Tuesday, June 29, 2010

MAY HAY WHILE STATUE SHINES

Statue of Liberty book almost full

Not surprisingly, the phone has run hot all week since Hay List’s WJ Healy demolition last Saturday.
Eliza Park’s Mark Lindsay – who heads up the sales and noms team – has personally taken over 30 bookings since Monday and points out the door is about to shut.
“Statue of Liberty was hugely popular last season, but the interest around him in 2010 is even greater,” Mark explains. “We have already given the option to those mare owners who booked into Statue of Liberty in 2009 but with his book about to close, it will be strictly on a first come basis.
“The horse just goes from strength to strength.”
Phone Mark Lindsay on 0416 334 338 for further information.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

BEL ESPRIT: NOTCHES THE TON!

It might have been a wintry Sunday at Cranbourne, but first starter Balavan has created history of sorts by becoming Bel’s Esprit’s 100th individual winner for the 2009-10 season.
Out of the Flying Spur mare Danure (and closely related to Danzero), Balavan was bred by A Basetti and is clearly above average, heading to the lead on turning for home and scooting away to win by three panels: by a lot more if jockey Peter Mertens was pushing.
According to Bel Esprit stats guru Brian Donohoe:
  • Balavan is one of 36 Bel Esprits to win at their first start
  • Balavan’s trainer, Tony Vasil, also trained Rich Forever – the second Bel Esprit to win in Victoria (18 January 2007)
  • Of Bel Esprit’s 100 winners, 90 won in Australia, 5 in Singapore, 3 in Hong Kong, 1 in Macau and 1 in Korea

STATUE OF LIBERTY SW NO. 10



Hay List is ultra-impressive
Hay List served notice on Australia’s best sprinters with a devastating win in the $175,000 WJ Healy Stakes over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
Hay List treated his rivals with contempt to run out the easiest of winners, his first win at stakes level but, judged on this performance, one would imagine certainly not his last.
On his first start for John McNair stable after eight wins from nine starts in Western Australia under the tutelage of Jim Taylor, Hay List finished a solid second to Love Conquers All in the June Stakes. Hay List was nominated for the Pacesetter Stakes at Gosford on Wednesday, but McNair elected to tackle the tougher race yesterday and his judgement was vindicated in style.
Hay List drove across the field from barrier 11 to lead after 400m and that, effectively, was the race over.
Hay List led to the home turn where jockey Chris Munce, still with feet on the dashboard, allowed the big gelding a bit more rein and response was both immediate and decisive.
Hay List simply accelerated away from his rivals. At the 300m he was some three-lengths clear and then, under the mildest of urgings from Munce, he kept going away.
At the finish it was a still widening five lengths and worth more as Munce began to ease the four-year-old down toward the finish.
Pinwheel (Lonhro) was second while Ego’s Dare (Hussonet) was close-up in third. The overall time was a quick 1.08.69 with the last 600m covered in 33.63.
“He is pretty exciting. I did say to Liz and Terry before the race that by January or February next year I could be training only one horse to a degree,” McNair said. “When I say that, I will still be training the others but I will be hands-on with this guy 24/7.
“We said to Chris, ‘you know the track, you know the field, you have seen what this horse can do, there is no point in me telling you what to do: you ride your own race’.”
Hay List was transferred to McNair pretty much on the advice of Taylor, who had real problems with the gelding’s feet on the firm surfaces in West Australia.
“He has amazing acceleration this horse, that is his real feature, plus his high cruising speed,” McNair continued. “He is going to have two or three weeks off now and we are going to try and get his feet 100% and then he will probably have his next start in the Missile or in Melbourne.”
“He is unbelievable, I have been lucky enough to ride some good sprinters in my time and he is right there with them, don’t worry about that,” Munce said. “I just gave him a bit of a click up at the 500m and away he went, he just took off. They had no hope of running him down.”
“His best win, fantastic. To bring him all that way and put him through so much, a new trainer, opposite direction and he came out and blitzed the field like that – what a horse,” owner Liz Davenport said afterwards.
The 10th stakeswinner worldwide by Statue Of Liberty (USA), Hay List has won nine of his 11 starts and earned $376,125.
ANZ Bloodstock News – 27 June 2010

Hay List simply destroyed his rivals with a contemptuous display. Allowed to roll to the lead, Hay List was travelling strongly turning for home and when Chris Munce allowed him more rein, the big gelding simply strode clear under the minimum of urging to win easing up.
ANZ Bloodstock News Race Analysis – 27 June 2010

Hay List destroys rivals in WJ Healy Stakes
The John McNair-trained Hay List showed he could be the galloper to replace the great Takeover Target after a devastating win in the $175,000 Group Three Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Perth Racing.com – 27 June 2010

