Another New Zealand-bred Group 1 winner?

On Thursday afternoon, unfortunate news broke that last year’s G1 Golden Slipper heroine Fireburn (Rebel Dane) was out of the G1 Queensland Oaks after stewards deemed she was showing signs of lameness.

The Gary Portelli-trained filly was a dominant favourite for the $1 million Classic, following her impressive victory in the G2 The Roses at Doomben on May 20. Her withdrawal means four Kiwi-bred fillies head the market, which poses the question, ‘Will the New Zealand domination continue?’.

Last week, Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) added his name to a long list of gallopers with the NZ suffix to win at the highest level this season when he destroyed his rivals in the Queensland Derby. Kovalica joined horses including Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel), Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) and Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}).

After Fireburn’s scratching, Renaissance Woman (NZ) is the new market leader. The Bjorn Baker-trained daughter of Reliable Man (GB) heads into the Oaks in great form, having won the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet at the Sunshine Coast two starts back, before finishing a close second in The Roses.

Twelve months ago, Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) ran second in the Gold Coast Bracelet, before winning the Oaks, and in 2019, Winning Ways (Declaration Of War {USA}) landed the Bracelet en route to Oaks glory.

Renaissance Woman has the services of Josh Parr and should get a lovely run in transit from barrier six.

Her main dangers look to be Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern), Sakura Girl (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and So Dazzling (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}).

Affaire A Suivre is a last-start winner of the G1 Australasian Oaks, Sakura Girl placed third in The Roses and owns a Group 3 success over 2100 metres, while So Dazzling was runner-up in the G1 ATC Oaks two starts back.

Waller with three-pronged attack in Listed The Phoenix

The Queensland Oaks rightly deserves top billing on Saturday, but before we get to the main event, there’s a number of other black-type races on the card that will provide plenty of intrigue.

The day gets underway in Brisbane with the Listed The Phoenix for 2-year-olds and Chris Waller has a trio of runners - and two of them are well-liked by the punters.

Waller’s top seed may be Influential (The Autumn Sun), who is a maiden after two starts, but should relish the step up to 1500 metres. The colt, who was bred by Torryburn Stud, is from the winning Street Cry (Ire) mare Progressive and is related to Manhattan Rain and Redoute’s Choice, among others.

He has the services of James McDonald and will jump from gate two.

Influential was knocked down to Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock for $400,000 at last year’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

Waller also has Mojave Desert (I Am Invincible) and Cap Ferrat (Snitzel) engaged

The favourite for The Phoenix is Azula (Maurice {Jpn}) and she will be looking to continue the tremendous juvenile run for her trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Azula, who knocked off her maiden in fine style at Randwick-Kensington at her most recent outing, will have to overcome a wide draw (12), and her fate may be determined early, as you would expect Tim Clark to try and cross the field and attempt to lead all the way.

The filly cost $100,000 from the draft Twin Hills Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is out of the 1600-metre winner Shutout (Redoute’s Choice) - a three-quarter sister to the stakes performer Joy’s Choice (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and a half-sister to the Group 2 victress Za Moulin Rouge (Street Cry {Ire}).

King’s Legacy’s half-brother to debut at Flemington

The opening event in Melbourne is sure to attract plenty of interest, with the field boasting an unbeaten Kiwi visitor, some locals that have already tasted success, as well as a beautifully bred colt who is a half-brother to a multiple Group 1 winner-turned sire.

The latter is Perovic (Pierro) and his older half-brother is King’s Legacy (a son of Redoute’s Choice), who now stands at Coolmore Stud after a 12-start career that included triumphs in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. and G1 Champagne S.

Offered by his breeder - Segenhoe Stud - at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, the colt was bought by Rosemont-Victorian Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and David Redvers Bloodstock for $675,000. He is from the Hussonet (USA) mare Breakfast In Bed.

Perovic, who is also related to the stakes winners Oohood (I Am Invincible) and Not A Single Doubt, is trained by Danny O’Brien and will be handled by Linda Meech. He has had one official trial, placing sixth in a field of eight at Werribee on May 16.

The one they all have to beat is the Stephen Marsh-trained Codigo (NZ) - a son of Waikato Stud resident Ardrossan, who has made a great start to his career in the breeding barn.

Codigo, who will be ridden by Blake Shinn, has won his two starts, both in New Zealand, with the last being in Listed company at Trentham.

The gelding was bred by Dame Lowell Goddard and she races him in partnership with Waikato Stud. Codigo is the first foal out of winning mare Sophia Magia (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and she hails from the same family as stakes winner Dear Pal (NZ) (My Pal {Ire}) - her third dam’s half-sister.

