Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

At A Glance

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The aggregate for the sale at 6pm AEDT on Monday was $3,937,500, which is less than last year’s figure of $4,314,500, but better than the 2021 gross of $3,452,000. As with all sales, it is expected that some of the yearlings that were passed in will sell post-auction.

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The clearance rate improved from 81 per cent in 2022 to 85 per cent this year, while in 2021, it was 86 per cent.

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The 2023 average of $36,124 is slightly down on last year ($38,522), but marginally better than 2021 ($35,224).

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The median of $30,000 is very consistent across the past three years (it was $30,000 last year and $28,000 in 2021).

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Peter Morgan and Gall Bloodstock purchased the top lot, parting with $115,000 for Lot 131 - a Capitalist filly from the draft of Grenville Stud. The filly was one of three yearlings to realise six figures.

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The top-priced colt came from the Grenville Stud draft - Lot 71 (by Stratosphere). He was bought by John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA).

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Grenville Stud enjoyed a great day out, finishing with a gross of $1,115,000 and an average of $53,095 for 21 yearlings sold. They sold the four top lots, with three of them fillies.

A strong sale

Buyers from across Australia, and agents purchasing on behalf of international clients, were active at Quercus Park on Monday, as three yearlings reached six figures, headed by Grenville Stud’s sale-topper - a Capitalist filly, which fetched $115,000.

That filly is headed to the mainland, possibly to Ron Quinton’s Randwick stables, after Peter Morgan and Gall Bloodstock signed the docket.

At the close of play, close to $4 million was traded on 109 lots at an average price of $36,124, prompting Magic Millions’ Managing Director, Barry Bowditch, to label the 2023 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale a great success.

“We’re delighted with the results. We went in with some trepidation, thinking we might be off more than what we were, so to have a gross number of $3.9 million and a clearance rate that’s almost at 84 per cent, it’s a fantastic result,” Bowditch told TDN AusNZ.

“Outside of last year, which was a phenomenal year selling yearlings, it’s our second-best sale we’ve had down here (Tasmania), so it’s hard not to be happy and it keeps giving us confidence and the breeders confidence.”

More than 50 of the yearlings sold were purchased by overseas or interstate buyers.

“It’s always great to have the interstaters here to complement what the local buyers bring,” Bowditch added.

“It’s great that the locals stumped up and got a part of it; that’s really important for Tasmania, that we see some of these quality horses stay in the state and compete.”

Tasracing CEO, Andrew Jenkins, said the results are significant for the Tasmanian thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

“It’s been a successful day. To see the locals so active was great and it bodes well for the future of the industry in Tasmania,” he said.

“The results show the importance of the five-year contract extension that was recently announced between Magic Millions, Tasbreeders and Tasracing.”

Capitalist’s yearlings are well sought-after

Capitalist’s progeny have been popular since they entered the sales ring, and that trend has continued in 2023. At this year’s first sale, the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the Newgate Stud resident had 31 yearlings gross $8,730,000 at an average of $281,613. At the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1), he had four yearlings gross NZ$485,000 at an average of NZ$121,250. Then, at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale (Book 1), Capitalist’s 30 yearlings grossed $3,680,000 at an average of $122,667.

After finishing runner-up behind Maurice (Jpn) in the Second Season Sires’ table last season, Capitalist is once again having another successful campaign, sitting fifth on the table of Leading Australian 2YO Sires, 11th in the 3YO category and 20th overall.

He had just one entry (Lot 131) at Quercus Park on Monday and it would be the sale-topper, with Peter Morgan and Gall Bloodstock going to $115,000 for the filly from Sunrise Yellow (Fastnet Rock), from the Grenville Stud draft.

Capitalist has two entries for this week’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale and 14 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne.

Another strong sale for Grenville Stud

The McCullochs’ Grenville Stud has developed a reputation as being one of the pre-eminent nurseries on the ‘Apple Isle’ and they are always among the leading vendors at this sale.

The 2023 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale again proved fruitful for the Carrick-based operation, who finished as the leading vendor by gross, after selling 21 yearlings at an aggregate of $1,115,000 - an average of $53,095 (also a sale-best).

“We had a good sale and we’re very happy,” Graeme McCulloch told TDN AusNZ.

“To average near enough to $53,000 is a good result.

“We sold most of ours, which was good, and the ones that were passed in have had some interest so hopefully they will sell, too.”

