Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Ozzmosis' brother scores on debut for same connections

In the same colours his full brother Ozzmosis carried to victory in the 2023 G1 Coolmore Stakes, the Bjorn Baker-trained 3-year-old gelding Olufsen (Zoustar) made an impressive debut at Wyong.

He claimed victory in a small but competitive five-horse field, settling near the rear, jockey Jason Collett steered him wide on the turn, where he knuckled down strongly to reel in the favourite, Now Is The Hour (I Am Invincible).

Baker’s Racing Manager, Luke Hilton, was thrilled with the performance. “The effort was very good. We thought he would improve off the run today. His trials have been solid, but he’s just taken a bit of time,” Hilton noted.

“He’s only going to get better, he’s just been a touch weak and immature.”

Hilton was particularly encouraged by the way Olufsen attacked the line. “Jason Collett came off really happy and said the horse was very determined in the finish."

Naturally, comparisons with his Group 1-winning brother Ozzmosis are inevitable - whose winning debut was in a similarly small field at Gosford - but Hilton quickly highlighted their differences.

“He’s nowhere near as big and strong. We gelded him earlier because he’s always been a bit behind and has a different attitude to his brother.”

He further explained the reasoning behind the gelding. “He needed it to make it as a racehorse. There’s so much prizemoney around, and doing it has given him the best chance.”

Although Olufsen may not have the same early brilliance as his brother who won his debut in his 2-year-old year, Hilton believes he could develop into a strong performer over longer distances. “He’s a pretty casual customer now, and we think he’ll stretch out a little.

“He might turn into a handy seven or eight-furlong horse in time. There’s a lot more to come, and we’ll play it by ear in terms of plans. The connections have been very patient, and the horse will repay them.”

Darby Racing’s Director and part-owner, Scott Darby, was ecstatic with the result.

“Very happy with that! We didn’t know what to expect because he’s so different from his brother. We weren’t quite sure if he’d need a run or two,” he admitted. “He’s always been a work in progress, backward and a bit quirky.

“I loved how he fought under pressure. Until they’re put under pressure, you really never know. Jason Collett did a wonderful job balancing him up nicely.”

Darby Racing became involved with Olufsen after he was initially passed in at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. “We got into him after Ozzmosis won the Coolmore. We purchased half of him off China Horse Club,” Darby revealed.

“I don’t know what happened at the sales, but we had our people look at him, vetted him, and we were happy with what we saw. A lot of Ozzmosis’ owners got involved.”

Reflecting on Olufsen’s progression, Darby noted, “We’ve had to be patient. He was a bit backward, and so was Ozzmosis, and that’s why we got him for $250,000, but Ozzmosis was just naturally talented. This guy is now starting to put it together.”

Looking ahead, he believes Olufsen will improve further with time. “I think there’s a lot more to come. He looks like he’ll get 1400 metres, maybe even a mile.

"You love to see what he did today on debut. Bjorn’s done a fantastic job; if we look after him, we’ll have a really nice horse.”

Olufsen is the third winner from three foals to race out of the talented New Zealand mare No More Tears (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who claimed the G3 Mr Tiz Trophy and multiple Listed wins.

His extended pedigree includes outstanding names like Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky {NZ}), Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}), Acrobat, Splintex, and Lake Geneva (Fastnet Rock).

No More Tears has a yearling full brother to Olufsen and Ozzmosis - who covered his first book of 192 mares at Newgate last spring at a fee of $44,000 - set to be offered by The Chase as Lot 86 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She returned to Zoustar last spring after missing the previous year.

Imperial Force goes back-to-back for new ownership

Darby Racing’s day at Wyong only improved when Imperial Force (Snitzel) surged late to deny Iconic Treasure (Nicconi) in Race 6.

Another Bjorn Baker-trained runner, this promising colt was initially a $1.6 million yearling before being secured by Darby Bloodstock for $285,000 on the 2024 Inglis September (Late) Online Sale. Since then, he has gone back-to-back, picking up $56,800 in prizemoney (plus $22,500 in bonuses) while delivering his owners two thrilling wins.

