Eliza Park

BEL ESPRIT FILLY RUNS OFF WITH G2

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 02:48:00 +0000

What a heart stopper in the Group Two Edward Manifold yesterday!

Se Sauver has gone forward in leaps and bounds with Matt Laurie and fortunately the last bound was enough to get the decision at Flemington.

She only won her maiden at Pakenham less than a month ago and you can totally forget her run at Caulfield a fortnight ago when her race was over even before she’d jumped.

The stable is now targeting the Group One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on 13 October and perhaps the Crown Oaks on 7 November. Imagine a Bel Esprit Group One winner over 2500m!

Se Sauver is Bel Esprit’s 17^th stakes winner overall and just as importantly, Victoria’s Champion Sire posted four winners for the day … it now has him in clear third on the national winners’ chart – and well poised to retain the title.

TOP FIRST UP BID BY LIBERTY FILLY

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 23:07:00 +0000

It was around this time last year that we made mention on our news page of an unraced 2YO – from Statue of Liberty’s ‘return’ crop – that had been named Cocklebiddy.

And, as faithful reader Tony Fiume pointed out, Cocklebiddy is a roadhouse community on the Nullabor Plains: “a necessary petrol stop in 1962 … Southern Cross, Balladonia Station then Cocklebiddy on the way back. Oh joy: 1100 miles of unmade road!”

Well, Cocklebiddy has finally made an appearance, stepping out over 1210m at Sale on Wednesday and, according to ANZ Bloodstock News, performed admirably: “The Greg Eurell-trained 3YO filly Cocklebiddy scored a good win on debut, beating older rivals. She was eased from her wide barrier (13) and settled near last, wide with cover. She improved to about eighth and still wide nearing the 600m point, put in a good run to challenge at the 200m and then drew clear to win comfortably by just over a length. She looks the makings of a good class filly”.

Cocklebiddy is out of the Agincourt mare, Gypsy Battalia, and has been retained by her breeders, Max and Roz Graham and Trevor Nuthall and other family members.

Good move guys!

After having a resounding 12 months with his Eliza Park International conceived 2YOs in 2012-13, Statue of Liberty has made a terrific start to the new season with his 3YOs including Olivier, Still As, The Bronx, Washington Square, Hudson River, Lion of Belfort, Jersey Short and now, Cocklebiddy.

Accordingly, Statue of Liberty is now equal sixth on the Australian 3YO Sires’ chart by winners.

QUALITY SPURS EPI BUY

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 05:25:00 +0000

Eliza Park International’s owner, Mr Ting Kong Cheng, has purchased the session topper on the second and final of the 2013 Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale, paying $220,000 for the Flying Spur colt from Rock On Bye.

Purchasing Eliza Park in June, Mr Cheng has been a highly visible presence at Australian sales this year and was clearly impressed with the quality of the Flying Spur colt who is out of a half sister to multiple stakes winner Zero Rock.

This is also the family of filly great November Rain and Group One winner Race Master while, interestingly, he is a close blood relation to Flying Spur’s Champion 2YO, San Luis.

A Champion Australian Sire with nearly 900 winners (89 at stakes level), Flying Spur is also shaping a formidable sire of sires with his sons including Magnus and Casino Prince.

Eliza Park International's Alvin Lui with the Flying Spur colt

STATUE’S OLIVIER – ROLE ON SPRING

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 06:30:00 +0000

As far as opening acts go, Olivier makes for interesting theatre.

The Statue of Liberty 3YO showed his true mettle at Ballarat on Sunday, ploughing through 1200m of a Heavy 10 to score his first win for a very excited breeder-owner in Georgia Fraser (and her mum, Veronica).

Coming from near last on the turn, Olivier produced an eye-catching effort to grab victory right on the wire and it now appears the youngster is on target for rich spring roles.

According to Veronica, trainer David Hayes has always had an opinion of the horse, and considers him a black type contender – perhaps as soon as Flemington on Turnbull Stakes day (5 October).

This was only Olivier’s second trip to the races: first time around he produced a fighting third at Geelong despite being caught wide throughout after drawing a wide barrier. Merely a warm up: a dress rehearsal if you will.

But Ballarat on Sunday … well, that’s a different story. For the Fraser women at least, it may as well have been headquarters on Cup Day.

