GOD’S ANGEL

Very impressive performance by GOD’S OWN colt – Angelican – at Canterbury yesterday, passing his 1550m test with flying colours.
Bart Cummings certainly knows how to get the best out of God’s Own progeny (after all, he did train the sire to a Caulfield Guineas victory) and this bloke appears to have similar promise to stablemate and paternal sibling Swift Judgement.
As ANZ Bloodstock pointed out, Angelican “made no mistake here, travelling strongly all the way in the lead and then coming away in the straight, carrying topweight of 58 kilos and opposed by older horses”.
The daily went on to state: “Only lightly-raced, Angelican has improved at each of his four starts and he can win some more races this preparation based on his victory yesterday”.
Bred by Eliza Park and sold for $60,000 at the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions, Angelican is out of the Sir Tristram mare, Bektris, a sister to NZ Derby winner Popsy.
Interestingly, Angelican has a lovely three quarter brother – a first crop son of Shinzig – which is sales bound in 2011.

God's Own

BELECONI NOTCHES CITY WIN

The BEL ESPRIT train rolled through Adelaide yesterday with Beleconi posting a strong victory in the Clean SA Handicap (1525m) at Morphettville.
Under the guidance of Phillip Stokes, Beleconi has now put together three wins and a second from seven starts and the style of his win at Morphettville suggest there will be more city wins in store.
Beleconi is out of Diana Anceschi’s good mare Bocconi (by Snippets) and was sold at the 2008 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $85,000.

SEQUEL HAS HAPPY ENDING

Fine performance by BEL ESPRIT sprinter, Happy Sequel, who led them throughout to score comfortably over 1107m at Kilmore on Tuesday (21 December).
Prepared at Eliza Park by Group One winning trainer, Sue Ellis, Happy Sequel was having only his third start, having finished a bold third on debut over 1112m at Kyneton in October.
Bred and owned by Dawn Giltinan and Robyn Murtagh, Happy Sequel is out of the Prego mare, Star Sequel, a daughter of Flemington stakes placed Astro Franco and hailing from the family of 3-time Group One winner Avedon.
And keep your eye out for the 2YO full sister – Bright Sequel – who has recently been broken in at Eliza Park by Sue and her team.
The Sequel may well have a Sequel!

Bel Esprit actually produced a sequel at Kilmore with his progeny winning the first with Happy Sequel and the last with another 4YO mare in Shiago.
Also only lightly raced, this was Shiago’s second win from four outings and her first run for five months.
She shook the rust off pretty quickly though and won comfortably. From the Bellotto mare Dark Eyed Lady and bred by Eliza Park and L Dalton, the mare is closely related to multiple 2YO stakes winner Dangerous Seam, dam of black type pair Seidnazar and Real Jester.

BELGIETTO – FOUR IN A ROW

Peter Gelagotis’ outstanding miler, Belgietto, is poised to become BEL ESPRIT’s 11th stakes winner following another brilliant performance at Flemington on Saturday (18 December).
The lightly raced 4YO is on fire and the victory at headquarters was his fourth in a row and second on the trot at Flemington.
Never far out of the money, Belgietto has now raced on 13 occasions for five wins and three placings … indeed, he’s only returned home twice without a cheque and two of his city placings figured prominently in stewards’ reports.
Although held up behind a wall of horses on Saturday, Belgietto got the split and proved too strong in the run home … he’s certainly game!
Out of the stakes winning Sackford mare, Adagietto, Belgietto is a half brother to four winners including the stakes placed Radio Song and is closely related to Moonee Valley stakes winner Captiva and Hong Kong Group One winner Packing Winner.
It’s beyond me as to why you would call a horse Adagietto – the musical term for ‘very slow’ – but it didn’t exactly put the breaks on her and has hardly had an impact on Belgietto!

Sold through Eliza Park’s 2008 Magic Millions Horses in Training draft at the Gold Coast, Belgietto is raced by a syndicate which includes ‘Boss Hogg’ (for all you Dukes of Hazzard fans) and Manny Gelagotis.
A long time client of Eliza Park, Manny played professional soccer (six years with the Gippsland Falcons) and is the owner of Michaels Golden Hen Moe Café and Silks Restaurant on George, plus runs the Moe Racing Club Turfside Bistro & Function Centre.
Manny also operates GW Racing Bloodstock, a boutique thoroughbred agency with a “selective clientele which allows me to focus on quality rather than quantity”.
It’s certainly working with Belgietto …

Belgietto scores at Flemington. Photo courtesy of Slickpix

GO THE ROO

Testimony to their tractability, a number of the BEL ESPRITs appear to have the ability to back up following a tough run, as shown by Belgietto who won at Flemington in successive weeks.
The popular La Bella Roo was unable to win her second on the trot when runnerup at Moonee Valley on Friday night (17 December) following her victory at Caulfield on Wednesday (yep, two days earlier!) but she was a moral beaten.
Missing the jump and hampered badly, La Bella Roo raced at the tail of the field to the turn and then couldn’t buy a run in the straight. Yet, once she saw daylight the mare flew and missed out by a nostril with Steve Richards’ Bel Esprit mare, Bel Shoes, a neck away third.
At Caulfield, La Bella Roo raced wide without cover, but managed to down Belle Diva over the 1100m, giving Bel Esprit yet another city quinella.
La Bella Roo – owned by a syndicate of Kangaroo Flat (near Bendigo) Bowling Club members – has always shown her share of ability although her previous victories had been at Bendigo (twice) and Echuca (twice).
Out of the 4-time winning Manntari mare, La Trio, was bred in Queensland by Dick Karreman.

La Bella Roo snatches victory at Caulfield. Photo courtesy of Slickpix

GOD’S PARTICLE WINS AT KRANJI

GOD’S OWN recorded his second ‘overseas’ winner with the gutsy victory of Higgs Boson at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse on Friday night (17 December).
Trained by expat Victorian John Meagher, Higgs Boson (below) dived through late to get the prize: “we think he’s more of a miler and that is what we want to get him up to eventually. The last 50 metres he finished it off very well,” stable spokesman Daniel Meagher told reporters.
Higgs Boson is out of the Colonial Affair mare Aly’s Affair, in turn a half sister to Kentucky Group winner Aly’s Alley.
Bred by American businessman, Lindsey Williams, Higgs Boson is a half brother to two winners including the Group placed Atlas Valley.
Aly’s Affair is now owned by long time God’s Own supporter Darryl Laity who will sell a full brother to Higgs Boson to the 2011 Adelaide Magic Millions.


Meanwhile, Higgs Boson is a well thought out name but, unless you’re familiar around terms like massless photons, electromagnetism and composite spin particles, it’s also a tad cerebral.
Me, I’m about as familiar with physics as I am with psychics so the fact that the Higgs Boson is a hypothetical massive scalar elementary particle predicted to exist by the Standard Model of particle physics means very little to moi.
Furthermore, we’re told that if the Higgs Boson exists, it is an integral and pervasive component of the material world.
Well, that clears it up some given that Madonna tells us we’re living in a material world, but in reality, still none the wiser as to what happens if an electromagnet crosses a photon without being two lengths clear.
However, it seems that the Higgs Boson is often referred to as the ‘God particle’, hence the nifty moniker for the four legged namesake.

PLENTY OF SPIRIT

There is an old saying that “you don’t have to be dead to be stiff” and Audacious Spirit certainly fills the latter bill.
A very speedy colt trained by Gillian Heinrich (and sold out of Eliza Park’s 2009 Melbourne Premier draft), Audacious Spirit (BEL ESPRIT) was twice stakes placed in Queensland in June – running a head second in the Dalrello Stakes-LR at Doomben.
Resuming with a 6.5 length trial win at Doomben in early November, Audacious Spirit then outran a classy bunch over 1200m at Eagle Farm to score his maiden victory.
Unfortunately, he had to sit out two subsequent meetings he was entered for due to the inclement weather and was absolutely primed for the Gold Edition Stakes-LR at Doomben on Saturday (18 December).
However, on the way to the barrier, Audacious Spirit cast a plate and, having problems refitting it, the colt was eventually scratched.
Ah, the many travails of racing!
Bred by Robert Harding, Audacious Spirit is out of the Zeditave mare, Roskeel, a half sister to Bel Esprit’s Group winning filly Vivacious Spirit.
Bad luck aside, Audacious Spirit appears to have what it takes and it shouldn’t be long before he joins his close relative with black type writ large.