Darby was delighted with the acquisition. “Imperial Force is a quality colt purchased from Coolmore on Inglis Digital for $285,000. Chris Waller previously trained him and showed good ability there, winning a Canterbury maiden by a space.

“When we got him, he looked like he needed a break. We tried to get him going off the back of that spell, but he was very light. In his wisdom, Bjorn gave him the time off, and he’s come back so much better.”

Darby sees enormous potential in the colt. “We have a big opinion of him. We wanted to see that today, and although it was a narrow win, sitting three and four wide, the trip, was a huge effort.

“His first-up win was great, and he looks sensational. All roads will lead to the Arrowfield Stakes in three weeks, maybe with a trial in between. We’re very happy with him; he’s a horse that goes places.”

Imperial Force is the 11th live and final foal from Ultimate Fever (Gold Fever {USA}), a Listed-winning mare who has produced five individual winners to date. Among her best progeny are Sprightly Lass (Snitzel), a G3 DC McKay Stakes and Listed Bel Esprit Stakes winner, and Le Cordon Bleu (Snitzel), who claimed the Listed Canterbury Classic.

McDonald gets everything out of Congressman

The form looked strong, proving true as Congressman, a highly promising juvenile son of Snitzel, put his nose out when it mattered most. Under a tenacious, never-say-die ride from champion jockey James McDonald, he surged to victory in the iconic navy silks of Coolmore Stud.

Congressman had solid form leading into this 1350-metre maiden event. The horse that narrowly defeated him last time at Warwick Farm on 19 February was King Of Pop (Farnan), who subsequently won the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes at his next start and is set to contest the Group 1 Golden Slipper this weekend.

Adding further merit to the form, the runner-up that day, Savvy Hallie (Hellbent), ran an eye-catching fifth in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes behind Tempted (Street Boss {USA}), storming home from the back of the field and shaping as a filly of real promise.

Jumping well, Congressman settled in third on the rail, enjoying a comfortable run in transit; however, when McDonald was forced to get to work at the 600-metre mark, alarm bells started to ring.

The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained colt Onmalone (Menari) surged to the front and looked home before Congressman dug deep, grinding him down in the shadows of the post to score by 0.1l. His Chris Waller-trained stablemates Ichiban Koji (Blue Point {Ire}) and Garrix (Frankel {GB}) both found the line strongly to claim third and fourth, respectively.

A November foal, Congressman is still developing and should only improve with time. He holds a nomination for the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick on 5 April, where he could take another step up in class.

“He took time to wind up and then really hit the line, but I think he did the job well,” said Chris Waller’s Assistant Trainer and Racing Manager Charlie Duckworth.

“I don’t think this is necessarily the track that would suit him. I think he’d prefer a longer straight and more of a build-up than what you’re afforded here, but still, good to get the job done.

“He didn’t really look entirely comfortable coming around that corner, but he just kept working through his gears, and James got the timing spot on.

“Look, he’ll be a beautiful miler as a 3-year-old, and where we go from here is up to Chris and the team, but it’s nice to get the job done, obviously, only on the second time of asking.”

Congressman is the ninth live foal from Top Cuban (Anabaa {USA}), a juvenile winner on the track who has since established herself as a high-quality broodmare.

She has now produced seven individual winners, including two at Group level; Havana (Starcraft {NZ}), a three-time winner who claimed the Group 3 BTC Classic, and Diplomatico (Snitzel), who was successful in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes.

Havana has been a fantastic broodmare for owners Paul Favretto and Paul Rowe. She has had six yearlings go through the Arrowfield Stud draft over the years, and they have sold for a total of $5.425 million at an incredible average of $904,167.

She has left three million dollar yearlings; Diplomatico, Green Flash (Redoute’s Choice) and Eltizaam (Redoute’s Choice).

Since foaling Congressman, Top Cuban has produced a colt by Hitotsu last spring and was subsequently covered by Maurice (Jpn).