They are very passionate about their horses, with total focus on bloodlines, environment, nutrition, education and training.

Olivier is out of the Belong To Me mare, Our Cache, a black type family which includes Irish 1000 Guineas winner Al Bahathri, Group One winners Haafd and Military Attack, along with Hong Kong Group One winner and Melbourne Cup runnerup Red Cadeaux.

Sold for $100,000 as a yearling at Easter, Our Cache proved to be a real barrier rogue and was unraced as a consequence.

So, when the Frasers got hold of her (“we love the Belong to Me mares – we’ve got six of them!”) they were determined to get the perfect match.

“Despite his success, Statue of Liberty is one of the most underrated stallions in Australia and, best of all, he’s got a marvelous temperament,” Veronica points out.

Statue of Liberty was Our Cache’s first cover and both Georgia and Veronica were determined to play it by the book, having the vet – based close to their boutique Harkaway (Victoria) property – on standby.

Apart from displaying some typical first time mum behavior, both mare and foal bonded quickly and with the freedom of a 15 acre undulating paddock, the latter grew like topsy.

And, as it turns out, the education process would be little more than a lunge in the park: “they broke him in in eight minutes!”.

Determined to go the extra step, the Frasers then placed the youngster with champion trainer David Hayes and, fingers crossed, the rest is history.

Who knows … maybe this Olivier will be awarded a statue of a different kind.

No ... the other Olivier!

ICONIC PERFORMANCE EARNS A SAPPHIRE

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 06:25:00 +0000

Bel Esprit has a few irons in the Spring fire, but the one that may emerge with the greater glory is the well-named 3YO, Iconic.

What a performance in Saturday’s Nine West Plate (1000m) at Caulfield, bred and raced by Rob Crabtree (along with his wife, Sylvie, and good mate, Craig Jamieson), Iconic tracked the multiple stakes winner and favourite, Villa Verde, into the straight before pouncing over the final stages to score by half a length with a good space to the rest.

Trained by Tony McEvoy and ridden impeccably by returning hero, Damien Oliver, Iconic has now pieced together three wins and two seconds from just six starts.

Iconic is out of Crabtree’s Danehill mare, Danavia, a half sister to Magnus, Scandiva, Wilander and, of course, Black Caviar’s mum, Helsinge.

Interestingly, McEvoy has earmarked the Blue Sapphire at Caulfield on 12 October as Iconic’s next target which has been won twice previously – in its six year history – by Bel Esprit progeny (i.e. Black Caviar and City of Song).

MAGNUS FILLY HAS X-FACTOR

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 11:53:00 +0000

Another Magnus youngster might well be on the path to spring glory following a brilliant debut in the Prime 7 X Factor Maiden at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Stepping out over the 900m, Lavender Bay proved far too sharp for her rivals including the odds on pick Arancio and appears destined to show up in town next time around.

Trained and owned by Anthony Cummings, Lavender Bay is a 3YO filly by Magnus out of the Strategic mare, Chowder Bay. Closely related to multiple stakes winner Primus and hailing from the family Miss Danehill and Pentastic, Lavender Bay was bred by Rob Crabtree and sold for $70,000 at the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions through the Eliza Park draft.

Lavender Bay, in Sydney’s northern suburbs, is around 8 kilometres from Chowder Bay – boasting some of the city’s most beautiful scenery (below) – and, coincidentally, around the same distance from the 1100m gate at Randwick racecourse.

BUSHRANGER – THIS BOY IS A STEAL

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 08:40:00 +0000

“Spring is the time of plans and projects” – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

It’s definitely the season for projecting the hopes of breeders and owners as they yearn for successful covers, straight legged foals and fast racehorses.

Bushranger disciples are among that mix … and, insofar as the first two plans are concerned, high fertility and cracking youngsters have filled the bill.

Now for the big test – the first Australian bred youngsters turned two on 1 August and we can expect to see the first of them make appearances over the next few months.

And while reports from stables are encouraging, that’s all they are at this early stage … projections.

But we can at least get an inkling due to the wonders of the shuttle system.

In Europe, where Bushranger proved to be hugely popular in both the breeding and sales sheds, his initial crop are off to an outstanding start – 15 individual winners thus far and only one shy of the lead on the British First Season Sires’ chart.

