March 12th, 2008

The Group Three SAJC Stakes was won at Morphettville on Monday in devastating fashion by slick sprinter Here de Angels. 

Jumping away best from barrier one by Craig Newitt, the son of Dehere led throughout to score a dominant three-and-a-half length win over Flying Object (Peintre Celebre ex Will Fly by Wil Dancer) in second place.

The win was a sparkling return to form for Here de Angles (ex Angelic Belle by Kenmare) who had drawn the outside gate last start when down the track behind Weekend Hussler in the Group One MRC Oakleigh Plate.  

A $90,000 purchase from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Here de Angels was purchased by Slade Bloodstock and has proven a great investment for his large group of owners winning eight races from 13 starts and earning prizemoney of $371,650.

The fourth foal and first stakes-winner for the Kenmare mare Angelic Belle, Here De Angels was bred by Lisa Randle and sold privately to Yarraman as a foal.

His dam was a minor winner at 1400 metres, but does come from the family of Group One winner Dashing Eagle and quality performers La Caissiere, Brief Embrace and Ken’s Joy.

Here de Angels is one of 58 stakes-winners worldwide for accomplished shuttle sire Dehere, who is a regular visitor to Australia.

January 14th, 2008

Talented sprinter Here de Angels resumed from a let-up to score an impressive victory in the Group Three MRC Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Trained by Lee Freedman at Rye, the son of Dehere, accelerated well over the concluding stages to win the 1100 metre sprint by nearly two lengths over Group One winner Let Go Thommo (Laranto - Memory True by Is it True).

The win came off a 10-week break after a campaign that included a victory over the queen of speed, Gold Edition in the Group 3 McEwen Stakes (1000m).  This autumn Freedman intends to aim him for the Group I Oakleigh Plate next month over the same course and distance under handicap conditions.

Unbeaten at his first six starts, Here de Angels faltered when stepped up to Group One company in the spring but with added strength and maturity, and a tough spring campaign under his belt he may well take the next step required to win a group one event.

Here De Angels has won seven races from 11 starts with earnings of more than $300,000 for his large syndicate of owners put together by leading Victorian syndicator's Slade Bloodstock.  Rob Slade secured Here de Angels for $90,000 from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

The fourth foal and first stakes-winner for the Kenmare (Fr) mare Angelic Belle, Here De Angels was bred by Lisa Randle and sold privately to Yarraman as a foal.

His dam was a minor winner at 1400 metres, but does come from the family of Group One winner Dashing Eagle and quality performers La Caissiere, Brief Embrace and Ken’s Joy.

Here de Angels is one of 58 stakes-winners worldwide for Coolmore shuttler Dehere, a regular visitor since 1995 to Australia where his best offspring include Group One winners Belle Du Jour, Defier and Bollinger. 

His service fee has fluctuated greatly over the years in line with the ebb and flow of his winners with Australian breeders paying $55,000 (inc gst) last spring.

September 2nd, 2007

Racing was back on track after the equine influenza crisis that halted racing last Saturday and in the first race of the 11-race Memsie and Ian McEwen Stakes card and Dehere's talented son Here De Angels kept his perfect record intact when he beat glamour mare Gold Edition at Caulfield on Saturday.

Here De Angels remains unbeaten after producing an extra-special effort to claim his second Group 3 feature.  Ridden by Corey Brown, Here De Angels was resuming after a short spell and looking a much more mature horse this time in and although he was against one of the smartest sprinters in the country - he elevated his own reputation by defeating Gold Edition by three-quarters-of-a-length in the Ian McEwen Stakes (1000m). 

Hall of Fame trainer, Lee Freeman, did have a couple of  reservations about running Here De Angels at the track where he nearly killed himself in the barriers, but the four-year-old showed he was past that nasty experience and with a familiar rider (Corey Brown) on his behaviour was perfect. 

"He had a horse that wouldn't go in (Snappy Tom) beside him and to his credit he stood there for a good 30 seconds without a worry," Brown told TVN. 

Here De Angels began moderately but Gold Edition was even slower away, causing Damien Oliver to use her up to some extent in the early stages to be third. 

Devil Inside and Ticklish led the field and Brown capitalised on an opportunity to ride Here De Angels off the pace, albeit wide. Although never better than three deep, he got out five horses wide rounding the turn into the straight while Oliver was held up for a run.   The opening came in time for Gold Edition but Here De Angels was in full flight and outgunned her to the line to score by three-quarters-of-a-length.  Dr Nipandtuck (Dr Fong - Clippings by Snippets) flew from last to finish third a short neck away.

