Cover image courtesy of Waikato Stud
Pricey Super Seth gelding impressive at Mornington
Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 3-year-old gelding Street Artist (NZ) (Super Seth) won at Mornington on Friday by four and three-quarter-lengths, delivering the first half of a Yulong double at the track. Placed at his last start behind subsequent Group 3 winner Ferivia (Astern) and Group-placed Express Class (Exceedance), he is now a winner from three starts.
“We have a pretty high opinion of him, he has always shown a lot of ability, and it was nice to see him produce,” co-trainer Sam Freedman said after the run. Gelding the 3-year-old has been the turning point for his performance.
"We have a pretty high opinion of him (Street Artist), he has always shown a lot of ability, and it was nice to see him produce." - Sam Freedman
“If you could have scratched a horse for behavioural issues before a race, he would have been a prime candidate. Before his second start at Sandown, he was a real handful out the back in the tie-ups. So we gelded him. He ran on a Wednesday and was gelded on Thursday, and he was under saddle by Saturday.
“To the vet’s credit, Tom and all his staff, it has been a quick turnaround, probably the quickest we have had from being gelded to back to the races.”
Street Artist winning the Maiden Plate at Mornington | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Another crucial factor was the booking of Mark Zahra, as Freedman explained, "you don’t get Mark (Zahra) down the highway very often, so it was nice to get him down here to ride him.
“He was a beautiful type, he looked like a sharper type of Super Seth. He was probably Anthony’s (Freedman) pick of the (Magic Millions) sale. He and Tentyris have been the two we have ear-marked the whole way through. One had the brain for it as a colt and the other one didn’t, but we hold this horse in high regard. We will plot a path through the spring and find a nice race for him.”
"He (Street Artist) and Tentyris have been the two we have ear-marked the whole way through." - Sam Freedman
Street Artist holds a nomination for the G1 Golden Rose Stakes.
Sales: The gelding was purchased by Anthony Freedman at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $470,000 from Waikato Stud.
Street Artist as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Pedigree: Street Artist is the second foal and second winner for Pink Graffiti (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) who won three times and is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), Group 1 winner Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), Group 2 winner Rare Insight (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), and Listed winner Escadaire (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Just Feelin’ Lucky scoops Mona Lisa
The winner of the G3 Gunsynd Stakes over the Queensland carnival, 4-year-old Just Feelin’ Lucky (Justify {USA}) saluted yet again at stakes level on Friday in the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong. Trained by Michael Freedman, the mare stalked the leader under the guidance of Tommy Berry until turning for home, at which point she swept to the lead. Fending off a fast finishing Overriding (Star Turn), the mare scored by a short neck.
The victory was a fifth career win from just 10 starts for the lightly raced 4-year-old, who has earned more than $387,000 to date.
Sales: James Bester Bloodstock paid $80,000 for Just Feelin’ Lucky when she was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Ashleigh Thoroughbreds.
Pedigree: Just Feelin’ Lucky is out of a Pierro half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Cosmic Endeavour (Northern Meteor), out of multiple Listed winner Crevette (Danehill {USA}). This is the extended family of Hong Kong champion Fairy King Prawn (Danehill {USA}) and Easy Rocking. Dam Phylicia (Pierro) is due to foal to Capitalist in October.
Just Feelin’ Lucky as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ninth Wyong Cup for Waller as Saltcoats dances home
Antepost favourite Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan) has danced his way to a $3 million Big Dance berth after delivering trainer Chris Waller’s ninth victory in the Listed Wyong Cup on Friday afternoon. The 5-year-old gelding travelled comfortably under little pressure from James McDonald when towards the rear of the field, only making his move upon straightening to snatch a win away from Salt Lake City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by a quarter of a length at the finish line.
“We had the right man (McDonald) on board,’’ said Waller’s stable representative Jamie Smith. “He got Saltcoats into a perfect position, he didn’t have to do too much work early, and he looked the winner a long way out.’’
“We had the right man (McDonald) on board.’’ - Jamie Smith
Waller’s nine victories have come since his first in 2010 with Hawk Island (Ire) (Hawk Wing {USA}); McDonald has won the event four times, with his previous three victories all coming on Waller gallopers, including subsequent G1 Caulfield Cup winner Durston (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ire}).
“He relaxed like a dream which enabled him to get the trip but this is probably as far as he wants,’’ McDonald told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-race. The 1600-metre Big Dance is run on Melbourne Cup day in November, and is the likely big spring target for the gelding.
Sales: Saltcoats was a private purchase for his ownership group, which includes Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski’s Yes Bloodstock. He was previously trained in New Zealand by Samantha Logan, winning the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes.
Pedigree: Saltcoats is out of a half-sister to G2 Waikato Gold Cup winner Singing Star (NZ) (Danasinga), dam of G3 Lowland Stakes winner and G1 New Zealand Oaks runner-up Miss Selby (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). Through his third dam, he is related to Yarraman Park Stud’s Hellbent.
Wootton Bassett’s Napoleonic impressive at Wyong
John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained 3-year-old colt Napoleonic (Wootton Bassett {GB}) won the opening race at Wyong by an impressive four and three-quarter-lengths. Sent out the favourite, the colt put on a strong showing to speed away from his competition upon straightening under the steerage of James McDonald. Placed at two, he was having his third career start and his first outing as a 3-year-old.
Wootton Bassett has shuttled to Coolmore Stud again this spring for an elevated fee of $385,000 (inc GST).
Sales: Napoleonic was sold by Widden Stud at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $360,000 to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock on behalf of Pinecliff Racing.
Pedigree: He is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Ready Set Sail (More Than Ready {USA}) and stakes-placed Set The Sails (More Than Ready {USA}), the dam of G3 Red Roses Stakes runner-up Vestas (Toronado {Ire}). Dam Jolie Brise (Fastnet Rock) is due to foal to Zousain this spring.
Napoleonic as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Tagaloa adds winner at Mornington
Second season sire Tagaloa added winner number seven when Yulong-owned 3-year-old gelding Tagline won at his second start at Mornington on Friday for trainer Matt Laurie. Tagline had placed on debut, and stepped up his performance on Friday when sneaking around the leaders upon straightening, before letting down strongly for Daniel Stackhouse to win by three quarters of a length.
The victory secured a double for owners Yulong at Mornington on Friday.
Sales: Tagline was bred and retained to race by Yulong Investments.
Pedigree: He is the third winner for Rekindled Glow (Redoute’s Choice), who is an unraced half-sister to Group 1 winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) and is due to foal to Tagaloa again this spring. Her dam Rekindled Applause (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) has produced two other stakes performers, as well as the dam of Yulong stallion Alabama Express.