BIG MONTH FOR BEL

Following the ‘excess’ of Black Caviar in November, BEL ESPRIT has firmed his position in the ranks of Australia’s Top 10 stallions with a raft of winners throughout December.

• Esprit de Bullet (ex. Beat the Bullet by Bite the Bullet): scored at the Valley on 3 December – 5th victory from 9 starts
• Royal Steal (ex. Coming Up Roses by Rubiton): 2nd win from 3 starts when successful at Darwin on 4 December
• Le Bel Away (ex. Let’s Fly Away by King of Kings): winner at 2nd start on 6 December
• Vain Saint (ex. Egrette by Bletchingly): win No. 2 on 7 December for the NSW speedster
• Belgietto (ex. Adagietto by Sackford): successive wins at Flemington in 7 days
• Vetwrap (ex. Lacrimosa by O’Reilly): victory on 11 December now brings tally to win and placing from 3 outings
• Mystical Bel (ex. Mysterieux by Snaadee): now has 2 wins from 4 starts following trip to Sunshine Coast on 12 December
• La Bella Roo (ex. La Trio by Manntari): won at Caulfield on 15 December then ran whisker 2nd at Moonee Valley two days later
• Liffeybel (ex. Rhythmic Halo by Don’t Say Halo): scored at Moe on 17 December (2nd win and 5th placing from 19 outings)
• Bel Shandy (ex. Mrs Bently by Euclase): Notched up second career victory on Sunday (19 December)

 Bring on 2011!

SALES WATCH: WEST HO!

You simply can’t beat good timing and the success of WA gallopers Talent Show and Manahara last Wednesday (15 December) augurs well for 2011 yearling sales.
Neville Parnham’s classy 3YO colt, Manahara got the ball rolling with a gutsy win – as favourite – over 1400m, while later in the program, the highly favoured Talent Show proved too good for rivals over 1500m – keeping her unbeaten record intact.
Manahara – who earlier won at Bunbury and was fourth in the Canonbury Stakes-LR on debut as a 2YO, is out of the Gulch mare, Tuscan Sky, whose Exceed And Excel filly will play an integral role in Eliza Park’s Gold Coast Magic Millions draft on 15 January (Lot 592).
A winner at two who has now produced three winners from three to race, Tuscan Sky is hails from an outstanding North American family which includes Chief’s Crown and Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors.
Meanwhile, Talent Show was facing the starter for the fourth time at Ascot and is making a real name for herself in Perth with her blemish free record.
Out of the Melbourne Group winning mare Oregon Seal (by Oregon), Talent Show is a half sister to three winners (from as many to race) and was sold by Eliza Park to Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock Agency for $100,000 at the 2008 Melbourne Premier. Now, three years on, Eliza Park will be selling a Bel Esprit half brother at the 2011 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (Lot 168).
Given that both yearlings are by highly popular sires and out of mares that have produced winners with everything they’ve sent to the races, Eliza Park is bound to have plenty of visitors come sale time.

STATUE’S JUVENILE ANTICS

Despite gaining most of his renown down under via ‘mature’ sprinters such as Hay List and Mic Mac, STATUE OF LIBERTY is going gang busters in Europe this season with his 2YOs, including the French stakes winner Miss Liberty, plus recent winners such as Podgie’s Boy, Liberty Green and Uppercut Action.
Statue of Liberty was at it again on 12 December when Verrazano kicked a goal at Southwell in England, while later in the day, Red Roof (from the Night Shift mare Khyber Knight) added to her to sire’s substantial array of black type by running third in the Criterium di Pisa in Italy.

STATUE OF LIBERTY – GOING GLOBAL

Not surprisingly, STATUE OF LIBERTY hogs a lot of press via dynamic sprinters such Hay List and Mic Mac, the latter of whom will be chasing Group One glory in New Zealand this summer.
However, it’s not hard to see why the son of Storm Cat has such global appeal when you take into account his strike rate in the last 10 days.
Commencing the ‘roll’ with a double on 20 November through New Colossus (4YO gelding) at Mornington and Liberty Green (2YO filly) in England, Statue of Liberty followed up with Baggsy (3YO filly) in England on 21 November, Morna (3YO filly) in Italy on 22 November, a treble on 26 November – Ragazza Veloce (4YO mare) on the Sunshine Coast, Serva Padrona (3YO filly) in France and Podgie’s Boy (2YO colt) in England, a stakes win on 27 November with Golden Star (a previous Group One winner in Macau), a double on 28 November with Call For Liberty (5YO gelding) in Germany and Uppercut Action (2YO colt) in Sweden and, on Wednesday (1 December) another double with Liberty Trail (4YO gelding) and Custard Cream Kid (4YO gelding) in England.

ELIZA PARK ON THOROUGHBREDS

Eliza Park's Mark Lindsay was recently interviewed by TVN's Caroline Searcy for its popular Thoroughbreds show.

FLEMING BUSINESS

Tyreel Stud has been a powerhouse of Australian breeding for decades and Dean Fleming, son of founder Jim and brother to Eliza Park principal Lee, is carrying on the tradition. Recently, Sportsman’s Shayne ‘Arjuna’ O’Cass profiled the stud.

Australia is quite rightly blowing its trumpet with two major winners in Asia in consecutive weeks, namely Risky Business in Singapore and Rocket Man in Hong Kong last Sunday.
The man in the spotlight playing solo among the fanfare is none other than Dean Fleming, who bred both horses.
A son of the late Jim Fleming, Dean and his brother Lee have been highly successful breeders in their own right for years.
Dean is a boutique breeder par excellence, while Lee is at the helm of Eliza Park Stud in Victoria – home to 11 stallions, including Black Caviar’s sire, Bel Esprit.
”We’ve been doing quite well in Singapore now for the last four or five years, not only with Rocket Man and Risky Business, but Lim’s Fighter too won a Group One up there not long back,” Dean said.
”On top of that there are a number of other horses that are winning nice races, so we’re very happy.” The Flemings, particularly family patriarch Jim via his Tyreel Stud operation, opened up new avenues for the export of Australian horses while it was still a relatively new concept.
”A lot of our horses early on did go to Japan and Hong Kong and Singapore and they have performed very, very well up there,” says Dean.
”A long time ago we had Mr Vitality, we bred him, and he was a champion in Hong Kong.
”We also had Gaburin in Japan, who won a number of stakes races, and now we have Rocket Man, Risky Business and Lim’s Fighter, so we have got a pretty good track record up in Asia, which is fantastic.” Tyreel Stud has been the leading vendor by average at the prestigious Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for several years.
Their chances of another crown in 2011 rest on a superlative draft which boasts five yearlings by Redoute’s Choice and one each by More Than Ready and Flying Spur.
Among Tyreel’s consignment is a handsome Flying Spur colt out of former dual Group One winner Republic Lass and the first foal (a Redoute’s Choice colt) out of the multiple Group One performer Just Dancing.
”We have always put every effort into breeding the best horses and no stone is left unturned,” Dean said.
”We are continually trying to improve what we do every year to see if we can make them better and that’s what we are supposed to be doing – we are supposed to be growing horses that can race.
”We’ve got a nice draft and we’re looking forward to the sale.”

