HONG KONG TRUMP

Handy performance by Written Tycoon’s, Trump, in Hong Kong on Sunday, fighting on gamely for second in the Alumni Cup.

Trump, a Group winner in Brisbane for Robert Heathcote, was sent to Hong Kong in December of last year and has been off the scene since mid January.

Based on this latest effort (click here fora video replay), another win isn’t too far in the offing.

SPRINT TO BEL

Bel Esprit produced ‘four’ winners on Friday, although (understandably!) there was only room in the spotlight for one.

Black Caviar’s 24^th had everyone in a muck lather and if she’s not the greatest of all time, then she has certainly had the greatest coverage. How we’ll miss her when she steps off the stage.

Such was the fanfare, little notice was given to the promising, Excited Spirit, who won his second race on the trot (from only four outings), scoring by three over 1600m at Werribee.

And, just an hour BC (Before Caviar), City of Song was very impressive over 1200m at the Valley – John Moloney has done a great job with this mare and she has now won four and nearly $300k in stakes.

Amidst all the hoopla, her win garnered little attention but she is a mighty fine sprinter and on any other night …

But for Bel Esprit buffs, the most ominous performance of the day might have been staged some 870kms from Moonee Valley racecourse in a barrier trial at Randwick.

Jason Warren sent around his star performer, Bel Sprinter (below), in an 800m trial and, despite being off the scene for over four months, the 5YO won handily with Isabella Snowflake (four from five and a Flemington stakes winner earlier this month) in second, while 3-time stakes winner Master Harry filed in third.

Indeed, only one of the 10 trialing has not been successful at black type level!

MOODY’S ANGEL

It’s fairly safe to assume that Peter Moody’s other unbeaten Bel Esprit will garner most of the media this week, but let’s not dismiss the performance of 3YO filly, Angels Beach, who made it two from two at Sandown on Wednesday.

Sent out a $1.70 favourite after scoring by 7 lengths on debut at Pakenham back in December, Angels Beach was showing no signs of rust in the Browns Sawdust and Shavings Handicap, racing away to score by one and a half panels.

Hailing from the Zeditave mare, Descendant, Angels Beach (pictured below as a yearling) is a half sister to Group winner Patronyme and was purchased at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock for $220,000.

Very likely to be money well spent!

ELIZA PARK ON SHOW

ELIZA PARK TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE

ELIZA PARK, one of Australia’s leading thoroughbred stud operations, is to be offered for sale.

In making the announcement, Eliza Park CEO, Cameron Croucher, has revealed that the organisation – encompassing six properties in two states, along with shares and standing rights in 14 stallions – will be sold by public tender through bloodstock auction house William Inglis.

An extensive international marketing campaign will be implemented and expressions of interest will be called for before a closing tender date of April 26^th.

The Eliza Park brand is well established and is recognised as one of the leading and most progressive thoroughbred nurseries in the country. The stallion roster is regarded as one of the finest in the nation with 10 stallions standing in Victoria (headed by Black Caviar’s sire and Australia’s leading sire by winners in Bel Esprit and exciting young stallion, Wanted), while in Queensland there are facilities for four stallions, with its current lineup including an Australian Champion First Season Sire in Written Tycoon.

“As a third generation breeder, Eliza Park is the culmination of a life long ambition, although when starting out I never imagined it would grow to what it is now,” Eliza Park’s principal Lee Fleming explained. “It is with somewhat mixed emotions that I’ve made the decision to offer the stud for tender: I’m immensely proud of the Eliza Park’s diversity, its continued growth and its position as one of the nation’s top thoroughbred operations, but this (the proposed sale) has been in the planning for some time. With all the pieces now in place and the stallions going so well, it really is the optimum time to put Eliza Park on the market and represents a tremendous opportunity for investors.

Croucher also points out: “This is an exciting opportunity for a buyer to purchase an established business with a sound bottom line: an organisation that offers every thoroughbred service with highly professional management and staff, stallions and facilities all in place.”

William Inglis concurs: “We are delighted to be offering the Eliza Park property and stallion interests for sale,” said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.

“Eliza Park has been at the forefront of the breeding industry in Victoria for many years and is well placed for future growth with a highly competent team and an excellent portfolio of property and commercial stallions on offer. The Kerrie property has a vast array of breeding and training facilities, providing a potential investor plenty of options: and is an ideal time for an investor to get involved on the way up.”

Interested parties should contact either Jamie Inglis or Mark Webster for a copy of the information memorandum and an inspection.

For further information please contact Cameron Croucher on 0417 293 747.

MAGNUS 3YO ADDS FIZZ

Bubbly effort on debut at Benalla yesterday by Magnus 3YO, Aeratus, who got up in a thriller over 1206m.

Caught three wide and around seventh when turning for home, the Mick Price chestnut really knuckled down and, while the margin was slim, the effect was considerable.

Sold by Eliza Park for $80,000 at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier, this bloke certainly appears to have more wins in store.

Magnus, meanwhile, continues his charge on the 3YO sires’ chart with 21 individual winners for the season.

Aeratus as a yearling