Fellow Danetime stallion and first cropper, Myboycharlie, has likewise made an impact with his recent French stakes winner, Salai.

And the Danehill lineage is not the only similarity … both Bushranger and Myboycharlie won the prestigious juvenile Group One – the Prix Morny – and both were crowned Champion 2YOs of France in their respective years.

Bushranger, however, won the Morny in race record time and also went on to eclipse the Group One Middle Park Stakes in track record time at Newmarket and add the Champion 2YO of England title to his belt.

And while comparisons might be odorous (or in this case, onerous), Myboycharlie has followed up European form with a healthy launch to his Australian career (unlike Bushranger, he served his first book of mares in Australia before shuttling back to Europe and his oldest Oz progeny are now 3YOs).

Just recently, Myboycharlie’s Charlie Boy wowed them in the Group Two Danehill Stakes which is a nice touch for the broodmare owners who sent 196 mares last spring.

This year Myboycharlie stands in Australia at a fee of $16,500 – Bushranger at Eliza Park International for just $8,800 … now there’s a plan!

QUEENSLAND’S GOLDEN BOYS

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 07:49:00 +0000

One of the major highlights, thus far, of this season was the thrilling victory of Zoustar in Saturday’s Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill.

Trained by Chris Waller and a son of the ill-fated, Northern Meteor, Zoustar flew home to grab the prize and now has four wins and a second from six outings.

Destined to be one of the stars of spring, congrats goes to Kevin Dixon, who bred the colt at his Racetree Farm – now the site of Eliza Park International’s Queensland operation.

Racetree was also the breeding ground for another spring hopeful in Buffering, whose dam Action Annie is due to foal to Love Conquers All next month.

Love Conquers All, whose sire (Mossman) and grandsire (Success Express) both had stints at EPI Queensland nee Racetree, has been well received since heading north last spring and another of his harem this year includes Milennial, dam of Group One winner La Montagna.

Interestingly, La Montagna is by another EPI Queensland based stallion in Monashee Mountain, while their ‘newcomer’ stablemate – Instinction (below) – has just had his first three mares (all covered on 1 September) safely tested in foal.

SHINZIG'S MICK IS BACK

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 07:14:00 +0000

South Aussie trainer, Daniel Clarken, has had a big year. Huge!

The victory by Not a Single Doubt filly, Miracles of Life, in the 2013 Blue Diamond was a massive achievement by Clarken and his crew – one that is unlikely to be forgotten in a hurry.

But while Miracles of Life – deservedly – has garnered most of the kudos for the stable, Clarken has more than a soft spot for another member of his stable: Shinzig sprinter, Psychic Mick.

Prior to his return to racing – at Morphettville on 31 August – Clarken told media that “you don’t know how excited I am to have him (Psychic Mick) back … until the filly (Miracles of Life) came along, he was one of the most exciting horses I’ve ever put a saddle on”.

And while Clarken was satisfied with Psychic Mick’s second on resumption, he was over the moon with the 4YOs all-the-way victory over 1200m at Morphettville on Saturday.

It was vintage Psychic Mick : a welcome return to the winners’ circle for the Shinzig first cropper who won his first four (including the Listed Vain Stakes at Caulfield) before exiting the scene for over eight months for surgery to remove bone chips.

“When we won the Vain at Caulfield, Chris Symons got off and said he just didn’t handle the track … he won by three and a half,” Clarken adds. “I’ve got a big opinion of this horse.”

DAMIEN’S LION HEARTED RETURN

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 05:52:00 +0000

Damien Oliver has tasted success at all levels of racing, taking out every major event on the turf calendar, but few would have been any sweeter than his victory on Statue of Liberty 3YO, Lion of Belfort.

Oliver has been off the scene for 10 months and was resuming at Geelong today on the Mick Price trained colt: and there were no visible signs of rust as he piloted the youngster to a four length whitewash over the 1100m journey.

Indeed, such was the colt’s domination he is unlikely to be relegated to a footnote ... a pub trivia question about D. Oliver’s return to racing.

Oliver was full of praise for Lion of Belfort as he returned to scale, suggesting the Statue of Liberty flyer was destined for greater things - a view shared by Mick Price who now, confidently, has rich spring spoils in mind.