TYREEL STUD HONOUR ROLL

• Bint Marscay
• Rocket Man
• Our Giant
• Prima Nova
• Filante
• Republic Lass
• Stella Cadente
• King Of Danes
• Kenny’s Best Pal
• Hidden Dragon
• Danehill Express
• Just Dancing
• Sky Watch
• Rose O’War
• Tahni Girl
• Lim’s Fighter
• Risky Business (below)

STATUE OF LIBERTY STARS

STATUE OF LIBERTY flyer, Golden Star, recorded yet another black type victory in Macau on Saturday, taking out the Sand Premier Cup-G3 over 1300m at Taipa.
Bred in South Australia, Golden Star – originally named In The Crown – has now won 10 in Macau (including the Chairman’s Challenge Cup-G1).
Golden Star (below) is out of the Snaadee mare, Anley, closely related to Sydney Group winning sprinter Friday Creek.

SUPER SATURDAY – BEL TREBLE

Double on Friday, Triple Treat on Saturday …
After recording his fifth double for the month of November on Friday night, BEL ESPRIT produced a three peat on Saturday when Audacious Spirit won at Eagle Farm in Queensland, Belle Diva scored at Morphettville in South Australia and Stellesprit tripped to the winners’ circle at Corowa in NSW.
For Audacious Spirit, the Eagle Farm score was much deserved and he can finally drop his tag of ‘best maiden’. Only lightly raced, Audacious Spirit has started on five occasions and never finished out of the money with his last three outings producing a fourth, a second and a third – all at Listed level as a 2YO.
Having his first start back in five months, Audacious Spirit never looked like getting beaten at the Farm and it was sweet justice for Gillian Heinrich who purchased the colt from Eliza Park’s 2009 Melbourne Premier draft for $70,000.
Audacious Spirit was bred by Rob Harding and is out of the Zeditave mare, Roskeel.
Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer was also very impressed with the win of his 4YO mare Belle Diva who scored by a length over 1000m at Morphettville. This was the second win on the trot for Belle Diva who won easily at Wangaratta on 12 November in her first run back from a spell.
Bred in South Australia by Flower Hill Stud, Belle Diva hails from the Star Watch mare Manly Belle.
Meanwhile, Stellesprit fought every inch of the way to record his second win at Corowa, having earlier won over the course and distance last year after missing the kick by six lengths!
This time around Stellesprit jumped from 12 and was carrying 59.5kgs, but still managed to get up by a length.
Also bred in South Australia – by the Bromley family – Stellesprit is out of the Brondesbury mare Stella Matutina.

Bel Esprit - another double

MOSHE – THE NEW BLACK?

How exciting? Flashy sprinter Moshe (above) – syndicated by Roy Higgins & Wylie Dalziel Racing and trained by the Hawkes – captured his second win from as many starts at Moonee Valley on Friday night and appears to be something right out of the box.
The full brother to Black Caviar led throughout at the Valley, following up on his all-the-way score on debut at Bendigo on 11 November.
“He's just a big kid,” said Wayne Hawkes post race. “He did a good job. The other horse was coming but Dwayne (Dunn) gave him a couple and he really put his ears back.”
Moshe has been given time to mature and the Hawkes team are happy to take the BEL ESPRIT colt along steadily and will let the dust settle before making further plans.
Moshe’s ‘rise’ has been a terrific boost for his owners – including a number of first timers. Since the colt was purchased as a yearling from the 2009 Melbourne Premier, connections have watched closely as Black Caviar has piled on eight straight victories, including the Patinack Classic-G1 on the last day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Moshe's connections 'collect' at Moonee Valley

Moshe’s victory provided Bel Esprit with yet another daily double after Winsum Lad stormed home to capture the Uranquinty Hotel Handicap over 1200m at Wagga.
Bred by Edgecombe Holdings Pty Ltd, Winsum Lad is out of the Umatilla mare, Thunderstick and is linebred to Nijinsky through a son and a daughter. Sold by Eliza Park at the 2009 Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sale, Winsum Lad is out of a half sister to Group Two winner Berberia and hails from the family of How Proud, Ascorbic, Lemon Sorbet and co.
Interestingly, for those into nicks and crosses, Winsum Lad is the fourth Bel Esprit winner (from as many to race) out of a Umatilla mare.

All up, Bel Esprit had three runners at Moonee Valley on Friday night and each of them brought home a cheque: Moshe won, while Oregon Spirit and Bon Marche both finished second in their events.

REIS GOES (IRISH) NATIONAL

Reis Fleming is poised to forego summer togs in favour of thermal underwear by heading to Ireland in January.
The son of Eliza Park principal Lee Fleming, Reis will undertake an equine diploma course at the Irish National Stud after his current stint in the stallion barn finishes in December.
Having worked in every facet of farm life (“except foaling”), Reis has had his hands full with a very busy 11-stallion roster this spring, but is looking forward to the new challenge.
“I start at the Irish National Stud on 31 January and the course runs through until July,” 21 year old Reis explained. “I’ve been lucky enough to experience nearly all aspects of stud operations, but this is a wonderful opportunity to enhance my skill base and look at breeding from a more global perspective.”

STATUE QUARTET

Big day out on Friday for STATUE OF LIBERTY progeny with four winners: two in England, one in France and one on the Sunshine Coast.
Stewart Mackinnon’s 4YO mare Ragazza Veloce (from the Danehill Dancer mare Winning Team) notched up her second win (and sixth cheque) from nine outings when successful over the 1000m at the Sunshine Coast track, while north of the equator, exciting 2YO What About You (from the Dansili mare Why Now) made all the running and demolished his opposition to score by five panels at Wolverhampton.
Another of Statue of Liberty’s 2YOs in Podgies Boy wasn’t quite as dominant when winning his assignment at Lingfield, but has now won his past two outings and appears to have a smart future. Podgies Boy is out of the Lake Coniston mare Lake Victoria.
Last, but certainly not least, was the French 3YO filly, Serva Padrona who found plenty on the line to win at Bordeaux le Bouscat. Serva Padrona is out of the Persian Bold mare Semiramide (who is named after the opera by Rossini).

PRESTIGIOUS EFFORT

WRITTEN TYCOON has gotten off to a flying start with the few 2YOs which have appeared thus far, but none more impressive than the Kiwi filly Prestigious Miss.
Bred by Eliza Park and out of the Honor Grades mare Mathematical, Prestigious Miss was very impressive in her recent trial at Cambridge.
Have a look for yourself …

BEL ESPRIT UPDATES

There’s a bit happening according to BEL ESPRIT blogmeister, Brian Donohoe.

• Firstly, congratulations to Slade Bloodstock – the most successful owners of Bel Esprit progeny with 14 wins via Belcentra, Tassology, Seasonality, Mooring and, on Saturday, Waltzes who notched up his sixth career win at Moonee Valley in the TAB iPhone App Handicap over 1000m. Other successful Bel Esprit owners include Kevin Sheedy (12), Colin Madden and Neil Werrett who have the distinction of racing both Bel Esprit Group One winners (Black Caviar and Bel Mer) equal to Sheedy on 12, Simon Hearnden-Hunter, Peter and Brian Donohoe and Peter Harrington all with 10. Bred by LD Rhodes and W Calendar, Waltzes is out of the Picnicker mare, Dance The Music and notched up his second win on the trot at the Valley.
• Bel Esprit actually supplied another double on Saturday when the David Hayes-trained Sorbba rocketed home to score by two at Kilmore. Sold by Eliza Park at the 2009 Adelaide Magic Millions, Sorbba was bred by Pinnacle Thoroughbreds and is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Absorb, who hails from the famous Sovereign Red family.
• True Persuasion, runnerup to Hay List in the Group One Manikato Stakes, had an undeniable chance in Saturday’s Winterbottom Stakes-G2 at Ascot but will now be scratched as he was unable to board a flight to Perth this week. As a consequence, the focus now shifts to the exciting youngster Moshe – a full brother to Black Caviar – who will race in the Mayoral Charity Community Plate over 1000m at Moonee Valley tomorrow night. Stepping out for the first time on 11 November, Moshe (below) won by six lengths at Bendigo and the Hawkes camp clearly have a high opinion of the colt.