Hay List a new star of the turf
A new superstar of the Australian turf may have been unearthed following the explosive win by former Perth sprinter Hay List in the Group Three Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Jockey Chris Munce rated the four-year-old as potentially in the same class as his former Group One winners Spark Of Life and Dance Hero after he trounced Pinwheel by five lengths in Saturday’s 1200-metre feature.
“He’s some horse. I’ll go anywhere to ride him,” Munce said. “He could have won by seven or eight lengths easily.
“Spark Of Life and Dance Hero have proven themselves by winning at Group One level but this bloke has the potential to do the same.”
Glenn Davis AAP – 26 June 2010

Hay List something special
Gosford trainer John McNair was responsible for the understatement of the winter carnival yesterday when he declared his galloper Hay List as being “something special”.
Raced by fashion icon Liz Davenport, Hay List made short work of the time-honoured W J Healy Stakes (1200m) field, running a race record of 1min 8.7sec, which was only 0.6sec outside the 10-year-old course record.
In the end Hay List had five lengths to spare to Pinwheel, with a short half-head to Ego’s Dare in third place.
“The way he won, he would have been hard to beat in anything,” McNair said. “This horse is a bit special. I will be training all of my horses but this one will be a hands-on job.”
McNair said Hay List could really motor and keep going at the speed for a long way.
Mark Oberhardt Sunday Telegraph – 27 June 2010

We couldn’t have said it any better ourselves!

STATUE ON A ROLL

For all the hoop-la surrounding Hay List’s demolition of the Healy Stakes, he was far from being the only shot that Statue of Liberty has fired recently.
Following on from two hemisphere treble on 16 June and Verridon racking up his fourth win (along with seven placings) from 17 starts, Statue of Liberty also produced winners on both Friday and Saturday with Liberty’s Way capturing her second career victory in Queensland and fellow mare Queen of Liberty scoring in Italy.
Liberty’s Way is out of the Majuscule mare Lady’s Way, a stakes placed half sister to Champion mare Mannerism (dam of Group Two winner Dandify), while Queen of Liberty is linebred to Storm Bird through a son and daughter, being out of the Alleged mare Andkit, a daughter of the Storm Bird mare Chimes Bird.

ANOTHER SPIRITED PERFORMANCE

Is Audacious Spirit the best maiden in Australia?
When Bel Esprit 2YO, Audacious Spirit, made his debut on 24 April with a promising third over 1000m at Eagle Farm, Gillian Heinrich must have had a fair opinion of the run given that she entered the colt for the Ken Russell Stakes-LR at the Gold Coast a fortnight later.
Audacious Spirit duly ran fourth and was next sighted on 14 June when beaten a head at Doomben in the Dalrello Stakes-LR over 1200m.
Yesterday he was caught midfield with 400m to go but unleashed a devastating burst to finish just over a length from the winner in the Australia Post Stakes-LR.
So, four runs to date – all in the city – three at stakes level for a third, fourth, second and third.
Surely, he’s Audacious enough to win soon!
A three quarter brother in blood to Bel Esprit Group winner, Vivacious Spirit, Audacious Spirit is out of the Zeditave mare, Roskeel, was bred by Robert Harding and sold by Eliza Park to Heinrich Racing (at the 2009 Melbourne Premier) for $70,000.

SHE’S A PEACH

Peach Tree is well on her way to becoming Bel Esprit’s 10th stakes winners after easily defeating a smart lineup in the Westspeed 3YO Handicap over 1300m at Belmont yesterday (26 June).
The filly bombed the start and was some seven lengths off the pace turning for home, but speared through along the rails to score an impressive win.
Trainer Mark Reed said after the race: “That was probably her best win. She missed the start and hit the line brilliantly. She will head to the Belmont Oaks next week.”
Out of the Naturalism mare, Georgia and bred by Barree Stud in Victoria,
Peach Tree has now won three of 12 outings with another six placings and $113,000 in stakes.
Three starts back she was beaten a long neck at stakes level and the Belmont Oaks appears to be right up her alley.

BEDSIDE MANNERS

Susie’s husband has been slipping in and out of a coma for several months. Things looked grim by she was by his bedside night and day – one day as he slipped back into consciousness, he motioned for her to come close. She pulled the chair over and leaned close to be able to hear him:
“You know, he whispered,” his eyes filling with tears, “you have been with me through all the bad times. When I got fired, you stuck right by me. When my business went under, there you were. When we lost the house you were there. When I got shot, you stuck with me. When my health started failing, you were still by my side. And you know what?”
“What dear?” she asked gently.
“I think you’re bad luck!”