Congressman was a $575,000 purchase at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, secured by J McCalmont from the Arrowfield Stud draft.

Much has been written about Rosehill and its importance to Sydney racing in the past year, and one of those things is the way that it takes a very good horse to win there. Why does this track produce so many champions, and what do we stand to lose if it is sold?

“The TAB Golden Slipper is one of world racing’s most important events and holds its place on a pedestal as the world’s richest race for 2-year-olds,” Australian Turf Club’s Chief Executive Matt Galanos said.

“Five Group 1 races and a vibrant on-course atmosphere come together including a new precinct in the Hard Rated Home Straight all included in General Admission tickets. Our major partners in TAB will also hold a special surprise takeover event ahead of the running of the TAB Golden Slipper.”

Rosehill’s layout needs tactical speed

Jockey Tommy Berry has won the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes three times, one off the record of four held by Shane Dye and Ron Quinton, and he believes it is the unique layout of the Rosehill track which sorts out the difference between the good jockeys and the great, and the same applies to horses. The shape of the track is key in why Group 1 racing at Rosehill finds champions, especially the best juveniles who, as has been well documented, go on to have sensational stallion careers.

“Rosehill has a sharp bend at the first corner with a tight circuit. It’s unique and you need a horse with good tactical speed who makes the least mistakes,” said Berry.

“It takes a professional 2-year-old who is superior to the rest and can respond to tactics. It can be a very hard track to ride at times and only the best jockeys get the right results on the big occasions as finding the right spot at the start matters. At Randwick, you can get away with things going wrong, so you don’t need to be as tactical.

“At Rosehill, you can’t travel too wide around the home corner and ideally need to get the right pathway there. James McDonald rides the track as good as anyone.”

Berry’s winners have been on 2021 on Stay Inside, 2015 on Vancouver, and 2013 on Overreach (Exceed And Excel). The first two stand at stud with Stay Inside’s first crop currently yearlings, while Overreach has been a good broodmare with her three foals to race all being winners led by Group 2 winner Lofty Strike, who now stands at stud himself.

“I grew up at Warwick Farm and I’ve always loved Rosehill. You get a different crowd out west, a more vocal, more casual crowd and it is very family friendly. Rosehill is not as big as Randwick, so it’s easier to get around with a family, and you always see the public stand absolutely packed. It’s nice to see the everyday person out there and it has a good feel about it.”

The Golden Slipper’s influence

It was the inception of the Golden Slipper that really put Rosehill on the map in 1957. Originally seen as a gimmick, much like the now-Group 1-rated Everest, the race grew in statue thanks to the early winners like Todman, while nine of the first 11 winners now have races named after them. In many ways, the Golden Slipper's beginnings was similar to how the first winner of the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Snippets, gave that race gravitas.

“The Golden Slipper is the stallion-making race in Australasia, just look through the results, there is no other race that finds stallions like this one,” said Gai Waterhouse.

Waterhouse has won the G1 Golden Slipper a record seven times; in 2024 with Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon), 2020 with Farnan, 2015 with Vancouver, 2013 with Overreach, 2012 with Pierro, 2008 with Sebring, 2004 with Dance Hero (Danzero), and 2001 with Ha Ha (Danehill {USA}).

“The race was born at Rosehill, and it belongs there. George Ryder, the director of the Sydney Turf Club who ran Rosehill and Canterbury, conceived the idea, it was his brainchild, and the George Ryder Stakes is named after him.”

Waterhouse outlined why the Golden Slipper produces so many champions who go on to influence the Australian Thoroughbred through the breeding industry. “It’s a high-pressure race and it’s quite remarkable how the young horses who get through it can cope. They are tough customers, those juveniles who have early tactical speed plus the finishing burst to end the race off well.

“Rosehill, the track, plays a part and horses who thrive need to be the ones who cope well. (If the race was moved) it would be the same pressure anywhere, but it works well at Rosehill and should continue there.

“It’s the population base of Sydney, Liverpool, and surrounds, and what a great thing to have a track where the people live.”

