Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Pictor caps Chris Waller trifecta at Kensington
Sydney crowds are accustomed to seeing Chris Waller’s name up in lights, and on Wednesday, he showcased the depth of his stable with a trifecta in race one on the card at Kensington. James McDonald elected to ride Yulong’s 3-year-old colt Pictor (Written Tycoon) and sat behind the speed with his stable mates behind him. The trio of Waller runners didn’t look like they’d achieve the trifecta until the final furlong when Pictor burst down the centre to take the lead, dragging his stablemates with him.
Pictor won by half a length over Tommy Berry aboard 3-year-old filly Panova (Trapeze Artist) who is owned by B2B Thoroughbreds. In third, to round out the stable’s trifecta was Nash Rawiller aboard Woppitt Bloodstock-owned 4-year-old mare Emballee (Pierro).
“The key was the trip,” Waller's assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said of the 1400 metre trip.
“We probably got it wrong last start. He was dual accepted and we went for the wrong option. We learned our lesson there and made amends today.”
“We probably got it wrong last start. He (Pictor) was dual accepted and we went for the wrong option. We learned our lesson there and made amends today.” - Charlie Duckworth
Getting a win on the board quickly with an expensive well-bred colt is an important milestone for their future endeavours, and Pictor achieved this at his third start. He debuted as a late 2-year-old, running a close second to Grand Prairie (Written Tycoon) who recently added the G3 Up & Coming Stakes to his resume. While only seventh last start, Pictor showed his natural ability in winning his maiden here.
“He's a bit behind the others but off his work at home we thought he was going to end up being on a Guineas path this preparation,” he said.
Charlie Duckworth | Image courtesy of Chris Waller Racing
“He had a very minor issue which set him back ten days of work. Nothing that is going to prevent him going onwards and upwards and I imagine he'll be seen at a higher level through the autumn. It's just two weeks too late which is a real shame but he is actually a really good colt.”
Sales info: Pictor was originally sold by Yulong at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $150,000 to CH Bloodstock. He was put through the Inglis Ready To Race Sale by Leanach Lodge where Yulong stepped up to buy him for $525,000. This is the same sale that Yulong bought the sale topper Signature Scent (Written Tycoon) for $1 million in similar circumstances, having previously sold her at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $200,000.
Pictor as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Pedigree info: Pictor is the first foal of six-time winner Be My Star (Zoustar) who also ran fourth in the G3 Proud Miss Stakes. She has a 2-year-old colt and a filly foal by Lucky Vega (Ire). Be My Star is a half-sister to seven-time winner Sir Artie (Flying Artie) who was a last start winner in Sydney in September. This is the family of Group 1 winner Uncommon James (Cable Bay {Ire}).
Tight finish gives pricey Bajaria the win
It took just three starts for Bajaria (I Am Invincible) to tick off that first important victory. The race, at Sale on Wednesday, went down to the wire with the Peter Gelagotis-trained 3-year-old filly just putting his nose in front by an official margin of 0.06 lengths from Reece Goodwin-trained 4-year-old gelding Rosa Aotearoa (Dundeel {NZ}). It was a decent three lengths back to third placed 3-year-old colt I’mateez (Capitalist) who is a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).
Bajaria was fourth on debut at two and followed that up with a placing last start. Her consistency and tenacity shone through in this win.
“Most definitely (the gear changes helped) and a genuine tempo in the race. She hasn’t quite found her rhythm. What you are seeing is a raw filly who does a lot wrong. It’s exciting,” said Gelagotis.
“In the autumn you’ll see a very good filly. It’s very pleasing for connections. This horse wasn’t paid for at the sales, and we had to put our kahoonas on the line to get people involved in an expensive filly and we are grateful to the people who supported us.
“I really liked her last 100 metres and what you are seeing is very raw and very surreal for her. There’s a lot more to come. Segenhoe stud is a boutique farm who does an outstanding job. She’ll make a real classic filly as she goes on.”
Peter Gelagotis | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Sales info: Bajaria was purchased for $525,000 by Toking, Stephen Gray Racing and Wattle Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is raced by a syndicate of 13 owners.
Pedigree info: Bajaria is the third foal out of the very well-performed Oregon’s Day (Domesday), she was a five-time winner and won just under $1 million on the track. Her wins included the G2 AD Hollindale Stakes, G3 Frances Tressady Stakes, G3 Alexandra Stakes, and the Listed Thoroughbred Club Cup.
Oregon’s Day is a half-sister to the G2 Perth Cup winner Talent Show (Jeune {GB}), and the Listed winner Oregon Spirit (Bel Esprit), and is out of the Group 3 winner Oregon Seal (NZ) (Oregon {USA}). Oregon’s Day has since left a yearling filly by Snitzel, and is due to foal to Anamoe in late October.
Bajaria as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Matsuda’s demolition job at Sale
Ciaron Maher-trained 3-year-old gelding Matsuda (Maurice {Jpn}) relished the 1740 metres at Sale on Wednesday with a five length demolition job. Placed on debut at the beginning of spring, Matsuda came to Flemington last start for the Victoria Derby Preview.
Raced by his trainer and partners, Matsuda has a win and two placings from four starts and looks like a very promising stayer in the making. He’s bred to head to the G1 Victoria Derby, with his dam’s half-brother Monaco Consul (NZ) winning the race, as did Maurice’s Hitotsu.
Matsuda as a weanling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“A nice big horse with a beautiful big stride on him. The speed was run to suit him and put us in a lovely rhythm throughout. I wanted to use his action to build into the straight, and once we did that he quickened really well but then wanted to run around a bit,” said jockey Tommy Stockdale.
Stockdale stayed on well when Matsuda shied on the finishing line.
“A nice big horse with a beautiful big stride on him (Matsuda). The speed was run to suit him and put us in a lovely rhythm throughout.” - Tommy Stockdale
“Initially he wanted to hang in, and once I gave him a little bit of one, he tried to run out and check his price in the ring or have a drink in the bar!”
Sales info: Sold by Glenbeigh Farm at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale, Matsuda cost AB Bloodstock $190,000.
Pedigree info: The fourth winner from six to race for Courtesan (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Matsuda is a full brother to a yearling filly and colt foal. His dam also has 2-year-old filly Autumn Lover (The Autumn Sun).
Courtesan is a half-sister to G1 Spring Champion Stakes and G1 Victoria Derby winner and sire Monaco Consul (NZ), so there is plenty of stamina in the pedigree.
