NO HK FOR BEL’S SPRINTER

A tilt at Hong Kong’s big international meet in December is now off the cards for Bel Esprit’s Group One winner, Bel Sprinter, according to ANZ Bloodstock News.

Trainer Jason Warren will not be taking Bel Sprinter (Bel Esprit) to Hong Kong in December and the six-year-old will instead be aimed at a spring and autumn campaign in Australia. Bel Sprinter, the winner of The Galaxy (Gr 1, 1100m) last season, is due to resume in the Moir Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Moonee Valley on 27 September and will be targeted at the Winterbottom Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) after the spring carnival. Quarantine restrictions and the December timing of the Hong Kong International Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) would rule out Bel Sprinter running during the autumn.

ELIZA PARK INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHED

In a night that will be remembered for its dazzle, sizzle and – most importantly – promise of a bright new era, Eliza Park International, staged its official launch at Crown Casino on Wednesday 7 August.

Attended by over 300 of Australia’s breeders, owners, trainers and administrators, there was also a large contingent of owners from Hong Kong and Macau who flew especially for the gala event.

Among the group was Eliza Park International’s new owner, Mr Ting Kong Cheng, one of China’s most successful businessmen and enthusiastic student of all things equine and Mr Chau, Chairman of the Sun International Group.

Guests were treated to a variety of entertainment, but the message for the night focused on the future – not just for Eliza Park International, but the thoroughbred industry at large.

The decision by the Sun International Group to purchase Eliza Park International has been warmly welcomed by Australia’s racing and breeding community as it not only ushers in a new age for one of Australia’s leading stud farms, it also marks the beginning of new relationships throughout Asia.

RVL's Bernard Saundry and Rob Roulston flank industry legend Jack Styring

Annie Vassallo and Damien Oliver

Eliza Park International Director & CEO Cameron Croucher

Virtuoso Sally Cooper stringed everyone along

Danielle Cheng and Mr Cheng with Gai Waterhouse

Eliza Park International Executive Director Andrew Lo

Cameron Croucher, Mick Price, Tony Noonan and James O'Brien

David Moodie and Mark Webster

Troy Corstens, Ady Sarkozy, Coach McRobert and Adam Tims

Quentin Wallace, Chris Burke and Lachlan Ford - the IRT crew

ELIZA PARK INTERNATIONAL ON PARADE

Eliza Park International staged an ‘inspection soiree’ for its new owners – the Sun International Group – and over 60 racing enthusiasts, owners and trainers from Hong Kong and Macau, at the Kerrie headquarters on Tuesday.

With a parade of stallions, 2YOs and yearlings, the visitors – many stepping onto the farm for the first time – enjoyed the bloodstock, hospitality and yes, the weather!

Sure, it was cold, but it wasn’t raining. That said we had contingencies in place … the breeding shed, or as CEO Cameron Croucher referred to it – the ‘honeymoon suite’ (and yes, some terms clearly have no language barriers!) – was converted into an entertainment area for the event.

Most importantly, it was clear that everyone departed with a highly favourable impression of what the Australian thoroughbred industry has to offer.

Eliza Park International's owner, Mr Ting Kong Cheng with Wanted

Bel Esprit wows the watchers

Sun International's Marketing VP, Gigi Ho

Danielle Cheng, John Jeffs, David Chester, Gai Waterhouse & Tony Cruz

Director & CEO Cameron Croucher addresses attendees in the 'honeymoon suite'

Working out

Industry icon, Sir Patrick Hogan

Studying the 'form'

HAY LIST NOMINATED FOR MISSILE

Gosford trainer John McNair has confirmed that he will nominate outstanding sprinter Hay List for the Gr3 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill next Saturday, reports racingnetwork.com.au. McNair, who will make a final decision later in the week, had previously ruled Hay List out of the Missile believing the three-time Gr1 winner would be lacking fitness. “After his trial last Friday we thought we may need more time, and we still might, but after having a chat with his owners we decided we will at least nominate,” explained McNair.

CLEVER WIN BY BEL'S DUDE

Breednet’s Tara Madgwick reviews Clevadude’s return at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The bubble burst for Kiwi raider Cauthen when he was beaten at Moonee Valley on Saturday by Clevadude, but the favourite had excuses and both three year-olds will be well worth following through the spring.

Heavily backed on the strength of his nine length debut win in New Zealand last month, Cauthen found the 1000 metres of this assignment a tad sharp and never looked comfortable in the run before making ground late.

While Cauthen was held up back on the rail, Clevadude found the front and never looked back kicking clear off the bend and then holding the son of Darci Brahma to win by the best part of a length.

“He’s had a few issues and had some boils on his withers which meant we couldn’t work him for a few days, so I thought he might have been up against it today, but he’s won like a really good horse,” said winning trainer Rick Hore-Lacy. “We’ll go for the Vain Stakes over 1100 metres in a fortnight and then play it by ear.

“He looks like a dead set sprinter to me, but you never know, we’ll look at the Caulfield Guineas.”

Clevadude was the top priced offering during the Session Five part of the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, secured by his trainer for $225,000 from the draft of Eliza Park, who stand his sire Bel Esprit.

Now a gelding, he has the handy record of three wins from four starts with prizemoney topping $140,000.

He is the third foal and first winner for Jezeera, a minor winning sister to stakes-winning sprinter Belle Ball.

Jezeera died earlier this year and her final foal, a full sister to Clevadude, fetched $40,000 at the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Clevadude has a bit in common with Bel Esprit’s champion daughter Black Caviar.

Like her, he was the most expensive yearling by his sire sold at that sale and also like her he has a double cross of brilliant sprinter and champion sire Vain.

Whether he can scale the heights and become a Group I winner like Black Caviar remains to be seen!

Clevadude’s sire Bel Esprit was the leading sire of Australian winners last season and stands at a fee of $33,000.