Rosehill’s long and changing history

Originally a privately owned racetrack, created by John Bennett who’d made his fortune as a theatrical entertainer, the Rosehill Racing Club had their first meeting on April 18, 1885. Bennett’s track wasn’t popular to begin with, but once he added training facilities, it became popular with trainers who couldn’t afford to be near Randwick where land was harder to acquire.

“It’s been Sydney’s second racecourse for 140 years. It really had a tremendous boost when the Golden Slipper was first run in 1957 and has continued as a preeminent role in racing since then, and those of us who don’t want it to be sold, feel that a major city needs at least two world class racecourses,” said Bob Charley.

“Rosehill is about more than one race, it’s not a Slipper only track. It’s a vital part in the cog of Sydney racing. There are so many important races run there, and so many champions to have won there that they are innumerable.”

Before WWII, Sydney was filled with privately owned tracks, and many held all types of racing. Canterbury was well known as a pony track, where anyone could bring their household cart pony, have it measured for height and compete against other people’s ponies. Prize money was a pool of a small entry fee and winner takes all – cheating was rife, and there were several strategies to make a horse measure smaller than its real height so the horse could compete in a shorter division. Several trainers did well on the pony circuits through cheaply purchasing small thoroughbreds from stud farms.

By the 1920s and 1930s, the government felt these privately owned tracks were hot beds for crime, and a move towards change was growing. In 1943, the McKell Labour Government passed legislation to create the Sydney Turf Club who would run Rosehill and Canterbury under non-privately owned rules. Moorefield, Rosebery and Victoria Park all closed during this era and many trainers moved to Rosehill.

“We think it would be a shame for Rosehill to be sold, but even more so because there is no guarantee that the money that is apparently forthcoming will be of benefit to racing. The whole affair is shrouded in a lack of information on what the members can expect from the results,” Charley said.

“The suggestion is that the club would acquire and construct a new racecourse west of Sydney, but at least Rosehill is in the centre of a strong metropolis, being Parramatta, so it seems nonsense to go further west. Why sell an asset, when we, the doubters, can’t see how the ATC would be in financial difficulty if it was receiving the correct amount from Racing NSW.”

Rosehill Guineas has a long proud history

Arrowfield Stud sires The Autumn Sun, Castelvechhio, and Dundeel (NZ) all won the G1 Rosehill Guineas – a race which was the first Group 1 in Phar Lap's (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}) career. Phar Lap’s first win and first Group 1 win both came at Rosehill. He won a juvenile maiden on April 27, 1929 at Rosehill, and returned to the track the following season to win the Rosehill Guineas - therefore it can easily be claimed that his position as a legend of Australian history began at Rosehill.

“I don’t believe in stallion-making races, as such. A historically good race could have a weak field, so it’s a misnomer because that year it wouldn’t be a stallion’s race. We bought those three stallions because they were superior athletes who won a lot of good races,” said Arrowfield’s John Messara.

“I like the history and traditions of racing, and it would be a pity to pull the plug on Rosehill. It is a high quality track, one of only two world-class tracks in Sydney that has yielded champions and has many significant moments in racing history. In a major jurisdiction such as NSW, a change of venue would be deleterious to the whole industry, without a track of equal quality to move to.

“Without a coherent plan for both the sale and a replacement track, I am against a sale (of Rosehill). I see the potential for the industry if a proportion of the price could be retained for investment, but I am afraid that there is no certainty on a number of significant matters in the current plans.”

Rosehill’s aerial history

Rosehill was the location for the first aeroplane flight in Sydney in April 1910, and the second in Australia after Melbourne. Harry Houdini, best known for his lock breaking tricks, was the pilot for both flights. At Rosehill, he drove for two furlongs along the track in a rotary engine bi-plane before taking off and flying in a semi-circle around the perimeter of the track for about four minutes, then landed. Successfully landing these early planes took some skill as the engines had no gearing, so to slow them down, the pilot had to turn the engine off and on in succession, guessing on the ground speed, and then hope that they wouldn’t flip over on landing.