Only stepping out for the second time after being beaten by the barest of margins over 1000m at Geelong on 27 August, Lion of Belfort never gave punters cause for concern - particularly those who settled for the $1.35 on offer.

Lion of Belfort was snapped up by BC3 Thoroughbreds at last year’s Melbourne Premier and, while there’s a lot of North American black type up close, he also hails from the family of Fastnet Rock Group One winner, Irish Lights.

The Oliver factor aside, this is another big step forward for Lion of Belfort’s sire, Statue of Liberty.

As the sire of Hay List and Mic Mac (and now broodmare sire of Group One winner Rizeena), Statue of Liberty missed a couple of vital seasons due to shuttling restrictions over EI.

However, in his first crop back - Lion of Belfort among them - he has produced a host of speedy types including Octane Flyer, Miss Steele, Miss Santa Fe and co.

What’s more, he has covered over 480 mares in his last four seasons and is currently working his way through another sizeable book at a fee of just $11,000 inc. GST.

And, it’s fairly safe to say that any breeder who watched Lion of Belfort’s demolition job at Geelong will be taking a long hard look at adding to the 2013 book.

Race photos courtesy of Slickpix

PS. If you are into trivia, Lion of Belfort is located in France and is a sculpture by Frederic Bartholdi, the bloke responsible for the Statue of Liberty. Over 20 metres long and 11 metres high, it’s made entirely of red sandstone and commemorates French resistance at the Seige of Belfort.

BEL UNDER WRAPS

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 02:13:00 +0000

Rather remiss of me in overlooking one of Bel Esprit’s eight winners in the past four days. Yep, Vetwrap flew under the radar when winning at Warrnacknabeal on Sunday. My bad.

Normally a 7YO winning in country Victoria is not headline making stuff and trainer Darren Weir, who puts the polish on this year’s pre-post Melbourne Cup favourite, probably won’t put Vetwrap’s September sally on equal footing with other achievements, but it certainly meant a lot to the owners.

Vetwrap got his name, according to breeder and part-owner Judi Clarke, from a propensity for injuring himself.

Judi and her husband, Max, learned early in the piece that you can’t wrap them in cotton wool but buying shares in Johnson & Johnson would have been a whole lot cheaper than the wrap a vet uses.

Probably no great surprise then that the yearling was passed in at the 2008 Melbourne Premier and is now raced under the ownership of: Mr AJ Clark, Mrs IL Clark, Mr MJ Clarke, Mrs JA Clarke, Mr A Mastromanno, Mr GJ Clark, Mrs LG Clark and Forest Lodge Racing Pty Ltd.

(Crikey, there’s more clark(e)s than a governmental department and would someone like to explain where Mastromanno comes from?).

And if there are prizes for persistence …

Vetwrap didn’t race until he was a spring 4YO and it wasn’t until his third start – way back in December 2010 – that he cracked it for a win.

But then he was off the scene again – an operation sidelining him for 2 years, 7 months and 16 days: that’s 2.62 years, 137 weeks, 959 days.

Most of us would have pulled up stumps, but when Vetwrap resumed on 27 July with a fast finishing third and backed it up with a bee’s appendage second on 11 August – after jumping awkwardly and laying in under pressure – the scene was well and truly set for a return to the winners’ circle on 9 September.

To make it even more interesting, he came home like the last train to Clarkesville … near last entering the straight before winning by a shade under two lengths.

That’s what we call triumph over adversity.

Judi & Max Clarke

BEL ON TARGET

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 22:03:00 +0000

Another winner for Bel Esprit on Monday has seen the champion sire post six winners in the past three days (seven if you count NZ) and 23 individual winners overall for season 13/14.

Interestingly, this is the same number of winners he had posted during the same period last season before going on to equal the all-time Australian record for most winners (155) in a season.

A RIGHT ROYAL START

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 21:54:00 +0000

Astronomer Royal. Immaculately bred, brilliantly performed – underestimated!

Astronomer Royal has well and truly slipped under the radar of most breeders which, in itself, is fairly baffling.

After all, he is a Classic winning son of Danzig – the last one in fact – and hails from a stakes winner daughter of Easy Goer. His first crop of yearlings have sold up to $260,000 which, off an opening fee of $16,500, is a fair indication of the type he’s putting forward.