Estijaab’s brother out to stay unbeaten

The 2-year-old race at Rosehill also features some well-related juveniles, none more so than Congregation (Snitzel) - a younger brother to the G1 Golden Slipper heroine Estijaab.

The Chris Waller-trained colt, who is out of the two-time elite-level victress Response (Charge Forward), made $2,250,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Consigned by Arrowfield Stud, who bred the colt, he was purchased by Tom Magnier.

Congregation finished strongly to score on debut at Canterbury on May 24 under Kerrin McEvoy and he remains in the saddle.

Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun) is a stablemate of Congregation and she is sure to have her share of admirers after an impressive debut second behind Zoukerette (I Am Invincible) on the same day.

The filly was bred by Arrowfield Pastoral and Planette Thoroughbred and realised $300,000 at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Offered by Arrowfield Stud, she was bought by Kevin Kelly.

Rusty Dreams looks to add valuable black type

Quality filly Rusty Dreams (Universal Ruler) has hardly put a hoof wrong during her short career and she gets a chance to not only become a five-time scorer, but also a stakes winner when she contests the Listed Raconteur S. at Belmont as Race 10.

Trained by Michael Lane, she boasts four wins from five starts, with her only defeat coming at the hands of Catch These Hands (Rommel) and Mack Mack (All American). Neither of that duo will line up in this 1400-metre race.

Out of the unraced Oratorio mare She Done Him Wrong, Rusty Dreams is closely related to the stakes performer Rusty Peaches (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).

She will be partnered by Chris Parnham and jump from stall four.

Her main rivals look to be Rear Admiral (Astern), who also has four wins from five outings, and the in-form gelding Vast Art (Flying Artie) - a winner of his past two starts.

Castletown Stakes wide open after Carbonados scratching

Carbonados (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}), the hot pre-race favourite for Saturday’s Listed Castletown S. at Wanganui, was withdrawn on Thursday, following confirmation he has been sold to the Ben and JD Hayes stable.

In Carbonados’ absence, Discovery Bay (No Nay Never {USA}) and Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) head the market, but it looks an even and competitive race.

Bruce Harvey’s Discovery Bay won well on debut, but has to go up a gear to be winning here.

The Chrissy Bambry-trained Chantilly Lace has had a consistent juvenile season, but finds it hard to win, boasting just one victory from seven starts. She was, however, third in Listed grade at her most recent run.

Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally

An auspicious winner on debut at Kembla Grange in July last year, eight starts later Think About It is a Group 1 hero and has secured a spot in the $15 million The Everest courtesy of the newly acquired Newgate slot.

The Newgate slot has changed hands from GPI Racing in a permanent arrangement.

Think About It, a son of the Champion galloper So You Think (NZ), was bred by Lighting Thoroughbreds; he was a $70,000 yearling purchase by Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride Racing from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

The now gelded 4-year-old entered training at Joe Pride’s Warwick Farm stables and was put through his paces in two trials at Warwick Farm and Hawkesbury in July 2022 before being sent to Kembla Grange late in July for a smart debut victory by 2l.

Think About moved to Class 1 company at Wyong and posted another victory before his winning run ended in BM72 company at his home track of Warwick Farm, but it wouldn’t take the gelding long to bounce back.

Returning to the races in January at Warwick Farm in BM72 company, Think About It made amends and again at Rosehill and Randwick in BM78 and BM88 company, Pride seemingly knew he had a high-quality galloper on his hands but was eager to place the gelding through his grades until his last three starts.

Lining up for the G3 Liverpool City Cup at Randwick was the most challenging test to date for Think About It. Still, he handled the class rise with aplomb on a day that included Anamoe winning the G1 Chipping Norton S. The victory of Think About It would not go unnoticed.

Pride elected to freshen Think About It after the Liverpool City Club returned the gelding to races in the Listed Takeover Target S. at Gosford. As we’ve become accustomed, Think About It finished the victor.

Group 1 glory

A Listed and Group 3 victory in less than 10 starts is no mean feat, it takes an above-average horse to do so; however, a Group 1 triumph?

Pride was keen on his charge and, showing the ultimate faith, ran his eight-start veteran at start nine in the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup, taking on seasoned campaigners like Rothfire (Rothesay) and stablemate Eduardo (Host {Chi}). It wasn’t expected to be as easy as it visually appeared, but proving himself of a rare class, Think About It cemented himself a Group 1 winner at start nine.

With the G1 Stradbroke H. on the radar on June 10 at Eagle Farm, bigger riches lay ahead when Newgate announced that their newly acquired slot for the $15 million race, reported by The Herald Sun, to rise to $20 million, The Everest on October 14, would be filled by Pride’s progressive galloper.