“I have conquered the four elements - fire, water, earth, and air. Fire—when I leaped handcuffed and manacled into boiling malt — be sure I did not stay there long! Water— when I leaped handcuffed and manacled into icy rivers, where it was death if I missed my dive — death if I could not get free. Earth— night after night, mastering the resistance of matter to the flesh and the will. Air — when I made the first sustained flight on an aeroplane in Australia; others invented the aeroplane, but as long as there is Australia I am the first to fly in Australia,” Houdini told the Sydney Mail and NSW Advertiser on April 20, 1910.

Several other early air races and aerial demonstrations also took place at Rosehill between 1910 and WWII.

A rich vein of history flows from Rosehill; 140 years of racing has graced the turf, and it has been a lynch pin in Sydney’s training and racing scene for 82 years since the first board of directors were appointed to look after the facilities. Four more horses will have the opportunity this weekend to irrevocably bind themselves to Rosehill’s vibrant tapestry of champions. As ATC members draw closer to casting their vote on the sale of one of Sydney’s historical and cultural centres, they should take a moment to consider if there is anywhere else that the roar of the local crowd would sound the same.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

The Bureau of Meterology's Saturday’s forecast for Sydney is “High 28. Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon, then becoming light during the evening.”

However, the amount of rain forecast is up to 1 mm, so barely touching the surface. It’s been hot and dry in Sydney in the past seven days, with extreme heat last weekend. What could this mean for our 2025 G1 Golden Slipper Stakes field?

Written Tycoon’s firm track influence

Since 1991, there have been 21 Golden Slipper winners on a fast/good track (72 per cent of winners), although this is partly due to the Millennium Drought, which lasted from 1997 to 2009. In the last ten years, half of the races have been on a fast/good surface, while the other half have been split with one on a dead/soft surface and four on slow or heavy track conditions.

Written Tycoon has a strong firm track influence with his two winners, Capitalist and Lady Of Camelot, both winning on a Good 4 surface.

This year the surface is rated Good 4 on Wednesday leading into the Slipper. Capitalist is the sire of Peter Snowden-trained Quietly Arrogant, while Written Tycoon has three runners being Tycoon Star, Military Tycoon, and Skyhook.

“The fact that he’s an Australian-bred and raced horse suggests that his progeny will thrive in the local environment and conditions,” said Yulong’s Vin Cox about Written Tycoon.

“Written Tycoon continues to defy his age, and arguably, his most consistent crops have been his recent ones, conceived in this later stage of life. It speaks volumes for how good he’s been all the way through, and having three runners in the race is fantastic.”

Farnan and Not A Single Doubt

In 2020, Farnan won on a dead (officially rated Soft 5) surface, and his three wins that autumn were all on Soft tracks, while his debut win in the spring was on a Good 3.

In 2025, he has three first-crop runners in the field being Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained pair, North England and Farcited, and the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained King Of Pop.

“They are very fit, happy horses, and the form going into the race is strong. They’ve drawn mid-field and out. Often, the track can be better off the fence, and by the time the Slipper is run, it might be the best spot,” said Gai Waterhouse.

Not A Single Doubt, Farnan’s sire, is well-represented in this year’s Golden Slipper, with G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Devil Night (Extreme Choice) being by one of his sons, while both Quietly Arrogant and Bellazaine (Zousain) are out of Not A Single Doubt mares.

Not A Single Doubt didn’t run in the G1 Golden Slipper himself, but he did win twice as a 2-year-old on Good tracks and was second in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic and fourth in the G2 Todman Stakes on the same surface rating.

Shuttle stallions crossed with Australian mares

European racing tends to be run on softer ground than here in Australia, and it is noteworthy that all the shuttle stallions represent by runners in the Slipper have been crossed with Australian-bred mares to produce those runners.

Wootton Bassett (GB) has two runners, Wodeton and West Of Swindon. Wodeton is out of Listed Morphettville Guineas winner Fiera Vista (Exceed And Excel), while West Of Swindon is out of Fife (Starcraft {NZ}).

