TAKING LIBERTY WITH A DOUBLE

A ‘flyer’ alright! Statue of Liberty colt, Octane Flyer, established his bona fides as one of Queensland’s finest 2YOs with a fast finishing performance in today’s Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation over 1000m at Eagle Farm.

Coming from 9^th on the turn, Octane Flyer sprouted wings over the closing stages, winning with about a panel to spare on the wire.

It was Octane Flyer’s fifth start and follows up his win on debut (over 1010m at Doomben last October), a game second in last month’s Group Three Skyline at Rosehill and a third over 1400m at Eagle Farm on 30 March.

Trained by Kelly Schweida, Octane Flyer (below) is out of the Grand Lodge mare, Tahnee Tango.

Meanwhile, south of the border, French Gift made it a city double for Statue of Liberty by taking out the Newgate Farm Handicap over 2400m at Randwick.

It was win #8 for French Gift who has now taken his earnings over the $200k mark and there appears to be plenty of racing left in the 6YO.

Hailing from the New Regent mare, Our Twig, French Gift is trained at Newcastle by Steve Hodge and may step out next Saturday in the $500,000 Group One Sydney Cup.

A 1000m 2YO winner and a 3200m Sydney Cup bound winner certainly underlines the versatility of Statue of Liberty’s progeny – little wonder he’s popular.

MAGNUS’ MAGIC KINGDOM

Magnus 3YO, Platinum Kingdom, had the odds stacked against him at Randwick today.

First run in Australia … carrying topweight of 58 kilos … dropping back three furlongs … a heavy surface … and some highly rated opposition.

And, to make matters worse, Platinum Kingdom shied badly in the closing stages and looked at one stage as if he’d end up in the grandstand.

But the highly promising Kiwi ended up prevailing by a length plus change in the Listed McGrath Estate Agents South Pacific Classic over 1400m, notching up his fourth stakes victory – an eighth overall – for trainer Lisa Latta.

Becoming Magnus’ first stakes winner by taking out the Champagne Classic-LR last season at two, Platinum Kingdom is at the vanguard of what appears to be his sires’ penchant for producing horses that train on.

Since resuming in January, Platinum Kingdom has raced seven times for four victories – three of those at stakes level – a Listed third and at his most recent start prior to coming to Australia, a neck third in the Group Three Manawatu Classic.

Platinum Kingdom’s sire, Magnus is hovering near the lead of the Australian Second Season Sires’ chart (by winners) – which will be bolstered by his speedy son’s heady display at Randwick.

Despite having raced in New Zealand prior to today’s effort, Platinum Kingdom was bred in Western Australia and is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Miss Rangoon.

Based on his effort at Randwick, he clearly has a big future on this side of the ditch.

MAGNUS FILLY DRIVES TOWARD CARR

Exciting Magnus filly, Missy Cummings, has now got a date at Randwick on Saturday week, following her impressive win at Wyong today.

Unveiled at Wyong just 11 days ago, Missy Cummings flew home on the dead surface to win over 1000m and repeated the dose over 1100m this time around.

Trained by Mister Anthony Cummings (below), Missy Cummings is now poised to line up in the $100,000 Listed James HB Carr Stakes over 1400m at Randwick.

A daughter of the popular second season sire, Magnus, Missy Cummings is from the multiple stakes winning Serheed mare, Lady Knockout, in turn a daughter of triple Group winner Prime Again.

Bred by Robert Crabtree (who also bred and raced Magnus and sold a three quarter brother to the sire for $1.2 million at the recent Australian Easter Yearling Sale), Missy Cummings was snapped up for $80,000 from the Eliza Park draft at the 2011 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

NOT TO BE MISSED

At first glance, it would appear that Anthony Cummings’ Missy Cummings is named after a member of his sizeable clan, but more than likely the unbeaten Magnus filly was assigned her moniker in honour of one of the United States’ first female fighter pilots.

Both horse and the fighter pilot have one thing in common : they both go fast!

WRITTEN TYCOON SOLD

Champion First Season Sire, WRITTEN TYCOON, has been sold and will return to stud in Victoria this spring.

The sale arose from a disagreement regarding the placement of Written Tycoon, who was relocated last year to Eliza Park’s new Queensland operation.

Eliza Park’s CEO, Cameron Croucher, was obviously reluctant to see the stallion go but wishes the new syndicate the very best of luck.

“Written Tycoon has been an extremely popular stallion and deservedly took out the Australian First Season Sires’ championship in 2011/12,” Croucher points out. “Therefore, we were determined to give Queensland breeders access to the stallion last year when we established that arm of the operation … particularly given that he was foaled in that state and two of his three stakes winners have been trained up there.

“It was important to show Queensland breeders our commitment to the state so, with the blessing of shareholders, we sent up one of our leading lights in Written Tycoon.

“And, although a sizeable number of Victorian breeders took up Eliza Park’s lucrative package deal to transport their mares there and back, the controlling interest in the stallion determined that Written Tycoon wasn’t getting the support in Queensland and thereby initiated the auction.

“Despite Written Tycoon’s sale, it has strengthened our resolve to support the Queensland operation and, in particular, we’re looking forward to the arrival of Love Conquers All’s first foals this spring.

“On the upside, we believe Written Tycoon has been sold at peak value – in 2009 Eliza Park purchased him for $625,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale.

“Woodside Park is the new owner, purchasing Written Tycoon for $3 million and providing a huge upside for shareholders who bought in at $15,000 and have utilised the stallion for the past four seasons.

“It has always been Eliza Park’s objective to look after its shareholders and, while Written Tycoon will be missed by all of us at Eliza, it has been a massive return for investors.

“Eliza Park wishes Woodside Park and the new shareholders continued success with the stallion.”