WIN WAS MAV-ELLOUS

CLANGALANG sprinter Mavross is clearly a horse on the move following his second win on the trot last Sunday.
Trained by David Jolly, Mavross was slow to jump at Strathalbyn but raced away to score by a panel over the 1200m, producing a second victory in November after winning over the same distance at Morphettville.
Bred by Eliza Park, Mavross has now strung together an impressive two wins, a second and five thirds from eight outings.
Mavross is out of the Roi Danzig mare, Heroic Dance, a half sister to Group Two runnerup Shimmering.
Meanwhile, another Clangalang 4YO in Eagle added some black type with a solid third in the Malaysian Group One Coronation Cup at Perak on Sunday night.
Bred in Tasmania by Jenny Watson, Eagle is out of the Casual Lies mare Unbeatable and hails from an outstanding Kiwi family.

BRAVE WIN

Terrific to see GOD’S OWN filly, Kuroda Field, salute at Mornington last Saturday for owner Brian Bloom and his wife Felice.
The filly had shown a ton of pace with three consecutive placings this campaign and finally broke through for a well deserved victory over 1000m.
This David Hayes trained galloper is from the King Marauding city winning mare Tycoon Princess, closely related to Group Two winning 3YO Courvoisier and from the family of Champion mare Indian Skimmer.
Kuroda Field got her name from the Hawaiian memorial to US Army Sergeant Robert Kuroda who was, posthumously, awarded a Medal of Honour in World War II after single-handedly attacking two enemy machine gun emplacements in France.
In a rather more romantic twist, Kuroda Field was where Brian Bloom proposed to his wife Felice, before purchasing the God’s Own filly as a wedding gift when they married in April last year.

DAVID’S WAVE OF SUCCESS

With 11 popular sires to contend with this spring, Eliza Park’s stallion manager – David Grant – has been busier than a one-armed bricklayer in Baghdad.
However, David (left) has managed to watch the family-owned mare, Delta Gee, go through her paces this spring, including a brilliant second in the Group Three Tesio at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day.
Trained by David’s brother, Michael, Delta Gee has now won four (and placed in seven) for $240,955 in stakes, with career highlights including a stakes win in Perth and a Group second at Flemington in the autumn.
Now David and his family has the distinction of breeding the third highest priced DELAGO BROM to go through a sale ring when the flashy 2YO from stakes winning Blackfriars mare Wave Rock – a half sister to Delta Gee – was knocked down for $NZ180,000 at last week’s New Zealand Ready To Run Sale at Karaka.
It’s certainly been a big couple of weeks for Delago Brom with three stakes performers on Sandown Cup day (including a fourth to classy 2YO Miss Zoom in the Merson Cooper-LR) and winners on Friday (De Lady Royale) and Saturday (Copy Rites).
De Lady Royale (bred by Springhill Park Stud, Ashley Adsett, Brian Sargent, Tony Parsons, Ken McDonald and Alan Trewartha) is out of the County mare County Royale, a half sister to Blue Diamond Prelude-G3 winner St Rory. The lightly raced mare was having only her third start at Stawell for Darren Weir (running earlier seconds at Ballarat and Terang).
Similarly, the year younger Copy Rites is only lightly raced, racing for the second time at Pakenham having earlier finished a close up third at Pakenham.
Bred and raced by the Nicholls, Copy Rites is out of the Scenic mare Scenic Lil, a multiple winning half sister to Brisbane stakes winner Motspur.
Copy Rites is also a full sister to 3-time winner Kinetics who scored in NSW in September.

Delago Brom

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

The stakes action swings across the Nullabor on Saturday, but there’s still plenty of money to be had at Moonee Valley with the progeny of Bel Esprit, Clangalang, God’s Own and Statue of Liberty all having decent chances of success.
In fact, in what would be the main race of the day – the TAB iPhone App Handicap – BEL ESPRIT has three live chances, while STATUE OF LIBERTY’s Solchow will be chasing his seventh win overall and second win at the track.
Bel Esprit – with Flemington stakes winner Silver Bullion, 5-time winner Waltzes and the highly promising, but hugely unlucky Esprit de Bullet (4 wins from 8 starts) – has three lining up against Solchow.
Bel Esprit continues to go from strength to strength and, according to Bel Esprit Winners Club’s Brian Donohoe – the Champion Victorian Sire recorded his 14th treble last Friday (Illogical, Belle Diva and Thief in the Nite who notched up his eighth win in the Philippines). It could easily have been five winners on the day with both Ripa Artois and Belcino running terrific seconds at Moonee Valley.
On Sunday, Bel Esprit also produced a winner – Lagobelle – in WA and, on Wednesday, yet another two state double with Belgietto and Beleconi.
Bel Esprit’s other runners at Moonee Valley on Saturday include last season’s stakes winning 2YO, Strike the Tiger and smart filly Crystal Castles, resuming after a win at Bendigo and fourth at Flemington and she looks a likely type having posted two trial victories in recent weeks.
CLANGALANG miler, Lakedro, has again been in solid form this spring with a second in the Sale Cup followed by a fighting sixth at Flemington on Oaks Day and could easily add to his tally at the Valley.
And, whatever you do, keep Lady Pania safe in www.mvrc.net.au Handicap … the GOD’S OWN filly won solidly on debut at Bendigo in October and is a much better horse than her fifth over 1000m here last Friday night.

BEL ESPRIT

• Crystal Castles (ex. Largo by Encosta de Lago). Breeder: JR Matthews
• Esprit de Bullet (ex. Beat the Bullet by Bite the Bullet). Breeder: Tori Park Stud
• Silver Bullion (ex. Silver Barbie by Desert King). Breeder: VV Tu
• Strike the Tiger (ex. Bonnie Lassy by Straight Strike). Breeder: VV Tu
• Waltzes (ex. Dance the Music by Picnicker). Breeder: LD Rhodes, W Calendar

CLANGALANG

• Lakedro (ex. Enchanting Style by Nassipour). Breeder: DH Rose

GOD’S OWN

• Lady Pania (ex. Tannadice Park by Rory’s Jester). Breeder: Rick Smith Bloodstock

STATUE OF LIBERTY

• Solchow (ex. Triple Solchow by Citidancer). Breeder: Limerick Lane Thoroughbreds

Outstanding Bel Esprit sprinter Esprit de Bullet

ON THIS DAY

Today – 19 November – is International Men’s Day … we hope all you males out there feel suitably empowered for the next 14 hours or so because it’s back to mowing the lawns and doing as you’re told tomorrow! Christoper Columbus also discovered Puerto Rico on this day in 1493 (birthplace of Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero). And finally, it’s also World Toilet Day, which is a little surprising given that it’s something most of us would use every day.
This was the day that Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address (1863), Bonnie and Clyde (below) robbed their first bank (1930), Pele scored his 1000th goal (1969), Anwar Sadat became the first Arab leader to visit Israel (1977), Milli Vanilli were stripped of their Grammy for lip syncing (1990) and the US House of Representatives began impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton over the Lewinsky affair … anyone for a cigar?
If you’re having a birthday today you share it with Indira Ghandi (1917), Larry King (1933), Calvin Klein (1942) and Jodie Foster (1961).

SO THEY SAY ...

Murray Baker is – and has been for some time – one of New Zealand’s leading trainers and enjoyed his most successful spring carnival to date with Lion Tamer winning the VRC Derby and Harris Tweed running second in the Caulfield Cup.
But Murray is also a ‘seller’ of note and many a trainer has benefited from Baker’s groundwork.

“Whenever owners ask me if he should sell a horse, I ask them if they want a chequebook or a scrapbook?”

FRIDAY FUNNIES

We’re not about to get into an argument about who brews the best beer, but when it comes to marketing, American company Budweiser wins by the length of the Flemington straight.Often using horses in their advertising, the following caught the eye of subscriber Phil Hayworth, who passed on the following …



Have a great weekend!