“Wootton Bassett’s stock are versatile on all surfaces around the world, they’ve raced everywhere and won everywhere across Australia, America, and Europe,” said Coolmore’s Colm Santry.

“It’s very encouraging with what we’ve seen them do on fast ground here, as they’ve performed well in Australian conditions. The Slipper favourite, Wodeton, seems pretty versatile, as he’s handled soft and good surfaces.”

Wodeton won on debut on a Soft 7, and his two placed runs (third in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes and second in the G2 Todman Stakes) since then have both been on a Good 4.

The other runner from an Exceed And Excel mare is Tempted (Street Boss {USA}), whose dam, Calliope, ran 12th in Capitalist’s G1 Golden Slipper and had won the G2 Magic Night Stakes and Listed Gimcrack Stakes coming into the Slipper of her year.

Lucky Vega (Ire)’s runner, Within The Law, is out of Contract Signed (Dundeel {NZ}), while unbeaten Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}) is out of So You Think (NZ) mare Intrinsic who won a juvenile race on debut on a Good surface, later adding two more wins on Soft and Heavy ground as an older mare.

Cover image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Trentham will host New Zealand’s final classic race for 3-year-olds this season, as a field of talented staying fillies take to the famed “champagne turf” in pursuit of Group 1 glory over 2400 metres in the G1 New Zealand Oaks.

Fillies in form are hard to beat

Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) has long been the standout contender for this prestigious race and remains the commanding $1.30 favourite to claim victory in her ultimate season target. The exceptional Derryn filly has met every Group race challenge set for her during a stellar campaign, which she hopes to cap off with a triumph in Saturday’s G1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham.

Trained by Robbie Patterson, Leica Lucy has already secured wins in the G3 Eulogy Stakes, G3 Desert Gold Stakes, G2 David and Karen Ellis Fillies Classic, and the G2 Lowland Stakes this season. With those victories, she has already wrapped up the NZB 2024/25 Filly of the Year title—before contesting the Group 1 feature.

The Lead-Up to the Big One

Trainer Robbie Patterson, was thrilled with Leica Lucy’s final gallop on Tuesday morning, saying, “She worked super. She bounced off the track, and one thing’s certain, she’ll be getting more work this week after that!”

When asked how he’s handling the lead-up to the Group 1, Patterson admitted, “it’s not about feeling pressure, it’s more anticipation. When you’ve got a $1.30 shot in a Group 1, you just hope everything goes right. There’s a big expectation, and rightly so, but you just want the filly to get every chance.”

Patterson has been vocal about the New Zealand Oaks being the long-term plan all season, stating, “since she won her maiden, her target has always been the Oaks. We’ve taken every small step along the way, and she should nearly be unbeaten. Over this trip, she should excel.”

Asked what characteristics made him believe she was an Oaks filly, he said, “her total demeanour, she eats, she relaxes. The only time she plays up a bit is before the start or in the parade ring, but I think that’s more about freshness. I’ve always kept her that way, with an eye always on the Oaks.

“But once she gets in the gates, she jumps, puts herself where she wants and relaxes. She’s been winning on pure ability.”

Returning to the early signs of her potential, Patterson recalled, “she always looked smart. In her first jump-out a year ago, she idled up to one of (Allan) Sharrock’s horses that had already won a race, and we thought, ‘geez, she goes good.’

“Soon after that, she had to get a bone chip out, which was probably a blessing in disguise as it gave her more time.”

A staying filly by Derryn

When Grangewilliam Stud purchased Derryn in 2018, few would have predicted he’d sire the hot favourite for a Group 1 Classic over 2400 metres.

Derryn’s sire, Hinchinbrook, was a precocious talent, winning twice at stakes level as a juvenile in the G3 Skyline Stakes and Listed Canonbury Stakes. At stud, he has produced 298 winners at an impressive 74 per cent winners to runners ratio, including 22 stakes winners and four at Group 1 level.