Here De Angels is unbeaten in six runs with his previous wins being at Cranbourne, Moonee Valley twice, Sandown and the Group Three SAJC McKay Stakes last start at Morphettville on April 21. 

A $95,000 Magic Millions yearling, Here De Angels is now closing in on $250,000 in earnings which could increase substantially in the weeks ahead now that he has won at weight-for-age.  He is the fourth foal of the Kenmare mare Angelic Belle, a winner of two races, she is from the family of Group One winner Dashing Eagle and Group winners La Caissiere, Brief Embrace and Ken’s Joy

Here De Angels is owned by a Slade Bloodstock syndication which had so much success with champion sprinting mare Alinghi, also trained by Freedman. 

Here De Angels will have another showdown with Gold Edition  in the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 15.

August 14th, 2007

This week Alan Porter looks at the pedigree of Dehere's latest stakes winner, Lisson Grove.

By and large U.S. dirt performers have not prove to be ideal shuttle stallions for the Australian environment. That is not the case with Dehere, however, a son of the predominantly dirt influence Deputy Minister who excelled on what the Americans call “the main track.”

The leader of his generation at two, Dehere captured the Sanford Stakes (G3), Saratoga Special Stakes (G2), Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Champagne Stakes (G1). At three, injury halted Dehere’s career after just two starts, but he did underline his ability by taking the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) over subsequent Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Go For Gin and Horse of the Year Holy Bull.

Despite this background, Dehere had two factors which may well be the key to his ability to get turf runners. One is that he possessed the ability to accelerate, which while vital to a turf horse, is not always seen in dirt runners, where ability to withstand withering early pace can be the key (an example being another shuttle sire, Unbridled’s Song, a horse whose progeny a very much the ‘momentum’ type of horse, and who has excelled as a sire of dirt runners). The second potentially interesting point is that Dehere is out of a mare by Secretariat. Although he gained immortality through his achievements on the dirt, Secretariat ended his career with two brilliant performances on the turf (in this way, Dehere is somewhat like Fusaichi Pegasus – sire of Floral Pegasus and Haradasun in his first two shuttle crops. Fusaichi Pegasus only raced on dirt, but is out of a mare by Danzig, obviously a turf sire of the highest magnitude, and with a second dam by Halo, who did all of his best running on the turf).

For what ever reason, Dehere has been a major hit in Australia, siring 28 Southern Hemisphere stakes winners, including Champion Two-Year-Old Filly and Golden Slipper (G1) heroine, Belle du Jour; Defier, winner of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), George Main Stakes (G1) and Doomben Cup (G1); the Coolmore Classic (G1) captor, Bollinger; group two winners Natural Blitz, Ain’t Here, Red Hannigan and Lady Dehere; and group three scorers Galapagos Girl, Just Polite, The Man, Able Choice, Here de Angels and Captain Test.

The latest Southern Hemisphere stakes winner for Dehere is Lisson Grove. The juvenile filly didn’t finish in her first start, but has won the next two, the most recent of which was the SAJC Dermody Stakes. 

Lisson Grove’s dam, London Lights, has previously produced a very good filly in Only A Lady, winner of the AJC Flight Stakes (G1) and runner-up in the VRC Oaks (G1), and subsequently dam of Macau star, Redwood Falls. Lisson Grove has a slight relationship to Redwood Falls on the sires’ side, as Only A Lady’s sire, Sir Tristram, is a grandson of Sir Gaylord, who of course is a half-brother to Dehere’s broodmare sire, Secretariat.

London Lights is half-sister to the Summer Cup (G3) and Quality Cup (G3) winner Stoway, and is out of the New Zealand-bred Queensland Oaks (G1) winner, Travel Light. The third dam, Otalight, was a three-parts-sister to Auckland Railway Handicap and Easter Handicap winner Tudor Light (herself dam of Australasian Oaks (G1) and South Australian Oaks (G1) winner Our Tristalight, who later produced the New Zealand 2,000 Guineas (G1) winner Danske).

