Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Kundabung hitting stride for connections
The Waikato Stud silks may have finished second on the day, but the result was one to savour for the famed New Zealand nursery, as it marked a quinella for their exciting young stallion, Super Seth. The son of Dundeel (NZ) continues to build momentum, with his progeny going from strength to strength on the track and he stands this season at a raised fee of NZ$75,000 plus GST.
The action came late in the race, after a solid tempo was set by She Rex (NZ) (Russian Revolution) with the Chris Waller-trained Kundabung (NZ) (Super Seth) and the Ciaron Maher-trained, Waikato Stud-bred, owned and raced So Long Farewell (NZ) (Super Seth) settling off the pace, and then surging through the middle of the pack. In the end, Kundabung proved dominant, pulling away for a convincing win with So Long Farewell a length and a half adrift in second.
Adding further to the Super Seth quinella and the general Waikato Stud flavour of the result, was the fact that both the progeny of Super Seth are out of O'Reilly (NZ) mares, and both were bred by Waikato Stud. In one final twist, the third-placegetter Vetwelve (Grunt {NZ}), is by a son of Waikato Stud's legendary O’Reilly, he narrowly held off Charleroi (Dundeel {NZ}) to round out the placings.
A 3-year-old gelding, Kundabung is out of O’Dianne (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who placed fourth in both the R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Mile, and the Listed Wellesley Stakes. She is already proving her worth in the broodmare barn, having also produced the Listed winner Avebury (NZ) (Savabeel) and the G1 Queensland Derby placegetter Paternal (NZ) (Savabeel).
Kundabung’s granddam, Breezy (NZ) (Pins), was a Group 3 winner and hails from the extended family of globetrotting Group 1 star Starcraft (NZ).
Kundabung (NZ) winning the Maiden Plate at Kensington | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Despite his evident talent, Kundabung has a bit of a reputation at the barriers, from which he has been late scratched at the gates before, a topic trainer Chris Waller addressed post-race.
“Full credit to Adam, he has done a lot of work with him, and hence the reason why he was on him today. The horse has got ability, as you can see, he has just lacked it mentally,” Waller said.
“Full credit to Adam, he has done a lot of work with him (Kundabung). The horse has got ability, as you can see, he has just lacked it mentally,” - Chris Waller
“He will get to a mile easily, but we just wanted to see him do things right, and when the horse was playing up in the barriers, it’s dangerous, not just for the horse, but obviously the jockey and the starters’ attendants. So you've got to get all those little things right before you can go planning ahead. Hopefully, we can progress through to a Saturday race at least.”
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Jockey Adam Hyeronimus echoed those sentiments, providing insight into Kundabung’s mannerisms and development.
“He’s just an anxious horse, it’s all learning,” Hyeronimus said. “But it’s good to see him make the progression. He trialled well, his manners were good, and he actually trialled very well without doing a great deal on him, so I was very confident coming here today.
“He’s (Kundabung) just an anxious horse, it’s all learning.” - Adam Hyeronimus
“He wants to sort of get on with the job, even going to the gates, and that’s why he is a little bit agitated in the barriers, but the fellas behind the gates have done a really good job with him. They know him now, and he jumps really well.
“The biggest thing is he’s such a big horse and he is strong, so it is just about getting him to settle and conserve that energy. We had a beautiful run in transit and everything opened up at the top of the straight, and he was too good.”
Kundabung (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Kundabung was purchased for $450,000 from the draft of Sledmere Stud (as agent for Waikato Stud) by Mulcaster Bloodstock and Chris Waller Racing at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Since producing Kundabung, O’Dianne has foaled a yearling filly by Noverre (NZ) and was served again by the young Waikato Stud stallion last spring.
Burn The Sky: Burns the track on debut
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Burn The Sky (Zoustar) had shown plenty of promise in her lead-up trials, first having an educational trial at Canterbury last December, then winning impressively at Rosehill on April 11, before a quiet, but polished third at Randwick on April 24. Those trials clearly did the job in educating the filly, who delivered a professional performance on debut, charging along the rail to win impressively over 1400 metres under jockey Regan Bayliss.