Vendors by aggregate

Vendors by average (3 or more sold)

Stratosphere is all the rage in Tassie

Grenville Stud resident Stratosphere has made a huge impression in the breeding barn during his fledgling career. The son of Snitzel, who had just one start, finishing second in the 2018 G3 Canonbury S., currently sits seventh on the Australian First Season Sires’ table, with three individual winners from just nine runners.

On Sunday, Stratosphere had four of the 10 runners in the $85,000 Magic Millions Tasmania 2YO Classic at Launceston (and they finished second, fourth, fifth and sixth), which is some feat, considering he only had 53 live foals in his first crop.

Stratosphere, who stood his first season (in 2020) for a fee of $4400 (inc GST), finished Monday’s sale as the leading sire by aggregate, with his 12 yearlings grossing $635,500 at an average of $52,958 - second only in that category for stallions with three or more lots sold to Needs Further (his five yearlings averaged $60,100).

The most expensive Stratosphere yearling sold on Monday was Lot 47 - a filly from Ehor (Val Royal {Fr}), offered by Grenville Stud, while Lot 71 - a colt from the Grenville Stud draft - realised $100,000.

“They’re lovely horses and everyone that’s had them… I haven’t heard a bad word about them, to be honest,” Grenville Stud’s, Graeme McCulloch, told TDN AusNZ.

“They’ve got such good brains, they’re easy to work with and they can gallop.

“We’ve had very good reports and they’ve sold accordingly.”

Sires by aggregate

Sires by average (3 or more sold)

Non-Tasmanian buyers active

While the locals predictably made up the lion's share of the buying bench, there was strong representation from across the Tasman.

Tony and Calvin McEvoy, in partnership with Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA), spent $140,000 on three yearlings. They went to $25,000 for Lot 11 - a Gold Standard colt offered by Motree Thoroughbreds, before paying $30,000 for Lot 88 - a filly by Ilovethiscity from the Waterford Livestock draft. Their final purchase was Lot 108 - a Saxon Warrior (Jpn) colt consigned by Fairways Bloodstock.

As mentioned, Peter Morgan and Gall Bloodstock bought the top lot, while Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA), John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) and interstate trainers Darryl Carrison, Luke Oliver, Gordon Richards, Andrew Bobbin and Gavin Bedggood, were all among the purchasers.

Top buyers

Lot 131 - Capitalist x Sunrise Yellow, filly - $115,000

The sale-topper came late in the day, with Lot 131 - a Capitalist filly from Sunrise Yellow (Fastnet Rock), offered by Grenville Stud, making $115,000. She was bought by former trainer Peter Morgan, in partnership with Gall Bloodstock.

Morgan told TDN AusNZ he waited most of the day for the filly and was delighted to come away with her.

“There were a few nice ones, but she was the pick of the sale for mine, certainly the standout filly,” he remarked.

Morgan said she is a “typical Capitalist” yearling that should get up and going early.

“We need to get her back to Adrian Corboy at Wangaratta and get a bit of weight off her, she’s quite a heavy filly. Then, she could go to (trainer) Ron Quinton,” Morgan explained.

The filly’s dam raced just once, finishing sixth of 11 in a Sandown Maiden in 2017, before being sold (in-foal to Capitalist) at the 2021 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale. There, she made $180,000, with Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) and Grenville Stud buying.

Sunrise Yellow is a sister to Ephesian - a placegetter in the 2016 R. Listed Inglis Banner on debut and three-time winner. Sunrise Yellow is also a half-sister to the Listed winner Srumdiddlyumptious (USA) (Roman Ruler {USA}) and the stakes performer Hamsa (USA) (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}).

This is Sunrise Yellow’s second dam, with her first, a Pride Of Dubai colt named Hobe Sound, sadly dying without getting to the races.

The filly’s second dam, the unraced Livealifeoflove (USA) (Hennessy {USA}), is a half-sister to the stakes performers Delegating (Can) (Deputy Minister {Can}), Escrow Agent (USA) (El Gran Senor {USA}), K S Fury (USA) (Gulch {USA}, K. C. Super Pet (USA) (Gulch {USA}) and Viva Deputy (USA) (Deputy Minister {Can}).

Viva Sec (USA) (Secretariat {USA}) - a Listed victress, who chalked up 10 wins - is the filly’s third dam and she is a sister to Viva Aviva (USA) - the dam of the stakes winners Viva Zapata (USA) (Affirmed {USA}) and Valleycreek Kid (USA) (Septieme Ciel {USA}).