Two of Dehere’s best offspring, Defier and Bollinger, are out of mares by Marscay, a son of Biscay, out of a mare by the U.S. bred To Market. Lisson Grove’s dam is by Bletchingly, a son of Biscay out of a mare by Relic. The key, may be that Deputy Minister seems to throw back into concentrations of the important mare, Queen Mary, and that the Queen Mary strain is focused in the background of both To Market and Relic

April 22nd, 2007

The Coolmore based Dehere has another promising sprinter among his ranks when Here De Angels won the Group 3 Evright.com Stakes (registered name: D C McKay (1100m)) at Morphettville on Saturday.  

The talented three-year-old was up against some tough hardened older sprinters, and although he has problems going into the barriers he jumps away very quickly getting away best in the big field under Corey Brown.  With his brilliant start Brown had him travelling nicely taking the field along at a solid tempo.  Rounding the home turn, Brown got a break on his rivals and he was to claim an all-the-way victory.  It was Here De Angels' fifth from as many starts when he defeated Terango (Akhadan - Sanajaavo Grey by Sarajaavo) by a long neck, with a half-neck to El Maze (El Moxie - Almazyoon by Danehill) in third.

A $90,000 purchase for Slade Bloodstock from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Here De Angels, who dislikes the barrier stalls for trainer Lee Freedman seems to have put all misbehaviour behind him, judging by his all the way performance.  

Freedman told Sport 927 that he was considering giving the talented gelding a good spell rather than back up in the Group I Goodwood in two weeks time as he had been in work since January. 

Here de Angels is the fourth foal of the Kenmare mare Angelic Belle, a winner of two races, she is however from the family of Group One winner Dashing Eagle and Group winners La Caissiere, Brief Embrace and Ken’s Joy.

March 27th, 2007

Pistols made a winning debut at Warwick Farm on Sunday in the Listed Baillieu Handicap (1400m) from a competitive field.

By the Coolmore based Dehere, Pistols (ex Duelling Girl by Dayjur) prevailed in a three-way photo-finish in the $70,000 event and he did it carrying top-weight (58kgs) and from a shocking barrier (16).  Ridden by Darren Beadman, for trainer John Hawkes and owners Woodlands Stud, he was put under extreme pressure over the closing stages and found plenty to finish a long- head in front of his stable companion Switchblade (Fusaichi Pegasus-Dane Ripper by Danehill) another head away to Cigar Royale (Beautiful Crown - Royal Magenta). 

Pistols was purchased by his owners last year at the Easter yearling sale for $1.1 million yearling and his full-brother is for sale at next month's Inglis Easter Sale.

Pistols is the fifth foal of Duelling Girl, whose other progeny to race include the Australian stakes winner Keep The Faith (by Sunday Silence).

The Baillieu is traditionally the first 1400-metre contest staged in Sydney for each 2-year-old generation and is invariably won by a horse destined for bigger and better things. Indeed, last year’s renewal was fought out by Mentality and Excites, subsequent winners of last autumn's Group One AJC Champagne Stakes (1600m) and Group One AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes respectively.

Fans of the progeny of Dehere have 14 lots to select from at the Australian Easter yearling sale set down for April 10 - 12th.

September 20th, 2006

Here De Angels kept his winning record in perfect shape with another game victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday in the AJS Corporation Hcp (1200m).

Here De Angels had come off a excellent win at the Valley in very fast time at his second career outing and although his coat still wasn't right and his manners were not the best in the mounting yard, Here De Angels worked into the race behind Muzdaher (Stravinsky - Gazebo by Snaadee) who was best to begin from barrier one.  

Once Here De Angels (ex Angelic Belle by Kenmare) got to the front he was never headed and showed courage to hold off Muzdaher by a head.  

Far Horizons (Scenic - Always Forever by Snippets) was another four lengths away in third.

Here De Angels clocked a slick 46.80 for his last half-mile and ran 11.7 for his final furlong and it should be noted not many horses break 12seconds for their last furlong at Moonee Valley.  

Here De Angels is another success story for the Slade Bloodstock syndicate team, the Manager Rob Slade, said the colt had shown the Lee Freedman stable plenty of ability right from the time he was first tested. "Lee has always had a good opinion of him. He's shown a lot of ability."

"He's now gone to another level now.  

We may send him out for a spell to grow," Slade said.

Slade purchased Here De Angels from the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling sale paying $90,000 for the son of Dehere. 