“After much discussion with my Newgate co-owners Gavin Murphy and Matthew Sandblom, we are absolutely thrilled to have secured Think About It in our slot for the world’s greatest sprint race. He was a horse bred by the Kolivos family and born and raised on the hills of Newgate Farm, so he is a very meaningful horse for us to have secured,” said Newgate’s Managing Director Henry Field.

“I’ve had a long relationship with Jamie Walter, who I have the utmost respect for, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have the Newgate and Proven Thoroughbreds brands aligned.”

Newgate has secured GPI’s Everest slot. “Barb and I are so pleased that Newgate has taken over our Everest slot, and we will stay partners with them going forward. We were so thrilled to be a part of this incredible concept from its inception. We look forward to being a part of The Everest going forward with Henry and the Newgate family,” said Greg Ingham.

Jamie Walter of Proven Thoroughbreds, who picked up Think About It, is hoping the son of So You Think (NZ) can better the outstanding effort of Private Eye (Al Maher) in 2023.

“We’re thrilled to be competing on the big Everest stage again and with such an exciting prospect after Private Eye went so close last year. For a $70,000 yearling, Think About It is giving us all a tremendous ride and good karma being involved with Newgate’s Henry Field and Greg and Barb Ingham, both of whom we’ve known for many years. Newgate is a contemporary powerhouse in the racing industry, and Think About It won’t be the last good horse we buy from their farm,” Proven Thoroughbreds’ Jamie Walter said.

With the likes of the defending Champion Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) unsurprisingly already having been secured to run in The Everest, and despite it only being June, the race is already shaping up to be once again one of the most anticipated of the year.

Think About It is the best runner from the Flying Spur mare Tiare. She is a half-sister to the G2 Gilgai S. winner Keen Array (Bel Esprit) and hails from the family of Sky Field (Deep Field), who won the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint.

This week's episode

Week of May 29, 2023

Caroline Searcy reviews the 2023 Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards from the Gold Coast Turf Club supported by Godolphin, Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Breeders' NSW. A special emphasis on Thoroughbred Care and Welfare winner Louise Abey.

The Adelaide Equestrian Festival featured a number of thoroughbred and part-thoroughbred three-day eventers ridden by elite riders such as Shenae Lowings, Sam Woods and Olympian Shane Rose.

And former Anthony Cummings stable staff member Barry Smith recalls a star Gooree Park colt who is now sire of a horse he's been rehabbing at Celbridge Farm, Frosty Rocks (Your Song), in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Stories.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 2 2023 (Season 4)

Earlier episodes

Week of May 22, 2023

Caroline Searcy's Thoroughbreds Are Go (TAG) returns - promoting thoroughbreds to the equestrian world and assisting racing owners and trainers find them their best homes away from the racing and breeding industry.

TAG reviews the 'world's best' conference for the International Federation For The Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) hearing from leading global and Australian experts in rehoming in Melbourne.

Sydney 2000 three-day eventing Olympian Amanda Ross with a new thoroughbred by Frankel (GB) and great advice to help transition thoroughbreds off the track.

And Annamarie Mulligan from the John Thompson Racing Stables at Randwick with a great story about Jumbo Goal in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Stories.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 1 2023 (Season 4)

Week of November 28, 2022

This week Caroline Searcy's Thoroughbreds Are Go features an interview with Arthur and Charlotte Inglis about the Inglis sponsorship of the Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association and how Australia's historic thoroughbred sales company assists horses outside the racing and breeding industry.

Racing Victoria's Melissa Ware discusses some of the new work done by the Off The Track program in the state and how it's benefitting racing owners who want to rehome their thoroughbreds and assisting the equestrian owners who take them on.

And Holly Pendold with two ex-racehorses she cared for in the Toby Edmonds stable as they compete at the TSHA National Championships, in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Stories.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 10 2022 (Season 3)

Week of November 21, 2022

This week Caroline Searcy's Thoroughbreds Are Go features the inaugural Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association National Championships in NSW with some great equestrian competitors in a sensational thoroughbreds-only competition!

Racing South Australia and Clare Lindop link up with Lincoln Park, a centre for the rehabilitation of horses and humans, using thoroughbreds to train new stable staff.

And a beautiful story of thoroughbred love stretching beyond the racing stable with Kate Blay and Siege Warfare forging a new dressage career in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Stories.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 9 2022 (Season 3)

Week of November 14, 2022

This week Caroline Searcy's Thoroughbreds Are Go features Steve and Eliza Grant's Silverdale Farm, the early home of this year's Golden Slipper winner Fireburn (Rebel Dane), is proactive in caring for thoroughbreds it's sold and we see two examples of thoroughbreds who have been brought home to the farm post-racing. Plus hear more about the Silverdale Academy internships and training staff for the thoroughbred industry.