WANTED – ON TOP AGAIN

WANTED was arguably the most exciting stallion to enter stud in Australia in 2010 and, according to Eliza Park’s Stallion Manager, David Grant, the Newmarket Handicap has taken to his new career like the proverbial duck to water.
“We couldn’t be happier with the way Wanted goes about his work,” Grant points out. “In fact, he has a tremendous strike rate and libido.
“Often when you get a stallion entering the serving barn for the first few times they’re very wary, but from day one Wanted looked like he owned the place.
“He’s a very sensible horse and super confident … professional in everything he does: just like he was on the racetrack.”

WRITTEN TYCOON’S KIWI PRESTIGE

The thoroughbred industry is all about timing and when it comes to WRITTEN TYCOON, he is clearly the sire of the moment … particularly across the Tasman.
Currently in the midst of covering 200 plus mares – his largest book to date – Written Tycoon was represented by a 2YO trial winner at Cambridge last week when Prestigious Miss rocketed home to win her trial for leading trainer Roger James.
Bred by Eliza Park and sold to Paul Willetts at the 2009 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, Prestigious Miss not only ran the fastest 2YO trial of the day (45.70 seconds) – she ran the fastest 800m trial throughout the entire program.
Out of the Honor Grades mare Mathematical (who also has a SHINZIG yearling and is in foal to MAGNUS), Prestigious Miss is also a half sister to the multiple New Zealand Group placed Cassini.
Not surprisingly then that there was considerable interest surrounding the lone Written Tycoon (below) entry at this week’s Ready To Run Sale at Karaka, with the colt from Star Kingdom line mare Alcestis knocked down to the Macau Jockey Club for $NZ150,000 – some 18 times service fee!
Out of a solid black type family, it should be noted that Written Tycoon’s sire enjoyed tremendous success with Star Kingdom line mares … a point that certainly would not have been lost on his astute buyers.

TYREEL’S RISKY BUSINESS

Dean Fleming’s Tyreel Stud has continued its tremendous run of success in Singapore by breeding Risky Business, the winner of the 2010 Longines Singapore Gold Cup at Kranji racecourse on Sunday (14 November).
Dean – brother of Eliza Park principal Lee Fleming – is also the breeder of Singapore Champion Rocket Man, who is now in Hong Kong for a tilt at the Hong Kong International on 12 December.

Breednet’s Tara Madgwick takes up the story.

Dean Fleming’s Tyreel Stud is no stranger to success in Singapore having bred and sold the champion Singapore based sprinter Rocket Man and the stud is also responsible for the horse who ended the unbeaten run of crowd favourite Better Than Ever in the Singapore Gold Cup on Sunday night.
Risky Business (below) capped a magical season for Singapore’s champion trainer Steven Burridge when he captured the S$1.35 million event.
Risky Business turned in a career best performance as he upstaged the previously unbeaten Better Than Ever and a cracking line up of rivals to win brilliantly.
The six-year-old gelding, a $90,000 purchase from the draft of Tyreel Thoroughbred Stud at the 2006 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, cruised home to win by two and a quarter lengths.
Star Melbourne based jockey Glen Boss flew in especially for the ride and gave one of the biggest salutes ever seen at Kranji - in the process copping a $500 fine.
“This is just the icing on the cake for what has been a great season,” a delighted Burridge said.
“I also have to thank son Wade. He does a lot of work finding suitable horses to bring up here and without his help we wouldn’t be where we are at now.”
It was Wade who contacted Boss to ride Risky Business after the gelding’s victory over 2000 metres on October 17.
“After his win two starts back I thought he had enough points to get into the race,” Burridge noted.
Boss said winning the Singapore Gold Cup gave him a great deal of satisfaction having known Wade and the Burridge family for many years.
“To win the Gold Cup is just fantastic, especially for Steven and the team who have been having a terrific run throughout this season.”
“It is also exciting to win a feature race when you travel to ride in big races,” Boss said.
Risky Business kicked away his racing career in Adelaide (as To Arms) with Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes where he raced twice for two placings on metro tracks.
Shortly after he was transferred to Singapore where he kicked away in style with a win on debut in late 2007.
Risky Business was bred by Tyreel Stud and is a three quarter brother to fellow Singapore star Lim’s Fighter - a winner of 11 races and over $1.19 million.
They are both from the Group Two Grand Prix Stakes winner Sky Watch - a winner of six races including two other stakes events in Sydney.
Sky Watch parted company from Tyreel Stud when onsold for $60,000 in 2008 and is now in Victoria with Dean Fleming’s brother Lee at Eliza Park where she produced a colt this spring by GOD’S OWN.

VALE KURT STERN

Eliza Park was saddened to hear of the death of Bel Esprit shareholder, Kurt Stern (left), who passed away last Friday (12 November).
Fellow Bel Esprit part-owner and friend, Brian Donohoe, paid tribute to Kurt on the Bel Esprit Winners Club blog:
Kurt was one of the original owners of Bel Esprit and John Symons trained the horse on the property that Kurt built: Macedon Lodge in the Macedon Ranges.
One of Kurt’s finest moments was when he led Bel Esprit back to the saddling enclosure after winning the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Kurt was an avid reader of the Bel Esprit Winners Club and loved to know about  all the Bel Esprit progeny running around.
A successful businessman, Kurt owned Neat ‘n’ Trim Uniforms before he took a run down property that ran a few head of cattle, into an outstanding training establishment in the Macedon Ranges. Lloyd Williams now trains his horses on the property.

MAKING WAVES

Like this one from Magic Millions’ Michelle Page who has always had a keen eye for detail …
It’s probably fair to assume that most of us have used Google Maps at one time or another (and still managed to get lost!), but despite the wonders of modern day technology, you might want to consider an alternative route if you’re seeking their directions from Japan to China.
Now, although there doesn’t appear to be a hitch with the first 42 sets of instructions (not that I can read Japanese … or maybe it’s Chinese?), No. 43 might present a problem for all but the most intrepid traveler.
Right after heading 1.4kms down the 350, Google suggests you Jetski across the Pacific Ocean! 782kms.

SPURRING ON MAGNUS

In a comprehensive feature on Champion Sire, Flying Spur, industry pundit Brian Russell, pays plenty of lip service to Eliza Park stallion MAGNUS, whose first yearlings appear at major 2011 sales.

Following is an extract from Brian Russell’s treatise:
Two offspring of Flying Spur who have performed well in high level sprints in England have been the Australian bred, owned and trained Magnus, third in 2007 at the Royal Ascot meeting in the King’s Stand Stakes-G2 and the mare Alverta, the third placegetter in 2010 in what is arguably England’s leading sprint, the Newmarket July Cup.
Magnus shares with Casino Prince the distinction of being the best male racehorse by Flying Spur available to establish the dynasty as a big force. Both have been provided with very good opportunity with their first books and both are likely to have good representation at 2011 yearling sales, starting with the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast in January. It will not be surprising if both have contenders in 2012 renewals of the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond Stakes.
Magnus is another leading sprinter from Australia to beat some of the best of Europe on a visit to England. In 2007 he finished third – a neck off second – at Royal Ascot in the 20-runner Kings Stand Stakes (then Group 2 but now Group 1) won by Miss Andretti and in which Takeover Target was fourth.
The Magnus effort came fresh from a big autumn in Australia, a campaign that included a win in the Galaxy-G1 at Warwick Farm, a second in the VRC Lightning Stakes-G1, a third in the MRC Oakleigh Plate-G1 and fourth in the VRC Newmarket-G1. He lost by only a fraction over a half length in the Oakleigh Plate and the Newmarket, a race which produced a spectacular finish, Miss Andretti setting new track record time in beating runner up Gold Edition by a head.
A year later Magnus backed up in the autumn and consolidated his eminence as a leading sprinter with seconds behind Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler in the MRC Oakleigh Plate and VRC Newmarket (margins 0.8 lengths and 2.3 lengths) and fourths in the AJC Galaxy and T.J. Smith Stakes-G1. A visit to Singapore resulted in a half length second to Takeover Target in the International Sprint-Gr1.
The attraction of Magnus has been boosted by the sensational sprinting performances of his close relation Black Caviar, a four-year-old mare who was unbeaten in her eight starts to early November. She is by another Eliza Park sire in Bel Esprit (Royal Academy (USA) – Bespoken, by Vain) and from the Desert Sun (GB) mare Helsinge, a half-sister to Magnus, both being from the brilliantly bred and performed Scandinavia (Snippets – Song of Norway, by Vain).
Scandinavia won four races, including the QTC Cup-G2 (1200m) and MRC Blue Diamond Preview-G3, finished second in the VRC Victoria Racing Club Stakes-G1 and SAJC Goodwood Handicap-G1 and third in the VRC Lightning Stakes-G1 and Newmarket Handicap-G1 (won by General Nediym).
The high horse tech management at Eliza Park are excited about the prospects of Magnus (below) as a sire. His first crop yearlings include progeny of mares by Encosta de Lago, Danehill (USA), Rory’s Jester, Grand Lodge (USA), Fantastic Light (USA), Anabaa (USA), Snippets, Dehere (USA), Kenmare (FR), At Talaq (USA), Octagonal, General Nediym, Zabeel, Real Quiet (USA), Sir Tristram (IRE), Scenic (IRE), Redoute’s Choice, Royal Academy (USA), Giant’s Causeway (USA), Marauding (USA), Yeats (USA), Danzero, Hennessy (USA), Star Way (GB), Thunder Gulch (USA) and Yeats (USA).