Other stakes winners on the filly’s page include Vica (USA) (Wild Again {USA}), Sheepscot (Easy Goer {USA}), Ready To Live (More Than Ready {USA}) and Astronomer Royal (USA).

“She’s from a Fastnet Rock mare that hasn’t had much luck,” Morgan said.

“Her pedigree is good, there’s plenty of black type in the family.”

Lot 47 - Stratosphere x Ehor, filly - $105,000

Also offered by Grenville Stud, this filly was knocked down to Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds, in partnership with Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA).

The filly is a half-sister to local star Turk Warrior (Outreach) - a winner of 11 races, including two in Listed company, as well as Sunday’s $75,000 Magic Millions Tasmania 3YO & 4YO Classic (1400 metres).

Ehor herself was a two-time Listed winner and she has produced six foals to race, with all of them winners.

The filly’s grandam, Love To Dance (NZ) (Citidancer {Ire}), won at Group 1 level and has thrown seven winners, including Ehor and the stakes performer Party Crasher (Jade Robbery {USA}), while Quality Coup (Elusive Quality {USA}) has produced the stakes performer Music Addition (Your Song).

Lot 71 - Stratosphere x In Harmony, colt - $100,000

This colt was bred and consigned by Grenville Stud and was bought by prominent bloodstock agent John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA).

He is from a 900-metre winner, who is a three-quarter sister to the Group 3 winner and Listed-producing sire King Of Danes, as well as Born Bold - the dam of Rafaello (Oratorio) - Singapore’s G3 Garden City Trophy hero. Also a half-sister to the stakes performers Latino (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}) and Mr Spock (Starcraft {NZ}), In Harmony (Exceed And Excel) has had six winners from seven foals to race.

The colt’s second dam, Impulsive Rhythm (Rubiton), was placed and two and she is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Rose O’War (Danehill {USA}) - the dam of the Listed victress Rose Of Peace (Hussonet {USA}), as well as the stakes winners Danehill Express, Gunnamatta (Snippets) and Mr Vitality (Snippets).

Lot 66 - Territories (Ire) x Hepatica, filly - $90,000

Bred and offered by Grenville Stud, this filly was purchased by Swettenham Stud and John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA).

She hails from a successful Darley family, being the first foal of an unraced Dawn Approach (Ire) mare, who is a half-sister to the Group 2 victor Gallatin (Street Cry {Ire}) and the stakes performer Union Gap (Elusive Quality {USA}).

Mayfield (GB) (Danehill {USA}) - a 1600-metre winner at two in France - is the filly’s second dam and she is a half-sister to the stakes winners Fractional (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}) and Needlecraft (Ire) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}).

The third dam is the Listed winner and Group 1 placegetter, Sharp Point (Ire) (Royal Academy {USA}), who is a three-quarter sister to the Group 1 hero Lavery (Ire) and a half-sister to the stakes winner High Target (Ire) (High Estate {GB}) - Fastest Star (H.K.).

Lot 123 - Puissance De Lune (Ire) x Shemakhan (NZ), colt - $90,000

Consigned by Brooklyn Park Stud, this bay or grey colt was signed for by Port Lincoln trainer Carrison.

He is a half-brother to the four-time Hong Kong winner Nearly Fine (Exosphere), as well as the winners Tori Toronado (Toronado {Ire}) and the Carrison-trained Shema (Flying Artie).

The colt is from an unraced Mastercraftsman (Ire) mare, who is half-sister to the Listed victor Top Act (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).

Shemiyra (Ire) (In The Wings {GB}) is the colt’s grandam and she is an unraced half-sister to the stakes winners Shemima (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), Shemala (Ire) (Danehill {USA}) and Shemaya (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}).

Closely related to Shelir (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) - a Group 2 placegetter in Dubai, the colt’s third dam is the Group 1 heroine Shemaka (Ire) (Nishapour {Fr}) and she herself is a half-sister to the Listed winner Sheriyna (Fr) (Darshaan {GB}).

Top lots

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

It was something of a relief for Suman Hedge of Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) when Elliptical won on Saturday, as he’d run into some very smart 3-year-olds during the spring.

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That campaign saw him twice place at the elite level, finishing runner-up in both the G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600 metres) and the G1 Spring Champion S. (2000 metres), but on his return to racing this year Hedge admitted he was guarded about the horse’s chances, despite beginning in Group 3 company.

“We went into the race fairly circumspect about it,” Hedge told TDN AusNZ. “He was first-up over 1400 metres and there were some horses in the race that had shown some ability - and a couple of them had runs under their belts so they probably had a fitness edge on him.