Here De Angels is raced by Corinna Slade, the Twenty Black Syndicate, Syd Baulch, Bill Power, the Flying Horses Syndicate, Glenn Gardiner, the Platinum Racing Syndicate, the Hong Kong Breeders Club Syndicate and Paul and Simone Damjanovic.  All up there are 25 owners in Here De Angels when all of the members of the syndicate are included.

August 31st, 2006

Here De Angels looked a potential top liner when he made it two runaway wins from as many starts in the Watsons Catering Equipment Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Wednesday. 

A colt by Coolmore Stud's proven star sire Dehere, Here De Angels made a mess of his rivals, cruising to a four and a quarter length victory to the cheers of his syndicate of owners.  Carrying the Alinghi silks of Slade Bloodstock, Here De Angels was sent out the hot favourite on the strength of his four length maiden win at Cranbourne just under two weeks ago.

On that occasion winning rider Matthew Allen told connections the exciting three-year-old "had gears" and he didn't get out of second. On Wednesday, Allen suggested he hardly got above third!

"He's a very exciting horse," Allen said. "He couldn't have been more impressive when he won his maiden and again today."
"He'll be winning more races."

Syndicate manager Rob Slade said the colt had shown the Lee Freedman stable plenty of ability right from the time he was first tested.
"Lee has always had a good opinion of him. He's shown a lot of ability."

"He's now gone to another level (from the maiden win) and he looks to be going places that's for sure," Slade reported.
Slade, who operates successful Moonee Valley based syndication company Slade Bloodstock with wife Corinna, purchased Here De Angels for $90,000 at last year's Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast.

The Slade operation is best known for unearthing and racing the superstar filly Alinghi.
Lee's brother Anthony, deputising for the stable at the Valley, said they were "only a few" others in the stable who could go with Here De Angels.

"I'm not sure what's in store for him," Anthony Freedman said of the Caulfield Guineas entrant.
"I guess we'll have to keep stepping him up (in grade). He certainly has a heap of ability," Freedman added.
Freedman said the Caulfield Guineas may not be ideal this early in the colt's racing career.
"He may not be ready for a mile just yet," he reported.

"But he is a very, very talented horse and he still looks a bit wintery and has more improvement."
Here De Angels is raced by Corinna Slade, the Twenty Black Syndicate, Syd Baulch, Bill Power, the Flying Horses Syndicate, Glenn Gardiner, the Platinum Racing Syndicate, the Hong Kong Breeders Club Syndicate and Paul and Simone Damjanovic.

All up there are 25 owners in Here De Angels when all of the members of the syndicate are included.

August 6th, 2006

At Caulfield on Saturday, Dehere's son, Dewabbit, resumed from a lengthy spell and showing great speed and plenty of determination he took out the Yalumba Masters (1000m). 

Ridden by Luke Nolen, Dewabbit (ex Gold Design by Raise a Cup) jumped away quickly from barrier two to go straight to the led.  Dewabbit was able to get a break a furlong out from the post to hold off a late challenge from Gowiththeheart (Show a Heart - Polishing by Imperial Prince), who was held up for a run until the last 300m, to score by a short-half-head.

Top weight Catechuchu (Catbird - Noble Fleur by Dahar) was a length away in third spot.

In winning his maiden victory, Dewabbit, paid some of his purchase price off as his owner Tosh Murphy had paid $75,000 for him from the draft of Blue Gum Farm as agent, on behalf of Kevin Heffernan, at the 2005 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Although, Dewabbit appears very straight in front his trainer Peter Moody has given him plenty of time and it has paid off. 

March 28th, 2006

Cenotaph collared the heavily backed Industrious on the line in the Frame Shop Moonee Ponds Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Trained by Robert Smerdon and ridden by Mark Zahra, the two-year-old gelding was having his third career start and returned his second win in good fashion after racing wide with a big weight to score by a short head victory.

Industrious (Zedivate - Sleep Time Girl by Century) began only fairly with Matt Pumpa driving her through to hold the rails, relaxing nicely in front.  She was able to kick clear at the top of the straight with Cenotaph grabbing her on the line.  Sweet Valentina (Last Tycoon - Sweet Delight by Rancho Ruler), did plenty wrong and ran home to grab third a length-and-three-quarters away. 

Cenotaph (ex Oubaladee by Sir Laurence) won at his Mornington debut and then ran on bravely in the highly competitive Inglis 2YO (SW) (1200m) event at Caulfield behind Follow the Till.  Making his form hard to knock and with Smerdon adding blinkers to his gear first time it was a good enough lead to think this youngster might be above average.