Saturday, June 26, 2010

DELAGO BROM: 4 WINNERS IN 2 DAYS

Whichever way you look at it, Delago Brom is one of the best value sires standing in Australia.
In the last two days the Encosta de Lago stallion has produced a double in Queensland with Neurotic Princess and Ombre and, yesterday, a two state double via Kinetics and Delago Dragon.
Kicking off with the win of Unpickable at Kranji on Sunday (his third victory in Singapore), Delago Brom (above) nearly notched up another double on Tuesday when Model Rules scored and Look Now ran a lip second at $51.
With no runners on Wednesday, he then plopped the double at Rockhampton on Thursday with Neurotic Princess (ex. Xaar mare Myxaar) and Ombre (ex. Redding mare A Scarlet Lady), followed by Kinetics (ex. Scenic mare Scenic Lil) scoring at Port Macquarie before Delago Dragon (ex. Regal Classic mare Bunyip Belle) finished off the working week with a win at Traralgon.
Delago Brom is having a super year … since January he has produced winners in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau and produced black type horses from every crop of racing age: first cropper, Ecstatic Macau (a Group winner in Macau and multiple Group One placed), Group placed 4YO De Fine Lago, the Group winning filly and Queensland Oaks-G1 placed Danaupair Starlet and the stakes winning 2YO Radha Rani.
And perhaps the pick of the bunch is the brilliant juvenile Condelago (below) who has won three on the trot since his debut in April and looks to be a real contender for spring honours.
You’ll often find terms like ‘bread and butter’ and ‘breed to race’ mentioned in relation to Delago Brom, but when you consider that his yearlings have sold up to $75,000 in 2010 and the horse stands at a fee of only $5,500, there’s no reason to believe he won’t make you a buck in the sale ring too.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

SHABAMALAM GOES SHAZAM!

Great effort by first starter, Shabamalam to score over 1020m at Doomben on Wednesday (23 June).
The Barry Baldwin trained 3YO was bred by Jonel Park Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd in Queensland and is out of the Ashkalani mare, White River.
Bel Esprit has obviously thrown quite a deal of speed into this filly as her dam, White River, won over 1900m and is a half sister to Brisbane Cup-G1 winner Sheer Kingston.
Brian Donohoe, Bel Esprit blog keeper, suggests that Shabamalam is named after a type of ‘salmon’, and extensive internet research is yet to prove him wrong.
It would make good sense given that the Shabamalam is out of White River and ‘red caviar’ comes from salmon.
Shabamalam might have a long way to go to catch up to Black Caviar, but winning in the city on debut is a good start!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

WRITTEN TYCOON – WHAT’S IN A NAME

Although the general public are at least four months off seeing the first crop of Written Tycoons in action, five of his progeny have been named and, as you’d imagine, there’s a couple of creative monikers among them.
The $85,000 colt from Grammy Award – part of the Eliza Park’s Melbourne Premier draft and the most expensive Written Tycoon sold to date – is called Tycoon Warrior and another lovely colt (ex Kassiyaka) will raced as Printed.
Couldn’t say with any accuracy as to where Tamban (ex Obsessed With Ella) springs from, but the two favourites are Hetty G (ex Lady of Loudoun) and Khashoggi (ex Purely).
Hetty Gee – we assume – is named after Hetty Green, the first businesswoman to make it big on Wall Street after kicking off as the family bookkeeper.

According to Wikipedia, Hetty was renowned for her ‘frugality’ … supposedly she never turned on the heat or used hot water and only changed her ‘Reg Grundys’ when they wore out.
She never washed her hands – to save on soap – and when her son broke his leg, Hetty tried to have him admitted to a hospital charity ward, storming out when recognised and determining to treat the injury herself. The leg became gangrenous and had to be amputated (leaving him with a cork prosthesis), but the kid got his own back eventually.
After she died at 81 – evidently due to apoplexy caused by a blue over the price of skimmed milk – the son quickly worked his way through the family fortune, purchasing – among other extravagances – a diamond-encrusted chamber pot.
Full marks to the filly’s new owners and let’s hope she wins enough money for all connections to afford their own chamber pots.

Same goes for the owners of Khashoggi – clearly named after the Turkish-Saudi Arabian arms dealer and business tycoon Adnan Khashoggi.
Implicated in the Iran-Contra and Lockheed bribery scandals, Khashoggi was considered richest man in the world in the 80s and was uncle of Princess Di’s last squeeze Dodi Al-Fayed.