He has produced a highly impressive stakes winner in France this year in the shape of Table Ronde and, from his first Australian crop, is represented (among others) by the David Hayes trained Gourmet Night … a winner at his only start at two.

That said, no-one expected he would be remembered as a sire of 2YOs. Sure, he won at two, was a Group winner over 1200m and, produced one of his best runs when fourth in the Group One July Cup.

But he was better over a mile, winning the French Guineas, running third in the St James’ Palace Stakes and fourth in the Jean Prat … all at Group One level. Meanwhile, his half brother, Navesink River won his Group Two over 2400m, as did their close relation, Vicar, winner of the Florida Derby.

So, hence the lack of fanfare with Astronomer Royal’s nifty 3YO colt, Gravitational who led all the way to win last week for the Danny O’Brien stable … a win which now has Astronomer Royal (below) sitting equal fourth on the Australian Second Season Sires’ chart by winners.

Expect to see quite a few more Gravitationals and Gourmet Nights in the coming weeks.

LIBERTY – ON BOTH COUNTS

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 21:50:00 +0000

Hay List made a welcome return to racing on the weekend and while we might have to wait another start or two for the fairytale, it was an encouraging performance nonetheless.

The Group Two The Shorts on Saturday week appears to be the next cab off the rank for the Statue of Liberty juggernaut.

Speaking of Statue of Liberty, the sire of Hay List, Mic Mac and co. has been among the winners with his current crop of 3YOs – namely Washington Square, Still As and The Bronx – and with nearly 500 mares covered in the last four seasons, they’ll soon have plenty of company.

But Statue of Liberty is also poised to make his mark as a broodmare sire … and then some.

With his daughters only producing a handful of runners at this stage, they include the recent Group One Moyglare Stakes winner Rizeena (who has now won or placed in four successive Group events in Europe) and the Group Two placed 2YO, Jadanna, while in Australia, the Grahame Begg trained Contrite Heart saluted in town in July.

Anyone for a Statue of Liberty filly?

Rizeena - out of a Statue of Liberty mare - wins the G1 Moyglare

BEL’S MIRACLE

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 21:45:00 +0000

What a super performance by Miracle to Me (below) at headquarters on Saturday.

Still last at the 400m coming down the famous Flemington straight, the Bel Esprit 3YO had some pretty good horses in front of her: stakes winners Metastasio and Casquets, Group One winner Ruud Awakening …

But Miracle to Me just kept grinding away and while it’s the longest straight in the world when you’re on the leader, it looked as if the filly wasn’t going to make it 50m from home. Needless to say they were probably lining up to buy jockey Chris Symons a drink on Saturday night and trainer John McArdle no doubt breathed a sigh of relief when his Group One Thousand Guineas hope got up by the barest of margins.

Despite coming off a barnstorming win at Sandown at her previous outing, Miracle to Me wasn’t rated against that opposition and was sent out a $26 pop – the 9^th line of betting in a 13 horse field.

Based on Saturday’s score, you might not get those odds again for a while.

Bred and subsequently sold by Cathy Hains’ Burnewang North Pastoral, the vendor wisely decided to retain a share in the filly who is out of the winning Fuji Kiseki mare, Miracletto, closely related to multiple Flemington stakes winner, Skyrocket.

THE MOSHES ARE HERE

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 21:41:00 +0000

Plenty of oohs and aahs for the Moshe foal from Sleek’Nsassy at the Eliza Park International Open Day.

Let’s face it, most foals melt the toughest of hearts, but Moshe appears to have well and truly put the ‘stamp’ on his.

Covering 175 mares in his first season, the coming months will see a lot more foals touch down … hopefully all in the mould of what’s been presented thus far.

Tellingly, breeders obviously think so because bookings have certainly been brisk(er) since the Open Day!

Moshe ex. Sleek'Nsassy

Moshe ex. Libertas @ 17 days

Moshe ex. Quid Pro Quo @ 17 days

PREMIER HONOUR FOR PREMIER STALLION

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 21:37:00 +0000

It was a big night at the Myer Mural Hall: plenty of dignitaries including Dr Denis Napthine, Premier of Victoria and Minister for Racing, who did the honours at the Victorian Owners and Breeders Awards for season 2012/13.