SPINE-TINGLING

Sky Channel’s Tony Brassel is one of the most astute judges in the business and has viewed, studied and dissected every decent racehorse to pound terra firma since the early 70s.
So, it was interesting to see Tony’s take on BEL ESPRIT flyer, Black Caviar, in Sydney’s Sun-Herald following the Patinack Classic-G1.

“A spine-tingling, nitro-fuelled demonstration of speed.”

BLACK CAVIAR BROTHER WINS BY 6

It appears that BEL ESPRIT flyer Black Caviar can’t stay out of the news – albeit vicariously!
Following on from the unbeaten mare’s super performance in last Saturday’s Patinack Farm Classic-G1 at Flemington – winning by four lengths – her little brother, Moshe, spreadeagled his opposition on debut to score by six panels over 1000m at Bendigo.
Trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, this VERY promising 3YO colt is raced by legendary jockey Roy Higgins and master syndicator Wylie Dalziel.
Despite racing greenly, Moshe stopped the clock at 56.95 seconds - just 0.9 seconds outside the track record which has stood since 1999.
Moshe’s got a long way to go to catch up to his sister but you can’t argue that it’s a pretty good start!

According to Wylie – who appears to have picked up a bargain basement with his colt costing just $75,000 at last year’s Melbourne Premier – Moshe is Hebrew for ‘strong warrior’ and is named after the father of one of the part owners.
(Moshe Dayan was also the famous Israeli military leader who rose to prominence in the late 60s when heading up his country’s defence during the 6-day war … remember the eye patch?)



Meanwhile, in other Black Caviar news, Breednet reports that the owners of the Champion mare knocked back on offer of $5 million this week from leading bloodstock agent, Grant Pritchard-Gordon, on behalf of leading owner Paul Makin.
Does sound like a lot of money, but even if Black Caviar never raced again, it’s difficult to imagine what her first foal would make as a yearling given that her own dam, Helsinge, is a daughter of Scandinavia (also dam of Group One winner Magnus and multiple Group winner Wilander) and that Helsinge has now only had two to the races for two winners.

Moshe scores by 6 at Bendigo. Photo courtesy of Slickpix

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

The Melbourne Cup carnival has run its race, but the action is far from over with the rich Sandown meet on Saturday featuring a number of ‘Eliza’ runners by Delago Brom, Bel Esprit, Clangalang and God’s Own.
Most prominent among them is the progeny of DELAGO BROM who are having a dip at three black type events: Condelago (pictured below) in the $350,000 Betfair Sandown Guineas (placed in the Carbine Club Stakes-G3 on Derby Day at his last start); John Honeysett’s multiple winner Golago in the Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation Stakes-LR and; the unraced 2YO filly Miss Zoom who will run around in the Keep The Faith Merson Cooper Stakes-LR.
One of Miss Zoom’s rivals in the Merson Cooper is the highly promising GOD’S OWN filly, Miss Holyfield, who ran a solid fifth in the 2YO stakes race on Melbourne Cup day for Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra.
And, while Miss Holyfield has an undeniable opportunity to slap on some black type in the Merson Cooper, you might get a chance to get a stake for Saturday by backing the Robbie Griffiths’ trained Lady Pania in the K Line Australia Handicap (Race 3) at Moonee Valley tonight.
The God’s Own first cropper was outstanding on debut when scoring at Bendigo and the stable is confident about her chances as she trips to town.
CLANGALANG mare Mistaken Grace – a winner over 1600m at Sandown earlier this year – gets her chance to add valuable black type by taking on her peers in the Le Pine Funerals Summoned Stakes-LR.
Meanwhile, BEL ESPRIT is sure to play a role at the Valley tonight with the Steve Richards’ trained pair – Belcino and Bel Shoes – and Michael Phillips’ Ripa Artois, but will also have representation in Group races on both sides of the country on Saturday.
The Colin Little trained Work the Room – a winner over 1700m at Sandown two starts back and coming off an unlucky fifth in the Sale Cup – will test his mettle in the Eclipse Stakes-G3 over 1800m at Sandown, while Bella Contessa is sure to give her all in the $250,000 Sky Racing WA Guineas-G2 at Ascot.

BEL ESPRIT

• Belcino (ex. Cineto by Century). Breeder: C Bugeja, P Lord
• Bella Contessa (ex. Queen of Smooth by King Concorde). Breeder: Erinvale Investments Pty Ltd, Culvane
• Bel Shoes (ex. Costa Grande by Encosta de Lago). Breeder: Ms B Hawking, Wayne Ross
• Ripa Artois (ex. Zartois by Zabeel). Breeder: M Phillips
• Work the Room (ex. Social Scene). Breeder: Hayson Bloodstock Pty Ltd

CLANGLANG

• Mistaken Grace (ex. Turlington by Sanction). Breeder: CM Stuart

DELAGO BROM

• Condelago (ex. Concluding by Kenny’s Best Pal). Breeder: PJ Mittiga, Mrs EM Mittiga, WA Blythman, Mrs RP Blythman
• Golago (ex. Specks of Gold by Varick). Breeder: F Sands, K Biggins
• Miss Zoom (ex. Carazoom by Mookta). Breeder: Eliza Park

GOD’S OWN

• Lady Pania (ex. Tannadice Park by Rory’s Jester). Breeder: Rick Smith Bloodstock
• Miss Holyfield (ex. Lady Atlanta by Align). Breeder: J Cucuzza

ON THIS DAY

Happy birthday to Bart Cummings who celebrates his 83rd birthday on Sunday (14 November).

As for this day – 12 November – Tim Berners Lee published a formal proposal for the world wide web in 1990 (what would we do without it!) and the Shanghai Maglev Train set a record speed of 501km/h in 2003. However, it’s also the day that massacres took place in Dili (1991) and in the Vietnam village of My Lai (1969).
Speaking of massacres, Charles Manson was born on 12 November 1934, sharing a birthday with Karl Marx (1897), Princess Grace (1929), Neil Young (1945) and 1976 Olympics golden girl, Nadia Comaneci (1961).

FRIDAY FUNNIES

Following are some newspaper headlines that apparently sailed by the keeper:

MAN KILLS SELF BEFORE SHOOTING WIFE AND DAUGHTER

SOMETHING WENT WRONG IN JET CRASH, EXPERT SAYS
(You think?)

POLICE BEGIN CAMPAIGN TO RUN DOWN JAYWALKERS
(Maybe taking it a bit far?)

PANDA MATING FAILS; VETERINARIAN TAKES OVER
(We can assure you no Eliza Park veterinary staff were involved)

MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH
(Lazy so and sos)

WAR DIMS HOPE FOR PEACE

COLD WAVE LINKED TO TEMPERATURES
(Genius!)

