have won his last four starts. It was only the (bog) track that beat him at Hawkesbury (two runs ago). (Jockey) Willie Pike came back and said he was entitled to lay down in the straight, but he just never stopped, he doesn’t know how to,” Lawlor explained.
“I think he’s had a perfect preparation.
Chris and Lynne Lawlor | Image courtesy of International Animal Health Products
“His last five starts have all been against older horses; he now goes back to 3-year-old grade.
“We had a lot of good jockeys ring up asking for the ride, but we decided to go with Kerrin. We booked him early and he committed.”
Where the journey started
In foal to Manhattan Rain, Ponte Piccolo was offered by Stuart Ramsey’s Turangga Farm at the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale. She was bought for $35,000 by Randwick Bloodstock Agency for Chris and his wife Lynne.
Soon after, the Lawlors were pretty chuffed with their purchase.
“Able Friend turned up on the scene a couple of months later, having his first start in Hong Kong and absolutely blew them away. He ran 1:08.95 for 1200 metres,” Lawlor said.
Five-time Hong Kong Group 1 winner Able Friend | Image courtesy of the HKJC
Lawlor was in Hong Kong for International Day in 2016, when Maurice signed off his stellar career by thrashing his rivals in the G1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin.
Mesmerised by the performance, Lawlor was desperate to book a date for Ponte Piccolo with the Japanese superstar.
“I just fell in love with the horse (Maurice), I just thought he was unbelievable,” he said.
“Arrowfield announced that they were bringing him out to Australia and I reckon I got the first bookings – one with Ponte Piccolo and the other with her half-sister Ausbred Friend. Ponte Piccolo produced Global Ausbred and Ausbred Friend produced Daichi.”
“Arrowfield announced that they were bringing him (Maurice) out to Australia and I reckon I got the first bookings – one with Ponte Piccolo and the other with her half-sister Ausbred Friend." - Chris Lawlor
Chasing the ultimate success
The Lawlors have been breeding and racing horses since 1980. They’ve had runners in Group 1 races, but never realised their dream of winning one.
Obviously, they hope that changes on Saturday.
“It’s hard enough getting a runner into a Group 1, let alone winning it,” Lawlor remarked.
“I think he’s a big chance, I really do. He’s certainly no slouch.
“We’d love to win it, not only for us, but for Brad (Widdup), too. It would be great for him to finally get his first Group 1 with our horse, it would give us great satisfaction. He is a very dedicated and talented trainer.
"It would be great for him (Brad Widdup) to finally get his first Group 1 with our horse (Global Ausbred), it would give us great satisfaction. He is a very dedicated and talented trainer." - Chris Lawlor
“He is overdue for a major win, having come so close with Icebath.”
Lawlor is the managing director of International Animal Health, which manufacture and market a range quality Australasian-owned products for cattle, horses, sheep, goat, pigs and poultry.
Maurice (Jpn) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
He has been in Broome, Western Australia for business, but will be at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
“Absolutely, we will be there. Nothing’s going to stop us,” he commented.
Sadly, Ponte Piccolo died in 2019 after having a haemorrhage while in foal to Dundeel (NZ).
Maurice stands at Arrowfield Stud for $82,500 (inc GST).