“Then, when he drew wide as well, we knew we’d probably have to go back and be ridden for luck. We were of the opinion that if he ran in the first four or five and run home strongly we’d be quite satisfied.

“He didn’t really have all the favours in running, he had to go back, then he was three deep and he was facing the breeze for a large part of the race.”

But those factors proved no barriers for the classy colt, and a well-timed run under Blake Shinn saw him win by a head in good style.

Rewarding some loyal clients

Running in Hedge’s maroon silks, Elliptical was secured by the bloodstock agent at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in conjunction with Blue Sky Bloodstock (FBAA) and Anthony Freedman Racing.

After he was knocked down for $380,000, Hedge set about syndicating 50 per cent in the colt, whilst his trainer took care of the other half. For Hedge’s part, he is now owned by a variety of clients who supported the bloodstock agent over the past few years, with many inspired by a previous success with the same stallion.

“Some of those people were in Victoria Quay, so we had success with that Dundeel filly and when we were looking at this colt it obviously resonated a little with them. Lightning has struck twice for them,” Hedge reflected.

Bought by Hedge alongside McEvoy Mitchell Racing at the 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for $250,000, Victoria Quay went on to win the G2 Wakeful S., with Hedge re-purchasing the mare for $600,000 when she was relinquished at last year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

With his elite-level placings, not to mention his latest success, Elliptical has well eclipsed the return Hedge was able to provide his clients with Victoria Quay, as the colt’s earnings now stand at over $1.1 million - but, for all that Hedge is grateful, it’s a game of fine margins at the top.

“There’s a good spread of people in him, and it’s been amazing to run second a couple of times and be over a million, but there’s a bit of difference between the first and second prizemoney in the Spring Champion and the Guineas - I think he’d have had over $3 million had he won both of those.

“It’s been a bit bittersweet, in that we’re very grateful to have a nice horse and he’s done extremely well, and he’s been well-placed and ridden, he’s just run into one better a couple of times and by small margins - it’s been character building.”

All that's required

Looking back on his spring campaign, Hedge attributes his poor luck in part to Elliptical’s demeanour, describing him as a “playful” colt, who only does as much as he needs to.

“He’s been a bit challenging in a couple of his races,” Hedge recalled. “In the Caulfield Guineas he was down on the inside and he got to the front and couldn’t see Golden Mile down the middle.”

Whilst Hedge admitted that Golden Mile (Astern) was the likely winner regardless, he said the running of the race was somewhat regrettable, since Elliptical loves to have a target to aim at.

“When he’s got something in front of him he really stretches his neck and competes, but once he gets to the front he just floats. It’s a bit of an art to get him there at the right time.

“In the Spring Champion he probably got to the front a bit too early, he just needed something to take him a little bit further into the race.”

Whilst such close defeats are never easy to take, it's clear, according to Hedge, that the form lines have stacked up well - though there’s a big hurdle facing Elliptical in the Australian Guineas next month, by way of a horse he’s yet to cross.

“If you really analyse Elliptical’s form it’s pretty much the 3-year-old form from the early spring to now it’s been the prominent formline, and there’s four or five of them that are really nice horses and they’re all coming from those same races.”

“I do think that Jacquinot is the benchmark at the moment though, he’s done it against older horses and been competitive at a really high level.

“He’s certainly the benchmark 3-year-old at the moment, and if he’s able to do that at a mile and run as strongly as he has over the shorter distances then he’s a bona fide champion. I guess we’ll hope it’s more of a test and that we can finish strong over him.”

A lesson learned

As it turns out, things haven’t been straightforward for Hedge since the beginning of his journey with Elliptical. When he first set eyes on him as a weanling, Hedge “just loved him.”

Thinking he’d sell for under $100,000, he was forced to sit tight when he made double that figure at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale in 2020.

“Jim Carey bought him, who’s a great judge, and I was gutted,” Hedge revealed. “I was disappointed to miss him because I really loved his movement and everything about him.

“When the chance came to buy him as a yearling, I thought: ‘I’m not going to miss this.’

“I’d made a mistake previously with Ellsberg; I loved him as a weanling, and Peter O’Brien bought him, only paying $50,000 for him. Then he ended up making $280,000 as a yearling and he’s just been a star.”

Hedge explained that the “elite weanlings” he sees tend to develop into the best racehorses - but that it’s a double-edged sword when it comes to the yearling market.