COUPLE SLAIN: POLICE SUSPECT HOMICIDE

RED TAPE HOLDS UP BRIDGE
(There’s something stronger than duct tape?)

MAN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING: FACES BATTERY CHARGE
(He is the battery charge!)

ASTRONAUT TAKES BLAME FOR GAS IN SPACECRAFT

KIDS MAKE NUTRITIOUS SNACKS
(Boiled or fried?)

But the winner is …

TYPHOON RIPS THROUGH CEMETERY … HUNDREDS DEAD

FAMILY MAN

There are few trainers more successful with quality sprinters than Caulfield mentor, Peter Moody, who has tasted Group One success in 2010 with the likes of Black Caviar, Newmarket Handicap winner Wanted and reigning Horse of the Year, Typhoon Tracey.
But Peter is also a ‘family man’ and is remembered for putting the polish on Group One winning sprinter, MAGNUS, a close relation to his star mare, Black Caviar.
The superior sprinting entire of a generation which included Takeover Target, Weekend Hussler, Miss Andretti, Apache Cat and Gold Edition, Magnus won the Group One The Galaxy and the Age Classic (now Group One) and figured in the first four in 10 Group One events (in Australia, England and Singapore).
Magnus hails from the multiple Group winning blue hen mare, Scandinavia (by Snippets), who has also produced Group Two winner Wilander and Helsinge … the dam of world champion sprinter, Black Caviar.
Standing at Eliza Park at a fee of $22,000, Magnus (below) has covered two first class books of mares (and is in the midst of a third) with the first of his yearlings appearing at major Australasian yearling sales in 2011.

SALE-ING INTO 2011

Eliza Park will be represented by its strongest ever draft of yearlings next year with consignments bound for Sydney, the Gold Coast, New Zealand, Adelaide, Launceston and, of course, Melbourne.
While some sales are still to be finalised, Eliza Park will take 14 yearlings to the Gold Coast Magic Millions (12-21 January), eight to the Inglis Sydney Classic (23-25 January) and 14 to the New Zealand Nationals (31 January-7 February).

GOLD COAST MAGIC MILLIONS
The Gold Coast will provide Eliza Park with the opportunity to showcase the first Magnus yearlings – four in total – including the first foal of Flemington Group winner Coniston Gem, a colt from a half sister to juvenile Group winners Doubting and Clinton, and a half brother to Group One winner Red Dazzler.
Champion Victorian stallion and sire of Black Cavaiar, Bel Esprit has two heading to the Coast, along with sons and daughters of More Than Ready, Excellent Art, Show a Heart, Royal Academy, Exceed And Excel, Haradasun, Host and Street Sense.

SYDNEY CLASSIC
God’s Own and Written Tycoon both play a sizeable role in Eliza Park’s Classic eight with three by the former and a pair via the latter.
A graduate of this very sale in 2004, God’s Own will have a half brother to stakes winner Umaprince and a half brother to the exciting 2YO Bel Franc, while Written Tycoon boast a half sister to the multiple Group One placed Lords a Leaping. Magnus, Oratorio and Excellent Art are also represented in Sydney.

NEW ZEALAND
Yearlings by Group One winning Danehill stallion Fastnet Rock (sire of 2010 Newmarket Handicap winner and Eliza Park newcomer Wanted) highlight our trans-Tasman team with three of his colts and a filly making the journey.
Meanwhile, Kiwis will get the opportunity to inspect first crop fillies by another Danehill stallion in Shinzig, who ran several Group One placings across the pond (including a close second to Darci Brahma) prior to capturing the CF Orr Stakes-G1 in Melbourne.
Other NZ bound yearlings are a filly by Champion Australian Sire Encosta de Lago (from the multiple Group One winner Pace Invader), a colt and filly by Bernardini, plus youngsters by Commands, Exceed And Excel, Dehere, Elusive Quality and Librettist.

Pedigree details will be posted on Eliza Park’s sales pages shortly.

Group One winner Shinzig - first yearlings in 2011

BLACK CAVIAR’S WORLD

Industry pundit, Steve Moran, has been covering thoroughbred racing for decades and has put forward some interesting observations in relation to ‘global challenges’.
Naturally enough though, we were pretty interested in what Steve had to say about Bel Esprit’s bonny gal, Black Caviar.
“I was so delighted to be at Flemington to see Black Caviar win the best race I’ve ever seen. Certainly the best on paper. Four serious Group One winners didn’t rate a mention in pre-race discussions. And I want to see Black Caviar again on these shores.
But there’s also a part of me which would like to see her travel abroad and ‘blow away’ her opposition as she did last Saturday.
What a week we had. Too many races, the days too long for my liking but I don’t want to indulge in any petty criticism here and now. And perhaps if I didn’t have work to do, I would have a different attitude. Maluckyday, Brazilian Pulse, So You Think and Star Witness (twice); Lion Tamer; Americain and the Cup as a whole; Wall Street and, of course, Black Caviar.
All fantastic stuff, but the mighty mare stole the show. Star Witness and Ortensia and All Silent – I’d back them to win a sprint race anywhere in the world.
Except in one where Black Caviar was running …

A CLASSIC TALE

On Saturday at Flemington, we witnessed a potential superstar of the turf in Black Caviar.
Majesty with every stride, the daughter of Bel Esprit maintained her unbeaten record and, in doing so, made the best sprinters in the land look second rate.
A hemisphere away and some 24 hours later, another grand lady in Zenyatta strove to keep her unblemished record intact – going for an incredible 20 straight in North America’s penultimate championship, the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Sadly – as is the case with many racing’s fairytale endings – Zenyatta failed by a head, but unbelievably won more fans than she lost.
In a magnificent summary of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Bloodhorse’s Steve Haskin wrote that Blame (the eventual winner) and Zenyatta put on a show for the ages creating a mosaic of emotions that ran the gamut between joy and sadness, and in the end, admiration.
Haskin added: As for Zenyatta, Henry Ward Beecher wrote, “It is defeat that turns bone to flint; it is defeat that turns gristle to muscle; it is defeat that makes men invincible.”
And apparently women. For Zenyatta, her defeat in the $4,545,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic will be remembered as an affirmation of her greatness. In victory after victory, she captured the heart. In her lone defeat, she captured the soul. All this remarkable mare lost in the Classic was her unbeaten record. But, like Seattle Slew’s memorable nose defeat in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, her courageous performance actually will enhance her place in history.
Although she will not retire undefeated, Zenyatta proved in the end that perfection is not always measured in numbers.
Amazingly, at one stage Zenyatta was some 20 lengths off the pace, but as Haskin reports: the roar from the grandstand was deafening, with the majority of fans pleading for Zenyatta to get up. But this time it was not meant to be. For the first time in her career, the mighty Zenyatta’s powerful closing rush came up inches short.
The next day, Haskin added: Zenyatta went out to graze for several hours in the afternoon, again drawing a crowd of admirers, some of whom brought her cakes and held up signs, even chanting “Zen-Ya-Ta!” When she headed back to the barn, everyone gave her a warm round of applause, knowing they likely will never see her or her likes again.
Soon, Barn 47, where Blame resided, would be empty, as would Zenyatta’s stall in Barn 41. The grazing area that was such a hub of activity for five magical days would be quiet, and all that will remain are the memories of one of the most exciting chapters in racing history and the final curtain call for perhaps the most amazing and unique racehorse of all time.

To read Steve Haskin’s feature in full and view the race video, click here.

SO THEY SAY ...

In light of the Masters being played in Melbourne this weekend, we hand this one over to the immortal Ben Hogan:

“As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.”

ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

Black Caviar's victory in the Patinack Farm Classic-G1 on Saturday left everyone suitably impressed. None more so than ANZ Bloodstock News!