SUPER LYLE

Eliza Park’s Asian representative, Lyle Plumb (left), has always had a keen eye for a horse – as the owner of 2010 Doncaster Handicap-G1 winner Rangirangdoo would readily testify.
And Lyle was at it again last Friday with promising Singapore sprinter, Super Velocity.
The Singapore Turf Club’s Michael Lee takes up the story:

An old partnership was reunited to successful results on Friday when debutant Super Velocity scored a gutsy win in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden-1 (2&3YO) race over 1400m.
The Amigo Stable were one of the first owners to join trainer Stephen Gray when he relocated from New Zealand to Kranji in 2000, but the car dealership partners had been too busy handling their business in the last 10 years to pursue their horse racing interests.
Until Gray bumped into them again and asked them if they were interested to buy a share of a new 2YO he had just bought from Lyle Plumb, purchased in Brisbane. They agreed and named him Super Velocity, presumably in reference to the speedy four-wheels that come out from their shops.
Gray however said that the now 3YO by Stromberg Carlson has more of a future in the staying caper than in sprints.
“I think he has a lovely future as a fast stayer here,” said Gray. “There was a 1200m race I wanted to start him in but I thought it might be too short for him.
“Tonight’s 1400m was perfect, though it’s always hard for any horse to win first-up over that distance.
“It’s been a long process getting him to where he is. He trialled good and behaved well with the blinkers in one of them when he ran second.
“Lyle told me to go over to Brisbane to have a look at him. He was trialling in one of those country tracks and he reminded me a lot of Imperial Green.
“There were a few more I bought there and Super Velocity was one of them. I’m glad he won for my very good old-time friends.”
Jockey Vlad Duric settled Super Velocity ($15) in third spot before taking it up the straight to sweep past Blue Condor (Danny Beasley) and score by just under two lengths.


Super Velocity (below) was originally destined to be sold at the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale as part of the Eliza Park consignment, but due to the travel restrictions enforced following the outbreak of EI, the horse was sold privately via Lyle Plumb.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

BUSHRANGER BOOKED

Exciting first season sire, Bushranger (below), has heralded his imminent arrival on Aussie shores with a sensational book of mares at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland.
Covering over 160 mares – virtually unheard of in the Emerald Isle for a debutant – Bushranger’s harem includes 22 dams of Group and Listed winners; 10 Group and Listed winners; 23 daughters of Group and Listed winners AND; 109 full or half sisters to Group and Listed winners.
Tally-Ho principal, Tony O’Callaghan, while obviously flattered by the response to his home-bred stallion, was somewhat staggered by both the quality and quantity.
“Clearly he (Bushranger) was going to be popular. After all, he was Champion 2YO in England and Champion 2YO in France, became a track record holder when capturing the Middle Park Stakes-G1 at Newmarket (beating Oasis Dream’s time) and won the Prix Morny-G1 in record time too.
However, we simply could not have hoped for a better book of mares to kick off with … we stood in his sire, Danetime, and he wasn’t afforded the same opportunity as Bushranger. And look what happened with Danetime (Champion UK First Season Sire)!
“Indeed, a number of the mares Bushranger has covered have produced successful progeny by Danetime, with their owners obviously hoping to capitalise on such a proven source.”
A cross section of the mares covered include half sisters to English and Irish Oaks winner Sariska, Rahfa (French Oaks), Ballingarry (Criterium Saint Cloud and Canadian International), Starborough (St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot), Airwave (Cheveley Park Stakes who was also beaten a half length by Choisir in the Golden Jubilee), Virtual (Lockinge Stakes), Ardross (dual Ascot Gold Cup winner), Braiswick (EP Taylor); daughters of Flamenco Wave (Moyglare Stud Stakes) and Pure Grain (Irish Oaks); plus the dams of Lennox Stakes winner Tariq and Look Busy (Temple Stakes).
Bushranger will stand his first season at Eliza Park at a fee of $11,000 (includes Live Foal Guarantee and no payment of service fee is required until 31 March 2011).