“It’s funny, because the weanling market now, being so exposed, the prices are out there.

“I go around with trainers and they say: ‘That one made $200,000, forget that’, and put a line through them straight away because they feel they’re going to be too expensive.

“If they’re a nice weanling and they’re a nice yearling, they’re probably going to make a very good racehorse. It actually enhances my interest in the horse if they were an expensive weanling.”

However, that doesn’t mean Hedge is about to start buying weanlings to race…

“It’s more that I liked this horse a lot as a foal, and then I liked it again as a yearling. So, the horse has just exuded quality all the way through.

“It does frustrate me a bit, trainer’s attitudes towards horses that have been through a sale. I feel like it shouldn’t even enter your mind, because when you look at a horse that hasn’t been through a sale you’re just valuing it at what’s in front of you, and you’re judging that against what’s in the sale.

“Whereas, if a horse sells for $200,000 as a weanling, people mark it in their book, they look at it, and it influences the way they go about the bidding process.

“We pinhookers hate those lists which are put out there - we loathe them. We understand why they’re there, because it’s useful content which there’s a demand for.”

Carey concurs

Having forked out $200,000 for Elliptical as a weanling on behalf of an in-farm partnership, Newgate Farm Stud Manager Jim Carey evidently held the horse in the same regard as Hedge from that early stage, and was a little disappointed not to see him make more when they returned to the yearling sale.

“He wasn’t cheap, but he was a beautiful weanling bred by great people Damian and Deb Gleeson,” Carey told TDN AusNZ. “I went to see him ahead of the COVID-affected Magic Millions sale when he stopped over at Amarina before he went up the coast.

“I remember looking at him, ringing Henry (Field) afterwards and saying: ‘I’ve seen a lovely looking colt and we need to buy him.’

“I’m delighted Suman bought him, he’s a great judge and he had a lot of interest. I thought he might make a fraction more, but fair dues to Suman, he put his neck on the line and bought a nice horse.”

Carey explained that he too is wary of trainers putting a line through expensive weanling purchases, but feels that some precedence in successful pinhooks sold by Newgate help negate that factor.

“I see it a bit as well,” he said. “We’re lucky, obviously Stay Inside was a Newgate pinhook as well… (And) we’re very much a selling farm - we brought 88 yearlings to the sales this year and we’ve sold 88.

“A handful of them were pinhooks and we didn’t win on all of them, but it’s the bigger picture. It’s giving the market confidence and getting people bidding on your horses.”

Cover image courtesy of Horsephotos

Olly and Amber Tait of Cootamundra’s Twin Hills Stud admitted to being “super proud”, after Lemon Pop notched his maiden Grade 1 success in Sunday’s February S. (1600 metres) at Tokyo.

The 5-year-old entire has a truly international backstory. Lemon Pop is out of Unreachable (USA) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) - a sister to the great sire Danehill (USA), as well as the Grade 2 winner Eagle Eyed (USA) and the Group 3 victor Shibboleth (USA), and is a half-sister to the stakes-placed First Word (USA) (Chester House {USA}) and the American stallion Redesdale (USA).

This is also the family of Dundonnell (USA) (First Defence {USA}) - a Group 3 winner in England, a Listed winner in Hong Kong and Group 3 placegetter in Dubai.

On behalf of the Taits, Blandford Bloodstock went to 165,000gns (AU$303,000) for Unreachable from the Juddmonte draft at the 2012 Tattersalls December Mares Sale and bred her to the Grade 1 winner and producer Lemon Drop Kid (USA), who stood at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky, until 2021 when he was pensioned.

Lemon Pop was raised for the Taits in Kentucky by Padraig Campion, before selling as a weanling for US$70,000 (AU$101,400) at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale. Godolphin Japan President, Harry Sweeney, purchased the chestnut in the name of Paca Paca Farm.

“It’s a big thrill to breed a Group 1 winner, it’s not an occurrence that happens every day,” Olly Tait told TDN AusNZ.

“He’s always been a very promising horse, he’s shown a lot since day one and his record suggests that, but he’s been interrupted by the looks of things and never really had a good clear run at a number of races in a row, so it was good that he was able to do that and win a good one.”

The Hiroyasu Tanaka-trained Lemon Pop is the 10th top-level winner for his sire and and his second elite-company scorer out of a Giant's Causeway (USA) dam.