One who wasn’t there though was Bel Esprit who clearly had his mind on other matters.

The Premier certainly acknowledged Bel Esprit’s impact on the breeding landscape though given that this was not only the stallion’s sixth straight champion sires’ title, but that he’s also the sire of the much beloved Black Caviar and 2013 Group One winner Bel Sprinter.

Other award winners last Thursday included Rick Jamieson (leading breeder for the third consecutive year), Eliza Park International-bred Helsinge (champion broodmare), Bel Sprinter’s breeder Glen Bailey (small breeder – surely we can find a better name than ‘small’?), Vern Rayner (TROA Outstanding Contribution to Ownership Award) and David Moodie (Super VOBIS Nominator of the Year and Country Owner of the Year), Darley Australia (Super VOBIS Owner of the Year) and the ownership group for All Too Hard (Metropolitan Owner of the Year).

“These awards recognise the dedication, commitment and hard work of breeders in Victoria over the past season,” Dr Napthine said. “The awards are also an acknowledgment of the invaluable contribution made by owners to the Victorian racing industry.”

Dr Napthine said the breeding industry is a major contributor to the economy, particularly in regional areas.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars of expenditure and many hundreds of jobs are generated annually by the thoroughbred breeding industry – mostly in regional Victoria.

The Premier with Moshe and Bel Esprit

THAT’S MR MAGNUS

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 04:21:00 +0000

Gee, there was a lot to like about the win of Mr Magnus in Singapore on Friday night.

Trained by Stephen Gray and ridden an absolute treat by the all-conquering Joao Moreira, the Magnus 4YO recorded his third win in Singapore since arriving late last year.

We’ll let the video do the talking (he’s the one running last until well into the straight) but it’s another clear example of the Magnus’ improving with age and over a mile and longer. Given that this was only his second run since May, expect to see a lot more of Mr Magnus in the winners’ enclosure in the coming months.

Linebred to Mr Prospector through a daughter and son, Mr Magnus is out of the Timber Country mare, Gamelan, in turn a daughter of multiple Group winner Reno Belle.

A NEW OPENING

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 14:24:00 +0000

The Victorian arm of Eliza Park International staged its first open day under the new banner on Friday 30 August and, as has been the case for the past decade or so, the weather gods favoured us – and so too the crowds.

Suitably wined and dined, attendees were treated a rock solid mix of established, promising and new with this year’s parade.

Stallion manager, David Grant, and his team did a superb job in turning out the boys in spectacular fashion and the likes of Bel Esprit, Wanted, Magnus and Statue of Liberty have clearly lost no fans.

Speaking of which, new kid on the block – Squamosa – gained quite a few and he’s proving to be very popular among the breeding fraternity.

One that almost stole the show though was Black Caviar’s brother, Moshe – he looked nothing short of sensational, as did one of the his first foals … the colt from Sleek’Nsassy (and he’s certainly got plenty of sass!).

SPOTLIGHT ON SQUAMOSA

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:33:00 +0000

Exciting addition to Eliza Park International’s stallion ranks, Squamosa, is the feature horse in Breednet’s Breeding Spotlight. Tara Madgwick takes a close look at the Star Thoroughbreds/Gai Waterhouse speed machine.

The Victorian breeding industry is set to be boosted by a number of new stallions this season, but only one of them has the serious speed credentials of this stunning grand-son of champion sire Redoute’s Choice.

The purple and white stars of Star Thoroughbreds are synonymous with winning at the highest level and while Golden Slipper winner and exciting young sire Sebring is the flagbearer for Denise Martin’s syndication business, another of their success stories is Eliza Park International’s new recruit Squamosa.

Bred by Arrowfield Stud, Squamosa was consigned to the Magic Millions where he immediately caught the eye of Gai Waterhouse and her selection team.

By Not a Single Doubt from stakes-winning juvenile Class Success, Squamosa was a strong, attractive athletic individual that was snapped up by Star Thoroughbreds for $140,000 making him the most expensive yearling by his sire sold in that year.

He soon showed ability to match his good looks reeling off two brilliant wins at his first two starts as a winter juvenile, before proving his talent in better company when taking out the Group III STC Run to the Rose over 1300 metres.