Derryn has carried on his lineage with handy statistics from limited opportunities. He has sired 46 winners at a respectable 48 per cent winners to runners ratio, including four stakes winners, which includes Leica Lucy, Spencer (NZ), Antipodean (NZ) and Sophmaze (NZ).

Derryn’s damline is also packed with speed. His dam, Munhro (Lonhro), won over 1150 metres and is a half-sister to two Group winners. His grandam, Regrowth (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), was a three-time juvenile winner, including two Listed victories. Remarkably, she produced 12 foals to race, all winners.

Derryn’s pedigree traces back to top sires Not A Single Doubt and Snippets, and Derryn was cleverly mated with a sire out of a Snippets mare, reinforcing his impressive lineage. As seen before, blending Australian speed influences with New Zealand mares can often produce elite middle-distance horses, and Leica Lucy may be the latest one to follow that philosophy.

Does Leica Lucy’s damline scream 2400 metres?

At first glance, Leica Lucy’s sire doesn’t immediately suggest strong staying potential. However, a closer look at her female family reveals a few key influences, that support a step up in distance.

Her dam, Dynamite Lucy (NZ) (Sir Percy {GB}), was a 1600 metres winner at three and stretched out to place at 2100 metres in premier quality company at Trentham.

Her sire, Sir Percy (GB), a G1 Epsom Derby winner, is a noted stamina influence. Though he only produced three small crops in New Zealand, his own progeny and from his mares globally have demonstrated a clear preference for longer trips.

Her grandam and great-grandam were by Pins and Deputy Governor (USA), stallions known for having the ability to produce 3-year-olds who excel in mile to middle-ditance races.

Ultimately, Leica Lucy may not be a traditional 2400 metres filly by pedigree, but she’s an outstanding athlete whose brilliance could extend to the Oas distance.

Ozzie Kheir’s investment in a current, and potential future Star

After Leica Lucy’s G3 Desert Gold Stakes win, high-profile owner Ozzie Kheir took notice and struck a deal with owners Heather and Peter Crofskey, who remain part of the ownership.

Under the agreement, Patterson would continue training her through the G2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic, G2 Lowland Stakes, and the G1 New Zealand Oaks. Two of the three are already in the bag—only the Oaks remains.

“Having Ozzie on board has been fantastic. He’s very much ‘horse first,’ and I appreciate that.” Patterson said.

After a slightly bruised heel raised concerns during vetting, Patterson reassured Kheir, “I told Ozzie it wasn’t a problem, she’d be fine, I just had to manage it. He took my word for it, which showed a lot of trust, considering we didn’t know each other.”

Regardless of the Oaks result, Leica Lucy is booked to fly to Australia on March 25 to join Chris Waller’s stable. Whether she contests the Australian Oaks remains to be seen, but Patterson hopes to send her off as a Group 1 winner.

The Patterson-Grylls partnership: A winning combination

The Patterson-Grylls duo has been dominant in stakes races for years. Craig Grylls, the current leading jockey in the New Zealand premiership is unbeaten on Leica Lucy, and has guided her to four consecutive Group race victories.

“Craig loves the filly and rates her,” Patterson said.

When asked about their partnership, Patterson explained, “Craig is the backbone of our stable, particularly in stakes races. When you put him on, you know the horse will get every chance.”

Grylls echoed the sentiment, “I’m looking forward to riding her. She’s very exciting, and it’s grand final day here in New Zealand.”

Regarding the step up to 2400 metres, Grylls was confident, “she’s had a couple of good wins over ground, so the step-up shouldn’t be an issue. It’s a big test for any 3-year-old, but she’s up for it.”

Speaking about Patterson’s approach, Grylls added, “it’s great riding for him, he’s easygoing. Before every race, he says, ‘You’ve ridden more winners than me, you know what to do.’ He trusts me to ride my best race, which makes a difference.”

With everything falling into place, all eyes will be on Leica Lucy this Saturday as she chases Group 1 glory in the New Zealand Oaks. Will she cement her place as one of the best fillies of her generation before crossing the ditch?