Lemon Pop joins the likes of Cafe Pharoah (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}), Inti (Jpn) (Came Home {USA}) and Agnes Digital (USA) to win the race as a 5-year-old and it was A fourth consecutive American-bred winner of the ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Sweeney said: “Lemon Pop has been invited to Dubai, but we won’t be making a decision on this for some time yet. Thrilled that Lemon Pop has won a Group 1 race at his first attempt and won in good style. We are relieved that he now has a JRA Group 1 on his curriculum vitae which will be very important for his next career whenever he finishes racing.”

The victory was the second at Group level and first in the elite class for Lemon Pop.

Lemon Pop was handled by Ryusei Sakai, who spent some time riding in Australia a few years ago. Sakai picked up the ride after Keita Tosaki, who had ridden Lemon Pop to each of his seven previous wins, opted for Dry Stout (Jpn) (Sinister Minister {USA}), who placed fourth.

“(We) were shocked to read in the sports papers just two weeks ago that Keita Tosaki had decided to get off Lemon Pop to ride another horse,” Sweeney explained. “We then had to scramble to find a replacement and we are delighted with Sakai-san’s performance. It was a pressure ride for him too as he was riding Lemon Pop, the favourite, for the first time and in a Group 1 race.”

Sakai added: “I am grateful to be given the chance to ride such a strong and favored horse and am happy we won. He responded well and pulled away strongly all the way to the wire.”

Meanwhile, Mixology (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) proved too strong in the G3 Diamond S. (3400 metres) at Tokyo, La La Christine (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) took out the G3 Kyoto Himba S. (1400 metres) at Hanshin, while Hindu Times (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) won the G3 Daishoten (1800 metres).

Great Southern Sale graduate runs into Derby contention

Top Hong Kong-based trainer David Hall is eyeing the G1 Hong Kong Derby (2000 metres) with Sunday’s Class 3 TVB Midlife, Sing and Shine H. (1600 metres) winner Atullibigeal (Street Boss {USA}).

Bred by Rob Harding, Atullibigeal was offered as a weanling by Swettenham Stud at the 2019 Inglis Great Southern Sale. He made $40,000, with Ben Kwok and Bevan Smith Bloodstock buying. He then failed to reach his NZ$80,000 reserve at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1).

He subsequently entered the care of Te Awamutu-based trainer Carl Henderson for whom he won two of his five starts, including the Listed Futurity S. (1400 metres) at Ellerslie in his last New Zealand outing, and placed in the Listed Champagne S. (1600 metres).

Atullibigeal is from the unraced mare Kellys Ocean Jewel (GB) (Dansili {GB}) - a half-sister to the stakes winners Bellamy Cay (GB) (Kris {GB}) and Cinnamon Bay (GB) (Zamindar {USA}). The latter has produced the Group 1 winner New Bay (GB).

“Definitely, the Derby will be the aim. I think he’ll run the distance and he’s got enough points there – he’s a worthy runner,” Hall said.

“I think (Sunday’s) win will just about guarantee he gets a run (in the Derby). He won’t run in the (Hong Kong) Classic Cup and what path we take to get there – I am not sure of yet.

“He’s shown a lot at home – he’s loaded with raw ability and today (Sunday) it was a tricky draw and there was a fair bit of pressure early on which we didn’t quite expect.”

Karaka graduate lands another Class 1

Tavistock (NZ) gelding Beluga (NZ), another runner trained by Hall, produced his second Class 1 success in the space of four starts when taking out Sunday’s TVB Yan Oi Tong Charity Show H. (1400 metres) under Matthew Poon.

The 6-year-old was consigned by Curraghmore at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1), where Riversley Park and partners went to NZ$150,000.

Beluga is from the stakes performer Prestigious Miss (Written Tycoon) - a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Cassini (NZ) (Reset).

His second dam, Mathematical (NZ) (Honor Grades {USA}), is a half-sister to the stakes winners Centrofold (NZ) (Centro {NZ}) and Smart Kid (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), while his third dam is the Group 1 victress True Devotion (Beau Sovereign {NZ}).

“He’s a very genuine racehorse, he’s been a good servant for the stable and it’s good to get the Class 1 win today,” said Hall.

“You’d like a stable full of them. He’s just kept delivering every preparation and I’d like to find a few more.”

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

The first two trials at Randwick on Monday morning took place on the Kensington track, and saw a smattering of elite performers stretching their legs.

Heat 1 (1250 metres) was led home by Gin Martini (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), who improved well from the rear of the field. Now a 4-year-old, she was Group 1-placed in the ATC Oaks in her Classic year, and finished 0.2l ahead of a Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trio.