WRITTEN TYCOON: NEXT STOP, SPRING

Although 2010 is still less than six months old, it has certainly been a watershed year for Eliza Park.
The acquisition of three exciting new stallions – Wanted, Bushranger and Sharkbite – has married perfectly with a sales season that again raised the benchmark.
In January, Eliza Park sold yearlings in New Zealand for the first time (including $260k for a Fusaichi Pegasus and $180k for a Holy Roman Emperor) and, back on home turf, topped the gross at the Melbourne Premier, consigning the highest priced Bel Esprit, Canny Lad, Choisir, Commands, Magic Albert and Reset.
Importantly, Eliza Park’s overall clearance of 92% - from sales on the Gold Coast, Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne, Adelaide and Launceston – is a litmus test for both the stud’s preparation and preparedness to meet the market.
Perhaps the most telling aspect to emanate from 2010 sales however is the rise and rise of Written Tycoon (below).
Retiring to stud in 2007, Written Tycoon has covered 323 mares in his first three seasons at Eliza Park and the quality of his stock is such that he has garnered rave reviews from day one.
But the proof they say is in the eating, or in this case – buying – and when Written Tycoon’s first crop yearlings were presented at 2010 sales, they fielded four times service fee and sold up to $80,000. Not bad off an introductory fee of $8,250 ($6,600 in 2010).
Even more encouraging, they’ve ended up in top stables, with Written Tycoon sale yearlings finding new homes with Lee Freedman, Robbie Griffiths, Mike Moroney, Grahame Begg, Paul Perry, Lloyd Kennewell, David Payne, George Blacker and Mark Miniverni to name but a few, while quite a few were also knocked down to leading bloodstock agents, ensuring a future among the training elite.
Tellingly, Eliza Park’s head breaker, Darren Mackereth has had his hands full, breaking in around half a dozen Written Tycoons and he’s walked away with guarded confidence as to their future.
“They are all forward going types and, like him, should race as 2YOs (Written Tycoon won the Todman Slipper-G2 at two),” Darren points out. “The Grammy Award colt (sold to Graebar Park for $85,000 before being returned to Eliza Park for ‘education’) was certainly one to impress. I first saw this bloke as a foal and he’s done everything required of him. Definitely one to watch.”

CEO REPORT WITH CAMERON CROUCHER

I have been exceptionally pleased with Eliza Park’s yearling sales results in 2010 and our clearance rate at the six major yearling sales has been very close to 100%.
Our first go at selling yearlings in New Zealand proved to be very fruitful and we look forward to taking another draft across the Tasman in 2011.
I hope all of our clients that sold through Eliza Park were happy with their results and the service and communications along the way helped them enjoy the selling process.
In 2011 we will be expanding our drafts for the major sales of Easter, Magic Millions and New Zealand and look forward to starting the process of building our drafts as early as possible.
Now, as our focus changes to the upcoming breeding season, we are very proud of the stallion roster, including new additions in Wanted, Sharkbite and Bushranger, and bookings are steadily rolling in.
Eliza Park’s Racing Division continues to expand and we are seeing some excellent results on the racetrack from horses broken in and pre-trained at our Kerrie property.
For the first time we have been active in purchasing yearlings at the sales for the purpose of breaking in and educating these youngsters for the Ready to Run Sales, or the lucrative Asian market which we hope will be a profitable venture later in the year.
Within the next week, clients will be receiving a copy of our 2010 stallion brochure with details on all stallions, farm services, trading terms and personnel. Our team consists of some very experienced and competent staff, all charged with the common goal of delivering exceptional, first class standards to our clients.
Should any clients need assistance with their breeding and mating plans, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our bloodstock team and they will be only too happy to assist.

NEW STALLION MANAGER

One of Eliza Park’s favourite sons in David Grant (left) has returned to the fold, taking up the all-important role of the soon-to-be-very-busy Stallion Manager.
David previously worked at Eliza Park for four years – initially in the dual role as yearling manager and sales – before concentrating on stallion nominations for the his final two years with the stud.
A tremendous horseman who initially worked as foreman for his brother Michael (a leading trainer in Perth), David landed a job at the Irish National Stud where he worked in the foaling unit before becoming yearling manager.
It was during his time in Ireland that he met David Somers, who suggested he head home to Oz to play a role at Eliza Park.
Seeking a more hands on role, David was lured to Devon Park Stud as manager before subsequent stud managerial positions at Cromartry Park in Perth and at Emirates Park in Victoria.
Fortunately, Eliza Park was able to again secure David’s services for stallion services and he’s looking forward to a busy and rewarding season ahead: “With 11 stallions on board, there certainly won’t be much time for us to sit around and discuss the weather, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and have a really good team around me.
“Eliza Park clearly has the premier stallion line-up in Victoria and with the addition of horses like Wanted, Bushranger and Sharkbite to the ranks, I believe there are exciting times ahead.”

BREEDING ANALYSIS

Internationally recognised pedigree expert, Alan Porter – of Pedigree Consultants – has penned an in depth profile on each of Eliza Park’s 11 stallions for the 2010 season.
Authoring racing and breeding analyses for three decades (during which time he has planned matings for leading breeders throughout the world), Alan has contributed to leading thoroughbred publications throughout the world and written three books on racing, including Patterns of Greatness. Founder of Pedigree Consultants and, with Byron Rogers, co-developer and part owner of True Nicks, Alan has also consulted on breedings resulting in more than 100 stakes winners to date.
The following is an introduction to Eliza Park’s stallion analyses, while the individual profiles are available by visiting the relevant stallion pages – click here.