Set a considerable task when he drew gate 14 in a field of 15 for the $1million Group I STC Golden Rose, Squamosa used his speed to advantage to cross and lead for Nash Rawiller before being run down late and beaten a half neck by Toorak Toff on the line.

Sidelined through injury after that performance for a lengthy spell, Squamosa returned to take the Listed AJC June Stakes over 1100 metres with an explosive display that saw him career away to win by nearly five lengths.

Veteran jockey Jim Cassidy was aboard Squamosa that day and was quick to declare, “He’s a Group One sprinter without a doubt - he was explosive today ... he’s not right yet so he’s going to be pretty frightening when they get him fit.”

Sadly for his owners, Squamosa had just two more runs before retiring after just seven starts in total, his true potential never quite fulfilled.

“Squamosa was an Exceptionally fast racehorse. He possessed world class speed… he was electric,” said Gai Waterhouse.

Like his sire Not a Single Doubt, Squamosa goes to stud without a Group I win on the resume.

A well bred son of Redoute’s Choice, Not a Single Doubt was given his chance at stud by Arrowfield, despite never having won at a level higher than Listed and never having placed in Group I company.

Priced at $13,750 for his first six seasons at stud, Not a Single Doubt has had to make his own way and he’s done it in exemplary fashion.

Now the sire of 17 stakes-winners with progeny earnings topping $19million, Not a Single Doubt put the icing on the cake earlier in the year when his flying daughter Miracles of Life captured the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes.

This year his yearlings have sold for up to $300,000 and his service fee has been increased to $33,000, so Not a Single Doubt has truly arrived as a serious commercial sire, despite his humble beginnings.

Squamosa offers Victorian breeders a similar chance to get in on the ground floor of a young well-bred speed sire at a modest fee with considerable potential for future upside if his progeny run true to type.

And here’s a closer look at just what a brilliant performer he was …

THE JOCKEY

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:28:00 +0000

This has nothing to do with breeding per se … unless of course you want to take into account the efforts of Mr and Mrs Baze, but it’s a tremendous feature nevertheless about the winningest jockey in America.

Full marks to the New York Times for publishing a masterly mix of prose and visuals that make you believe it’s what the web was invented for.

http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2013/the-jockey/?_r=2&#/?chapt=introduction

NOTHING COMICAL ABOUT MAGNETO WIN

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:27:00 +0000

Well, there’s a turnaround! Just over two weeks ago, Magnus first starter, Magneto, slipped over in the mounting yard, was passed fit to run, jumped awkwardly, never stretched out, suffered minor abrasions and pulled up sore.

Needless to say, he didn’t win.

Fast forward to Monday 19 August and it’s a different story. Despite being sent out on the second last line of betting, the Danny Laws trained 4YO produced a (metaphoric) 360 and raced away to score by two lengths over the 1400m at Echuca.

Clearly a horse with a lot more ability than his debut had indicated. Bred in South Australia by the Toole family, this son of Magnus is out of the Kenmare mare, Elegant Court, a half sister to Flemington stakes winner.

X-Men fans would be well familiar with the exploits of Magneto who, evidently, hails from the House of Magnus.

BEL’S HLUDOWIG IN TUNE

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:23:00 +0000

Been meaning to ask this question for a while now. How did Hludowig get his name?

Before last Wednesday, the Bel Esprit speedster had compiled a tidy CV of wins and placings in Victoria, kicking off with a 2YO win back in May 2011 for Greg Eurell.

Now with Andrew Williamson and a new set of owners, Hludowig – which is evidently the Germanic form of Ludwig – won in sensational fashion at Eagle Farm last Wednesday, coming from near last turning for home. A very impressive performance and with two wins and a Doomben fourth since heading north, the Queensland sunshine is evidently suiting the now 5YO right down to the ground.

But that doesn’t help me with the origin of the name. By Bel Esprit out of Spartica (by Spartacus). The only Ludwig that springs to mind is Beethoven but a scan of the family hasn’t a symphony in sight?

Sure, I could ring the owners but where is the fun in that? And as if they care … as long as he keeps making music on race day, his name matters not a jot.

Photo by Graham Potter

NO HK FOR BEL’S SPRINTER

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:20:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (About Us) — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 03:05:00 +0000

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