Those were headed by Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), European import who landed ahead of last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup, where the 5-year-old gelding managed 14th. Another with a similar profile, who finished two places in front of him last November, is Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}), and he finished 2.9l further away under a drive by James McDonald.

In her first public appearance in Australia, Yulong’s G1 Irish Oaks winner Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was given a notably quiet time by Kathy O’Hara towards the rear, and finished last of five. Formerly trained by Jessica Harrington in Ireland, she was moved to Chris Waller’s stable via an unsuccessful trip to Japan late last year.

Gin Martini stopped the clock in 1:15.95, the final 600 metres in 34.68s on Kensington’s Good 4.

Bjorn Baker’s G2 Sheraco S. winner Shades Of Rose (Rubick) poked through a gap and quickened well to lead home fellow Group 2 scorer Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) in Heat 2 (850 metres), coming home in 50.55s and clocking 33.01s for the last 600 metres.

With 0.24l separating those two, it was just 0.07l back to G1 Golden Rose winner In The Congo (Snitzel), who was under pressure from Tim Clark.

Baker was delighted with his filly's trial, indicating that she will trial again before taking on the G1 The Galaxy at Rosehill on March 18.

Heat 6: Harron steals it

Butch Cassidy (Written Tycoon) made a strong impression in his second trial, finishing an easy 0.75l ahead of Miss Harlow (Shalaa {Ire}). The heat appears to have some good form too, as in third was Deciduous (The Autumn Sun), who was second in his Warwick Farm debut back on December 7. The first three are all trained by the Waterhouse/Bott combination.

Ridden by Brett Prebble, Butch Cassidy was given a squeeze at the 300-metre mark, improved impressively and was then allowed to coast home clear of his rivals. He finished the 1045-metre trial in 1:02.84, covering the final 600 metres in 34.74.

Butch Cassidy was sourced from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was knocked down to James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership for $750,000. He is first foal from the winning mare Rose Ahead (Dream Ahead {USA}), a half-sister to Daytona Grey (Artie Schiller {USA}), a Group 3 winner, and Mail It In (Reset), a Listed winner.

Heat 7: Waterhouse/Bott pair well on top

Just four horses contested the second juvenile trial over 1045 metres on Monday, which was dominated by two Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott 2-year-olds. Taking the lead from the outset, Go Bloodstock, TFI and Kia Ora Stud’s colt Soldier Of Rome (Snitzel) was joined in the homestraight by stablemate Saikono, a Maurice (Jpn) filly, but battled back to prevail by 0.43l.

The pair pulled 6.82l of their nearest pursuer, the John O’Shea-trained colt Centarus (Star Turn), and Soldier Of Rome finished in 1:03.04 with the last 600 metres covered in 34.83s, both marginally slower than the previous heat.

Bred by Corumbene Stud, Soldier Of Rome was an $850,000 purchase at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by his trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds. He is out of G2 Light Fingers S. winner Bennetta (General Nediym) and is a brother to multiple-Group 3-placed Bottega.

Heat 12: A Russian quinella

The first of four 2-year-old heats over 742 metres, Heat 12 was restricted to fillies and was won by Peter and Paul Snowden’s first-timer Hampton Queen (Russian Revolution).

It was a one-two for Newgate Farm’s Russian Revolution as she finished 0.51l the better of La Demoiselle, who showed some immaturity despite having had a race start in the G3 Ottawa S. last November. Back in third, 2.4l away was Les Bridge’s Angel Of Spring (Harry Angel {Ire}).

Hampton Queen finished the trial in 44.67s, recording 33.68s for the last 600 metres. She is owned by China Horse Club and was picked up at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $360,000.

The ninth named foal out of Rhema (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), she is a half-sister to Always Allison (More Than Ready {USA}), a winner of the G2 Sweet Embrace S. Rhema herself is well-related, being a half-sister to a trio of Group winners, including G1 Victoria Derby winner Benicio (More Than Ready {USA}) and G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic winner Romneya (Red Ransom {USA})

Heat 13: Tilussion posts smart debut

Russian Revolution scored again shortly afterwards in Heat 13, another for the fillies, when Tilussion came home best in a field of six.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, she gave a bold showing from the front in her first trial, and quickened well when given a nudge by Tim Clark to finish 1.36l ahead of Last Straw (Brazen Beau), whilst Hellbent On You (Hellbent) was 0.21l further back in third.