In writing the summaries for the Eliza Park Stud stallions, it was clear that a very interesting team has been assembled for 2010. It was particularly noticeable that the stallions offer plenty of options for mares from established Australian sire lines, and male lines and broodmare sires that represent more recent importations.
As one would expect, the Danehill line is well represented, including through a grade one winning son of that sire (Shinzig), through a Champion 2YO grandson (Bushranger) and through grade one winners by his two most outstanding Australian sire sons, Redoute’s Choice (God’s Own) – now fast emerging as a sire of sires – and Flying Spur (Magnus). This impressive array of Danehill line horses includes Wanted, grade one winning son of the horse that looks set to challenge Redoute’s Choice as Danehill’s heir, Fastnet Rock, and Sharkbite, a Redoute’s Choice son from an outstanding international family.
Encosta de Lago has been vying with Redoute’s Choice to establish himself as Australia’s leading sire and he’s represented at Eliza Park by Delago Brom, a grade one winner and graded stakes sire. From another branch of the Northern Dancer line, Royal Academy’s son, Bel Esprit, is a grade one sire, who is establishing himself as Australia’s leading Nijinsky II line sire.
The mighty Storm Cat is bred on very similar lines to Royal Academy, and it would be hard to find a better bred Storm Cat son than Statue of Liberty, who is half-brother to U.S. Champion and prolific graded stakes sire, Lemon Drop Kid, and out of a three-parts-sister to U.S. Horse of the Year and Champion Sire, A.P. Indy. He has established himself as an exciting young sire, and already has three stakes winners out of mares from the all-pervading Danzig line.
Another Eliza Park stallion that has proven his ability to get a graded winner when crossed over the Danzig line is Clangalang. He is from a uniquely Australian branch of the Mr. Prospector line, and with the unique AJC Derby (Gr. I) – Epsom Handicap (Gr. I) double to his credit, Clangalang must rank as one of the best Mr. Prospector line horses to have raced in Australia.
Last but certainly not least is, Written Tycoon, a Group Two winner of the Todman Stakes at two, whose sire Iglesia demonstrated a clear affinity with Star Kingdom line mares.

CLANGALANG IN TUNE

Clangalang is clearly one of the most underrated stallions in Australia and produces a steady stream of winners – week in and week out.
The nation’s leading third crop sire by winners to runners – ahead of Lonhro, Exceed and Excel, Reset and Hold That Tiger – Clangalang topped this year’s Tasmanian Yearling Sale with his Genuine Blonde colt selling for $80,000.
It comes as little surprise that the colt’s new owner is Paul Geard, who also bred/owns Clangalang’s 2010 Tasmanian Derby-G3 winner Geegees Blackflash (below).
Other Clangalang city winners in ’10 include Lakedro, Mistaken Grace, Reverberates, Prince Obama, Quid Pro Quo and Cruziero, while his only runner in Malaysia – Eagle – has now won three on the trot since the end of April.

TRUE NICKS – WEALTH OF CHOICE

The old days – or should we say nights – of poring over old volumes of the Australian Stud Book and other statistically-based tomes, are now a thing of the past.
The internet – and the immediacy of its access to a mountain of facts and figures – is now the weapon of choice for broodmare owners and Eliza Park is playing its part with a new addition to the ‘stable’ this season.
True Nicks now joins Tesio and G1 Stallion Match as valuable tools with which to assess the merits of a given pedigree and a True Nicks link accompanies each of Eliza Park’s stallions on our website.
Naturally, if you are seeking advice on matings, Eliza Park’s professional team of David Somers (0428 440 330), Mark Lindsay (0416 334 338) and Phil Marshall (0407 853 782) are all waiting by the ‘eau de cologne’.

FILLY’S DAY AT SEYMOUR

The innovative Seymour Racing Club will stage a Filly’s Day at the popular north eastern track on Thursday 17 June, designed specifically to promote women in racing and breeding. Hear, hear!
Our very own, Tracey Doolan (left) – along with administrator Kerry Gillespie and Holly Lodge’s Chris Nevill – will be interviewed by legendary racecaller and NewStar Racing’s Bryan Martin, the three sharing their thoughts on their roles in the industry.
Eliza Park is sponsoring a race and there is also a punters’ club and prizes for the best dressed. So frock up girls!
Cost is $40 which includes course entry, a racebook, two course meal and a glass of bubbly.
Colts – so we’re told – are welcome too …