Tim Boland is one of Australia's elite three-day eventers with a passion for thoroughbreds. His Limitless Lodge is an early education and pre-training facility that plays home to some of Australia's best-loved racehorses. It's also home to a number of retired thoroughbreds being schooled for equestrian careers and Tim has strong thoughts on the responsibilities of owners to their retiring racehorses.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 8 2022 (Season 3)

Week of November 7, 2022

This week Caroline Searcy's Thoroughbreds Are Go features some Darley Stud blue-blood mares who have shaped generations of Group 1 winners around the world. Learn what are the things you should know if you are looking after a retired broodmare from Darley Woodlands stud manager John Sunderland.

Bruce Neill's Cressfield is one of Australia's most successful breeding operations and he has a plan for all the horses he races. If they aren't breeding the next generation with the CF brand on them he finds them good homes in the equestrian world through his Tasmanian base. It's something he believes the racing industry must also do voluntarily.

And, in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Stories, Nicki Hunt from Matt Smith's racing stables at Warwick Farm talks about her love for Fierce Impact (Jpn) and how she follows him and his new foals well after he retired from racing.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 7 2022 (Season 3)

Week of October 31, 2022

Caroline Searcy returns with Australia's thoroughbred re-homing show Thoroughbreds Are Go, assisting the safe and happy transition of horses from the racing and breeding industry.

This week being Melbourne Cup week, hear how you can help promote the good in the racing world as Kick Collective's Vicky Leonard explains 'Kick Up' - a way to provide real facts in the face of anti-racing criticism.

Australian 5-star eventer Lauren Browne with an elite thoroughbred Sky's Da Limit and her new young horse Rafiki as she explains what you need to know about re-training thoroughbreds for a competitive life.

And Randwick trainer John Sargent's foreman Campbell Ashby with a European champion in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Stories, as he celebrates the VRC Carbine Club S. win of promising colt Perfect Thought (So You Think {NZ}).

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 6 2022 (Season 3)

Week of June 13, 2022

Caroline Searcy returns to the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Richmond centre in New South Wales to see the thoroughbreds who change the lives of people with disabilities, young and older!

Champion jockey Clare Lindop relies on thoroughbreds to train new track riders as part of a great Racing SA education program attracting new staff to the racing industry. And, in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Stories, a Golden Slipper-winning Champion Australian stallion features for his former stablehand Julie Scanlon.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 5 2022 (Season 3)

Week of May 30, 2022

In this week's Thoroughbreds Are Go, we take a look at the Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards that celebrate the racing and breeding industry's unsung heroes, with a particular focus on the winner and runner-up in the Thoroughbred Care and Welfare category - Fiona McIntyre and Grace Chantler.

The Victoria Racing Club takes the 2022 Melbourne Cup and a great sponsorship to the Sydney International three-day event with more and more thoroughbreds competing.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show with a whole day of thoroughbred classes and a trainer and strapper with another story about a favourite racehorse in a new life, in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Story.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 4 2022 (Season 3)

Week of May 23, 2022

In this week's Thoroughbreds Are Go find out how to go from showjumping into a job in a racing stable, learning more about the care of thoroughbreds. Hear from Sydney's Champion trainer Chris Waller and young thoroughbred riders Jasmine Haynes and Chloe Manell about the great opportunities within the racing industry.

Equine nutrition expert Dr Caroline Foote with some great tips on feeding thoroughbreds to keep them in the best condition. And French track-rider Pauline Leflaec, now the proud owner of multiple Group winner Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Story.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 3 2022 (Season 3)

Week of May 16, 2022

In this week's episode of Thoroughbreds Are Go, Caroline Searcy speaks with NSW trainer Kim Waugh about the pros and cons of rehoming thoroughbreds and ensuring they are in a good home. Rebecca Brown's Hillview Thoroughbreds turns ex-Hong Kong racehorses into elite Sydney Royal Show horses.

Inglis Millenium winner, Prime Star (Starspangledbanner), features in this week's Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Story.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 2 2022 (Season 3)

Week of May 9, 2022

Thoroughbreds Are Go returns for 2022 with an update on two-time Racing Victoria top accredited thoroughbred re-trainer Fiona McIntyre. She travels to the prestigious Royal Sydney Easter Show with not only the popular four-time Melbourne Cup runner and earner of over $1.9 million, Precedence (NZ) but also Caravan Rolls On (GB) and Able Fun (Snitzel).

And in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Story we hear about a son of Nicconi who's found a great home with his strapper from his racing days.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 1 2022 (Season 3)