Bred by SF Bloodstock, Tilussion was secured by her trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where she cost $300,000.

She is the first foal from Stallion Heiress (Can) (Exchange Rate {USA}), a stakes winner in the United States who’s a half-sister to a Canadian stakes winner. With stakes winners from across the Americas littering her page, Tilussion is also related via her third dam to Canada’s 2018 Champion Older Male and Turf Male, Mr Havercamp (Can) (Court Vision {USA}).

Tilussion completed the trial in 44.43s, clocking 33.86s for the final 600 metres.

Heat 14: Written Tycoon grabs another

A second trial winner for Written Tycoon - and a fourth for the Tulloch Lodge team - came via Critique in Heat 14. In a trial restricted to colts and geldings, he was set about his work by Tim Clark in the home straight, and finished 0.42l ahead of his stablemate Risshuu (The Autumn Sun), who was making steady ground in the final 200 metres.

With Peter and Paul Snowden’s Mad Deel (Dundeel {NZ}) 0.47l away in third, Critique finished the trial in 44.13s, clocking 33.83s for the last 600 metres.

Out of the Snitzel mare Slumber Party, who was placed in the G3 McLachlan S., Critique is a half-brother to two winners and is from the family of Not A Single Doubt, who is a half-brother to his third dam.

Running in the familiar Newgate red and yellow colours, he was a $775,000 purchase at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was knocked down to China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing.

Critique was last seen at the Official 2YO Trials at the same track back in September, when he finished fourth behind impressive maiden winner and subsequent Pierro Plate fourth, Don Corleone (Extreme Choice).

Heat 15: Mostro up and away

The fastest of the 2-year-old heats over 742 metres on Monday was clocked by the fifth and final juvenile trial winner for the Waterhouse/Bott team. Maurice colt Mostro clocked a time of 43.94s, with 33.33s for the final 600 metres.

Having taken up the lead under Regan Bayliss, the pair skipped away in the straight whilst G3 Breeders' Plate winner Empire Of Japan (Snitzel) improved from the rear of the field under a motionless Jason Collett to finish 2.88l away, just ahead of The Pacific (Exceed And Excel).

Mostro carried a good line of form into the trial as his first and only other public workout yielded a second to Vomo Island (Dundeel {NZ}) back in September, with the latter an unlucky runner-up on debut at Canterbury last week.

A half-brother to three winners, Mostro is out of Allaboutus (Arena), a five-time winner who was Group 3 placed. He was sourced from the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was purchased by his trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $160,000.

Cranbourne clean sweep for Price/Kent

There were four juvenile trials at Cranbourne on Monday, all of which were won by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

Heat 2 (650 metres) was won by the Deep Field filly Spicy Margs, in her first trial since disappointing in last November’s G3 Ottawa S. She finished 0.8l ahead of Lloyd Kennewell’s You Oughta Know (Lonhro).

A $340,000 purchase for her trainers at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Spicy Margs is out of the Helmet mare Crossing The Abbey, a juvenile winner who was also placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (fillies).

It was a runaway victory in Heat 3 (800 metres) as Capitalist colt Hedged skipped clear of his rivals rounding the home turn and finished some 5l clear of Greg Eurell’s Dragoon (Grunt {NZ}).

Bred and sold by Yulong, Hedged is out of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Acing Shamrock and was a $140,000 purchase for his trainers in conjunction with Roll The Dice Racing at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Acing Shamrock is half-sister to South African Group 2 scorer Nafaayes (Exceed And Excel).

Not A Single Doubt colt Doubting Eye was taken all the way to the line by I'm Mim (Dandino {GB}), but prevailed by a head in Heat 4 (800 metres), in a time of 47.06.

Doubting Eye is out of Kanga's Eye (Denman), a winner who was also runner-up in the Listed Gimcrack S. Bred and now raced by Phoenix Thoroughbred (11), he was withdrawn from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Illative (I Am Invincible), a half-sister to the lightly raced dual-Listed winner Illation (So You Think {NZ}), was Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s final juvenile trial winner on Monday, and earned herself high praise.

She finished her 800-metre trial in 47.32s, and ran out an easy, 5l margin over her rivals. She is pencilled in for a debut run in Flemington’s The Australian Childhood Foundation Plate on March 4.

“She trialled very well,” co-trainer Price told Racing.com. “She’ll appear in two weeks in a 1000-metre Listed race and she will run very well. We think she’s a talent.

“I think she’s a black-type filly coming. She’s a lovely filly.”