Sunday, June 6, 2010

THE PHOENICIAN IS A PEACH

Peter Gelagotis’ 4YO, The Phoenician is poised to join a select club of Bel Esprits who have won over a distance after taking out the JP Slattery Handicap over 1711m at Sale today (6 June).
Only four Bel Esprit progeny have won over 1800m or longer – Superior Shadow, Spirit of Caplan, Bel Estar and Ring my Bel – and based on his performance at Sale, The Phoenician appears more than capable of winning more over longer trips.
While Peter didn’t have much luck with the Bel Esprit colt – Belgietto – at Flemington on Saturday after he missed the start, The Phoenician went some of the way to squaring the ledger on a heavy track at Sale: his second career victory.
The Phoenician is a sibling to four other winners (from as many to race) and his a full relation to the stakes placed WA sprinter, Peach Tree, who won two in town during March and April and went within a whisker of becoming Bel Esprit’s 10th stakeswinner when second in the Matchmaker-LR at Ascot.
Bred by Barree Stud and out of the Naturalism mare, Georgia (a half sister to Melbourne Group winner Painted Ocean), The Phoenician is part owned by Kevin Sheedy (above right).

CLANGALANG BANGS ANOTHER WIN

Darren Weir (right) always seems to find a good horse and, while Clang And Bang still has a way to go before reaching the top shelf, the 3YO colt definitely appears a promising type.
Stepping out in the Stateplan Business Finance Brokers Class 1 Handicap over 1400m at Ballarat today (6 June), Clang And Bang notched up his second win on the trot, scoring comfortably from favourite Dear Prudence.
Clang And Bang was successful over the same trip on 27 May and now has two wins and four placings from eight starts.
Bred by Riversdale Stud, Clang And Bang is by Clangalang out of the Greig mare, Musical Choice, in turn a granddaughter of Champion mare, Dual Choice.

DELAGO’S STARS

Delago Brom came agonisingly close to recording his first Australian Group One victory with the bold effort of Paddy Payne’s Danaupair Starlet (above) in the $400,000 Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks on Saturday (5 June) when the Otto Hoffelner owned and bred filly ran a solid third behind Miss Keepsake.
Danaupair Starlet had previously won the Sportingbet SA Fillies Classic-G3 at Morphettville in April after being stakes placed in Tasmania in February, so the fillies’ ‘constitution’ is quite something.
But while Danaupair Starlet (below) fell short, Delago Brom did piece together three wins in two days with Little Pablo scoring at Echuca on Friday, followed by a double to Condelago (Morphettville) and Ina de Lemma (Kilmore) on Saturday.
Trained by Allan Fitzgerald, Little Pablo is out of the Canny Lad mare Pansy and was making his debut at Echuca after trialling twice. Bred by Ballamara Park in NSW, Little Pablo is from the family of Breeders’ Cup Sprint-G1 winner Sheikh Albadou.
Meanwhile, the niftily named, Ina de Lemma (out of the Last Tycoon mare Tycoon Emma) recorded her debut victory at Kilmore in scoring a hard fought win over 1607m on a heavy track.
Bred by K Biggins, FE Sands and F Sands, Ina de Lemma is trained by Tom Hughes, whose father Tommy put the spit and polish on Delago Brom throughout his illustrious career.
However, the big news of the day – almost outweighing Danaupair Starlet’s performance in Brisbane – was the victory of Condelago at Morphettville.
This is some 2YO. Condelago has now raced on four occasions for three wins (on the trot) and seemed to do everything right this time around after finding trouble in running at his previous two outings.
Bred in South Australia by the Mittigas and Blythmans, Condelago was sold through Eliza Park’s Melbourne Premier draft for $50,000.
Out of the Kenny’s Best Pal mare, Concluding, Condelago (below) is a half brother to 4-time stakes winner Moment In Time and Clangalang’s city winner Quid Pro Quo and is closely related to Sandown Cup-G2 winner Conbituate Lady.
Keep your eye out for this bloke!