In a race largely dominated by on-speed runners, Burn The Sky showed a touch of class to come from behind and claim victory by just over a length. The brave Hereward (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) stuck on gamely for second after setting the pace, while I Am Carrot (Castelvecchio) boxed on well for third from a prominent position.
It was an eye-catching debut from the daughter of Zoustar, who not only looks very promising with what she may achieve as a 3-year-old filly, but also boasts serious residual value as a broodmare prospect.
She is a three-quarter sister to Mizzy and She’s Got Pizzazz, both by Widden Stud's Zoustar. Mizzy was a standout mare, earning just under $1.9 million with victories in the G1 Canterbury Stakes, G2 Golden Pendant, G2 Sheraco Stakes and G3 Toy Show Handicap. She’s Got Pizzazz has also won at both Group 3 and Listed level.
Burn The Sky winning the Darley Handicap at Kensington | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Burn The Sky is the first foal out of Combat Queen (Pierro), a two-time mile winner in New Zealand for the Te Akau team. Her pedigree only deepens further, with her grandam Missy Cummings (Magnus) winning the Listed James HB Carr Stakes, her third dam Lady Knockout (Serheed {USA}) a triple Listed winner up to 2000 metres, and her fourth dam Prime Again (Marooned {GB}) having won at Group 2, Group 3, and Listed level as well as managing a placing in the G1 South Australian Oaks.
So there is a lovely blend of speed and stamina throughout her page, and winning on debut over 1400 metres opens up plenty of options as she could easily step out in trip as a furnished, strong, 3-year-old filly.
Co-trainer Tom Charlton was candid post-race, suggesting there is plenty more to come.
Tom Charlton | Image courtesy of Australian Turf Club
“I wasn't sure personally whether she could win on debut as she is a very big, scopey filly, as you would have seen,” Charlton said.
“So I think whatever she can achieve this campaign, she's no doubt going to be a much better 3-year-old.
“We'll have a think and see how she comes through the run, whether there's an option to give her another run, or whether we tip her out now and she can have a nice period out before the spring, where we can aim a bit higher.”
Burn The Sky as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Burn The Sky was secured for what looks a smart purchase price of $250,000 from the draft of Widden Stud by John O’Shea Racing and James Bester at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Since producing Burn The Sky, her dam Combat Queen has foaled a weanling filly by Zoustar and was covered by the Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside last spring.
Just A Journey: Just too quick in front
There was only one thing on Tommy Berry’s mind aboard the Michael Freedman-trained Just A Journey (Justify {USA}) and that was to get to the front and dictate , from what looked a potentially tricky draw in barrier seven, that’s exactly what he did, leading from start to finish in dominant style on the progressive filly.
It was a carbon copy of her last-start win at Kembla Grange on April 19, where she employed the same tactics in the hands of Jean Van Overmeire to defeat Jenni Gone Bonkers (Maurice {Jpn}). The pair repeated the quinella at Kensington, again over 1400 metres, this time under handicap conditions. Despite carrying an extra 1.5kg than her rival compared to her last win, Just A Journey proved too slick once more.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Ripley (Too Darn Hot {GB}), a well-bred colt, battled on gamely after sitting outside the leader throughout, but couldn’t match her acceleration when the sprint went on.
Just A Journey winning the Handicap at Kensington | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
A filly with serious pedigree, Just A Journey is by the American superstar Justify (USA) and is the second foal from Caravan (Snitzel), who herself is a full sister to the G1 Moir Stakes winner and Newgate stallion Wild Ruler. Caravan is also a half-sister to Pavitra (American Pharoah {USA}), a G3 Kembla Grange Classic winner and dual G1 placegetter in the VRC Oaks and Vinery Stud Stakes.
Michael Freedman Racing’s stable representative Ben Duckworth was full of praise for the filly post-race.