We said in our editorial yesterday (see below) that what had been billed as a match race between Hay List (STATUE OF LIBERTY) and Black Caviar (BEL ESPRIT) turned into a procession march for Black Caviar, establishing herself as the best sprinter in Australia right now. Even allowing for an obviously uncomfortable Hay List, it is difficult to imagine that he could have defeated the mare,
even if he had been at his top.
Black Caviar simply dominated her rivals and it’s amazing to think that Saturday’s race was the first time she raced three times in a preparation. A series of niggling injuries have restricted her career to date but it might prove to be a blessing. There is solid reason to think that she can improve again as she does everything so easily and her temperament is so relaxed.
RVL Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter indicated on Saturday that Black Caviar’s international rating is likely to put her ahead of Sacred Kingdom when the panel meets next, making her the highest-rated
sprinter in the World. Certainly on Saturday’s display it would be difficult to disagree.

130 So You Think
127 BLACK CAVIAR
125 Americain
125 HAY LIST
125 Whobegotyou
125 Zipping

Sometimes on a racecourse, if you are fortunate enough, you get to witness something special. The 77,506 present at Flemington yesterday were fortunate indeed as they saw Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) demolish her rivals in the Patinack Farm Classic (Gr 1, 1200m) in a truly world-class display, writes Darryl Sherer, just missing the track-record in the process of establishing herself the best sprinter in Australia.
What had been billed as a match race between Hay List (Statue Of Liberty) and Black Caviar turned into a procession march for the reigning Queen of Australian sprinting, winning at Group 1 level for the first time and extending her unbeaten record to eight.
With stand-in jockey Ben Melham leaning against the powerfully made four-year-old at halfway, it was Hay List that cracked first, changing legs and coming under real pressure with 400 metres to go.
If there was any credible opposition for one, fleeting, moment it looked like it would be the three-year-old Star Witness but Melham took his feet from the dashboard, allowed the daughter of Bel Esprit some leather and she simply accelerated away to go clear in a matter of strides.
Star Witness chased hard all the way and, credit to the colt, he was only beaten by four lengths at the finish with Ortensia holding on for third ahead of a fast finishing All Silent (Belong To Me).
As impressive a visual the win had been, when the time of 1.07.96 on the Dead (4) track, with the final 600m in 33.36, was semaphored, jaws did indeed drop.
No-one is closer to Black Caviar than trainer Peter Moody but even he admitted he was lost for words immediately after the race.
“I am a bit lost for words,” the normally effusive Moody said while waiting for Black Caviar and Melham to return to scale. “She travelled sweetly, what do you say? She still looks a bit lost out there and she does not look as tractable as she does around a turn and she still does that so it quite amazing,” he said.
“She is scary really. I have not had one as good and that is the icing on the cake,” he said. “It’s massive relief. She’s had a build up since day one and to finally crack that Group 1. Most horses with her ability probably would have won a Group 1 at their third or fourth start. They just haven’t fallen for her with the injury and so on but to finally get it today it’s just a great relief.
“It would have been a tragedy if a horse like this went to the breeding barn without a Group 1 beside her name. It’s awesome isn’t it? She’s the best I’ve got, I don’t know about the world I’m not worried about the rest of them.” “The things she can do, you just close your eyes and hope she comes back in one piece. She’s just an awesome machine. She still looked a bit lost down the straight, didn’t she? It might be silly to say she seemed lost out there on her own. It’s scary to think she might go quicker around a turn.
“Whether it’s walking around the stable, on the training track or in the paddock at home, she’s got unbelievable brilliance and I don’t think she knows she’s got it and she doesn’t allow for it at times which makes our heart flutter.” “Thankfully as she’s matured and developed both physically and mentally she’s a lot more tractable now, so it’s tremendous.
Moody indicated that Black Caviar and he were due for day off on Sunday. “She’s coming home to South Belgrave tomorrow [Sunday] morning, probably two or three weeks off, she’ll go back to Peter Clarke at Murchison and we’ll prep her for the Lightning and the Australia Stakes in the autumn.” Moody said, adding that he was captaining his cricket team at South Belgrave.
As far as the future is concerned, Moody seems content to keep Black Caviar in Australia for the moment.
“She’s probably going to race herself out of handicaps, so you’ve got a nice lot of weight-for-age races and set weights. She’ll probably go here (Lightning), the Valley (William Reid Stakes), the Sangster and maybe the TJ Smith or something like that.” Pressed on whether he is contemplating an international campaign for Black Caviar Moody was not so certain. “Early to say. I would think the financial attraction of Dubai would probably outweigh Europe because she is a mare but let’s enjoy it at home.
“We just lost one great horse [So You Think] from Australia, if the world want to dethrone her as the world’s best sprinter, let them come here and have a crack at us,” he said.
For young jockey Ben Melham, the win was his first at Group 1 level. “I’m ecstatic and just to have something to do with such a great mare like this is the biggest thrill I’ve had so far in racing,” he said.
“I knew she was good, but today, horses just don’t do what she did. She quickened and then when I asked her to quicken again at the furlong she lengthened again. The frightening part was I still wasn’t near the bottom of her I don’t think.

GOD’S OWN’S DRIVE

GOD’S OWN filly Magnolia Lane is definitely a 3YO on the rise following her emphatic win in the Sydney City Lexus Handicap over 1400m at Randwick on Saturday.
The victory comes hot on the heels of a previous win at Wyong and the Marc Conners’ trainee now boasts a two wins and a third from four outings.
Out of the Umatilla mare Stikumonice and linebred to Champion mare Dancing Show through two daughters, this is also the family of the brilliant and highly influential sire Twig Moss.
Bred by God’s Own shareholder Tony Blackman, Magnolia Lane also has an unraced 2YO full brother, Chilled Ambrosia.

STRAIGHT TO THE TOP

DELAGO BROM 3YO, Straighttothetop, certainly lived up to his name at Ararat yesterday when he captured the Gorst Rural Supplies Plate over 1600m.
The Darren Weir trained colt clearly relished the extra ground which is hardly surprising given that Delago Brom won the Australian Guineas-G1 over a mile.
Bred by C Gryphon, G Ward and S Tye in Queensland, Straighttothetop is out of the 5-time winning Lion Hunter mare Power of Now and boasts a solid northern hemisphere black type family.

A CLASS OF HER OWN

It was billed as a match race but turned out as one horse race as the imperious Black Caviar kept her unbeaten record intact with a 4-length romp in Saturday's $750,000 Group One Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington.
With Ben Melham taking over the reins from the suspended Luke Nolen, Black Caviar was always in control of the race, cruising home to capture her first Group One from the 3YO colt Star Witness with another 2.25 lengths to Ortensia (photo by Steve Hart)

It was the eighth win without defeat for the daughter of BEL ESPRIT who becomes Australia's latest equine millionaire with earnings of $1,241,750.

All of a sudden, So You Think has a serious challenger to the Horse Of The Year crown. And it was the former Bart Cummings trainee that Black Caviar's trainer Peter Moody was thinking of when asked if an overseas campaign beckoned for the superstar.
“Bugger the world,” Moody said. “Why can’t they come and take us on?
“We have just lost one great champion overseas so we’ll keep this one here for a while. She’ll put bums on seats if she stays unbeaten.”
“If I entertained overseas, Dubai would be very attractive option but Hong Kong would be an option this time next year but we will enjoy the autumn here.
A $210,000 purchase by Moody at the 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Black Caviar is the first foal of the Desert Sun mare Helsinge, a half-sister to Group One winner MAGNUS and Group Two winner Wilander.
Black Caviar becomes the second Group One winner for Bel Esprit (10 stakes winners overall) following Robert Sangster Stakes winner Bel Mer.

- Mark Smith, Breednet

JUST AN ILLUSION

Our thanks to the crew from Lauriston Lodge for sending this through.


This is the outside of a public toilet in Houston ...

... and this is the inside ... yes, it's one way glass but one reckons you might lose the urge!

Now, imagine going to a friend's apartment - on the 10th floor - having a few drinks and then asking if you can use the bathroom ...

OK, it's only a painted floor, but with a few sherbets on board you'd probably want to be careful where you stepped.


And this one is our favourite ... a ceiling mural from a smokers' lounge!