SATURDAY TREBLE FOR BEL

It’s been a busy few days for Bel Esprit progeny with Victoria’s Champion Sire notching up a ‘north end’ treble on Saturday (5 June) and a win on Friday at Echuca with Fifth Elephant.
Firstly to Echuca where Brian Donohoe asks the question what happened to the first four elephants after Fifth Elephant ran more like a gazelle than his namesake, taking out the Brandrick Architect Fillies & Mares Maiden Plate over 1000m by 5.5 lengths.
Out of the Danehill mare Conte Partiro, second starter Fifth Elephant was bred (and is owned) by CE Holt and trained by Peter Moody who also used to put the polish on the well bred San Mateo, out of the Lord Seymour mare, Zippast, dam of seven winners including 2YO stakes winner Firenza.
San Mateo, now in the hands of Shane Iverson, proved too nifty at the Queensland track of Tambo – around 864kms from Brisbane – winning at unbackable odds.
Meanwhile, some 3,378kms west of Tambo, Bel Esprit No. 2 led the way with an easy three length frolic at Broome.
Ibsen – by winning over 1100m in WA’s famous coastal port – notched up his fourth career victory, having raced successfully in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.
The most notable win on Saturday, however, was that of Aranda, who registered a terrific win for Stephen Gray in Singapore. Singapore Turf Club’s Craig Brennan takes up the story:
A multitude of gear changes paved the way for Aranda breaking back into winning form in the $55,000 Class 4 Div. 3 Stakes over 1400m at Kranji.
Following his last start on 7 May, trainer Stephen Gray elected to remove the blinkers, tongue tie and special bit from Aranda’s raceday gear.
Going to the front from the outset, Aranda (below), ridden by Vlad Duric, held on to score over Monterey with Santana third.
Following his last start fourth, Aranda was sent back to the barrier trials after playing up at the start and it was then that Gray decided to remove all the gelding’s gear.
“He can be a bit of a handful at the barriers, so we just took all the gear off,” said Gray. “He was nice and quiet and Vlad suggested we leave him without the gear again this time.
“He possibly should have won last time except for playing up at the start, but he was nice and relaxed in front today and hung on bravely for a good win.”
A 4YO Australian-bred, Aranda is by Bel Esprit from the Centro mare Orchid Lady and has now won three of his 15 starts for Northwest Racing, amassing around $125,000 in prizemoney.

FOUR STATUE WINNERS IN A DAY

Red letter day for Statue of Liberty (below) on 3 June with four winners from just five starters.
Following on from the victory of 2YO filly, Miss Liberty at Maisons-Laffitte on Wednesday – her second from three outings – Statue of Liberty was represented by just five runners on Thursday: two at Fountainbleu in France, two at Jagersro in Sweden and one at Tipperary in Ireland.
Ranging in distances from 1200m to 16 furlongs (3200m), both French runners – Acqualinda (from Montjeu mare Acqualina Beauty) and Blagueuse (from Wolfhound mare Bright Sky) – were successful, while his Swedish pair – Fast Feet (from the Langfuhr mare Landowska) and State of Freedom (Chief’s Crown mare Mazarine Blue) – ran first and second respectively.
The really interesting runner on the day though was the Irish horse, Steps To Freedom, a 4YO having his first start over 3200m, who duly won by six lengths, defeating a High Chaparral horse in Hired Hand.
Steps To Freedom is from the Sadler’s Wells mare Dhakhirah – an unraced half sister to 2000 Guineas-G1 winner King of Kings (who stood six seasons in Australia and produced Group One winners Ike’s Dream and King’s Chapel) and smart sprinter General Monash.

CLANGLANG – MONEY IN THE BANK

Clangalang 4YO, Soviet Banker, is building himself a tidy record out west with another handy performance at Northam on Thursday (3 June).
Stepping out over 1100m, Soviet Banker held on gamely for a third career victory from 14 outings and second win from his last three outings.
Bred by Goulburn Ovens TAFE, Soviet Banker is out of the Star Way mare, Kanava and is closely related to South Australian 2YO stakes winner Wolverton Mountain.
It was an interesting quinella with Soviet Banker edging out Philby in the shadows of the post.
Spy thriller buffs will remember the English MI6 agent, Kim Philby (above right), who famously defected to the Soviet Union.

MAGNUS’ MAGIC START

Magnus (below) is used to making a splash. The pre-eminent sprinting entire of his day, Magnus competed at the highest level throughout his career, notching up victories in the Galaxy and Age Classic (now Group One) and competing with distinction in Australia, the UK and Singapore.
Not surprisingly, when the bred-in-the-purple son of Flying Spur was retired to stud in 2008 he attracted a quality book of mares: the results of which first went on display at the Great Southern Weanling Sale at Oaklands Junction and again at the Gold Coast Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Nine of his weanlings were offered at the Great Southern and, selling up to $55,000, Magnus came away with the leading average for a first season sire.
Leading the way was the filly from Rory’s Jester mare Tendency, a half sister to Bel Esprit winner Belle Society, who was knocked down to Bulla Thoroughbreds for $55,000, while in the first hour of the sale, Belmont Bloodstock Agency snapped up another lovely Magnus filly – this one a half sister to Adelaide Cup winner Lacey Underall from the Bluebird mare, Flirted – for $42,500.
On the Coast, leading agent Paul Beamish picked up two Magnus colts: the first a half brother to two winners from a daughter of 5-time stakes winner Reno Belle ($40,000), while the classy chestnut out of the imported mare Miss Rangoon fetched $67,500.