“She’s very straightforward. Tommy rode her great, got her out of the gates cleanly and she was able to dictate from the front and was too strong late.”
“She’s (Just A Journey) very straightforward. Tommy rode her great, got her out of the gates cleanly and she was able to dictate from the front and was too strong late.” - Ben Duckworth
A $400,000 yearling purchase from Kia Ora Stud’s draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Just A Journey was secured by James Bester Bloodstock. Bester remains in the ownership alongside a strong syndicate including Robert and Barbara McClure of Morning Rise Stud, and she wears those famous colours.
Since foaling Just A Journey, her dam Caravan has produced a weanling colt by So You Think (NZ), born in November last year.
Just A Journey as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Alacritous breaks maiden in style, living up to her classy pedigree
Things didn’t quite go to plan on debut for the Stephen Marsh-trained Alacritous (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), who finished seventh at Te Rapa after settling back in the field and being held up for much of the home straight. But at Matamata, in the hands of Craig Grylls, the promising 2-year-old filly turned things around in style. Relishing a hot tempo, she enjoyed an economical run in midfield before unleashing down the outside to score an impressive win by a neck.
The race was set up by Vanbrugh Belle (NZ) (Vanbrugh), who rolled along at a solid clip but faded out late, leaving it a test of stamina and class. Alacritous was the one to emerge strongest in the conditions, but runner-up Cream Tart (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) was a real eye-catcher. The Tony Pike-trained filly, a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh), weaved her way through from the rear to grab second and is one to watch going forward. A further four lengths back in third was Granger (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
Alacritous (NZ) winning the Pearl Series Maiden at Matamata | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Alacritous continues the outstanding run of form for Dundeel’s fillies. She comes from a deep and successful family, her dam Parmalove (Snitzel) was a two-time winner and is a half-sister to brilliant juvenile Velocious (Written Tycoon), winner of the G1 Sistema Stakes, R. Listed Karaka 2YO Million, and the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes, all in the Go Racing colours. Another half-sibling, Penvose Lad (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}), has won three races and was placed in the Listed Champagne Stakes.
With Dundeel having sired 10 stakes winners this season, including the G1 South Australian Derby heroine Femminile, it wouldn’t surprise to see Alacritous step up to black-type company as a spring three-year-old and potnetially over more ground.
Trainer Stephen Marsh was far from discouraged by her debut effort and was delighted with the turnaround at Matamata.
Stephen Marsh | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“She drew wide that day. Michael (McNab) rode her, and he blamed himself. He was very keen to stick with her, he thought she was a filly with massive upside,” Marsh said.
“He’s suspended, so Gryllsy (Craig Grylls) jumped on. She is a very nice filly and is obviously a half to our very good filly at home (Velocious).
“It looked like Cream Tart came through them, kicked away and looked the logical winner, but Gryllsy got us out to the right part (of the track) and she really attacked the line,” Marsh continued. “That’s not really her sort of track either, but she was great.”
“It looked like Cream Tart came through them, kicked away and looked the logical winner, but Gryllsy got us out to the right part (of the track) and she (Alacritous) really attacked the line.” - Stephen Marsh
In-form jockey Craig Grylls was also encouraged by the performance.
“Stephen was fairly confident when I got on her today, he said the first run wasn’t that bad and he quite liked her,” he said. “She probably wasn’t handling it that well, throughout the run I was only just touching the bridle, but once she got into clear air and I got her to the middle of the track, she had that horse to chase down and she was pretty tough.”
Alacritous (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Alacritous was purchased for $300,000 from Inglewood Stud’s draft by Go Racing Limited and Blandford Bloodstock at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Her dam Parmalove was recently purchased by Walnut Farm for $730,000 via the 2024 Inglis May (Early) Online Sale, after a minor setback prevented her from going through the Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Since foaling Alacritous, Parmalove has produced a weanling colt by Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and is due to foal a Written Tycoon full sibling to Velocious in October this year.