15th January 2006 

Sydney trainer Clarry Conners is eyeing his fifth Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) in the autumn with Mirror Mirror after the filly did what Belle Du Jour couldn't by winning the $1 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The race was a triumph for millionaire adman John Singleton and his Strawberry Hill stud syndicate which landed the quinella when Mirror Mirror upset a huge plunge on the David Hayes-trained Churchill Downs (Danehill - Silken Whisper by Diesis).

Mirror Mirror (ex Fiar Vanity by Rustic Amber) came from near last to score a convincing 1-3/4 length win over Churchill Downs who was sensationally backed from $4.60 in to $3.80.

Queenslander Reigart (Iglesia - Subtle Siesta by Seattle Siesta) was caught three wide most of the trip and produced a mighty performance to fill the minor placing a further long head away.

Conners has won four Golden Slippers with Prowl, Burst, Tierce and Belle Du Jour, who was runner-up to Assertive Lad in the 2000 Magic Millions, and he's confident Mirror Mirror can equal Dance Hero's feat of winning the Magic Millions-Golden Slipper double.

In a major surprise, Singleton was not trackside much to the frustration of local punters who were expecting the larrikin co-owner of the Magic Millions to produce his customary shout at the bar.

Singleton's wife, Julie, said she was unaware of husband's whereabouts but Magic Millions boss David Chester confirmed he was not at the track and missed one of the greatest thrills of his life by not witnessing his quinella.

Mirror Mirror, a $120,000 buy at last year's Magic Millions sale, was named after Belle Du Jour because of her striking resemblance and the fact she is by the same stallion, Dehere.

The Dehere filly was deliberately ridden back in the field by Danny Beasley who learnt a lesson the hard way after she was beaten into fifth place behind Assertive at Randwick last start.

"It was a big performance and Danny rode her perfectly," Conners said.

"She raced too close to the lead at Randwick and I told Danny to ride her quietly in this.

"But the plan wasn't to get that far back."

Churchill Downs produced an eye-catching performance after missing the start badly, yet Hayes refused to use the poor beginning as an excuse.

"Missing the start wasn't an excuse. Greenness beat him and you can't afford to be green on this track," he said.

"The winner was back with him on the turn.

"He's a galloping goldmine and I'm going to protect him."

Jockey Craig Williams backed up Hayes' opinion by blaming the track for the defeat and not his tardy start.

October 3rd, 2005

Sporting the same silks as John Singleton’s former top-class juvenile Belle Du Jour, Mirror Mirror kick-started her racing career in fine style by winning the Listed Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday. 

Mirror Mirror raced up on the speed in the 1,000m dash and in a stirring battle down the straight, proved a touch too strong for the Waterhouse trained Fleur Royale (Royal Academy - Azalea by Marscay). 

Singleton will no doubt be hoping Mirror Mirror can emulate Belle Du Jour’s 2000 Golden Slipper victory when she scored one of the most miraculous wins in the history of the race after bombing the start.

Trained by Clarry Conners and ridden by Danny Beasley Mirror Mirror won by a half-head in a time of 58.69seconds.

Singleton said, “He [Clarrie Conners] picked her out as a mirror version of Belle De Jour [at the sales], hence the name, and if she’s half as good as her we’ll be very happy” he said.

Singleton races the filly with wife Julie and good mate Gerry Rose.

The similarities between the two don’t end there. Mirror Mirror, like Belle Du Jour, is by Arrowfield stallion Dehere. She was purchased by Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud at the Magic Millions Sale for $120,000 from Rosari Farm and is out of the Rustic Amber mare, Fair Vanity. 

June 6th, 2005

The track was very firm at Eagle Farm on Saturday and that suited Natural Blitz just fine - with a dominant win in the Group Two O'Shea Stakes (2400m).

Natural Blitz (ex Mohave Dancer by Zabeel) easily had the better of Zumanity (O'Reilly - Zahn by Grosvenor) scoring by 2-1/4 lengths with Regal Punch (Forever Regal - Pride of Sarah by Pride of Kellina) a half-neck away in third.

With plenty of early speed on allowing, Michael Cahill to get Natural Blitz across from barrier 19 into a handy spot early.  Settling well for Cahill, Natural Blitz travelled kindly with cover out wide.  Once the field swung for home Natural Blitz got out into the clear and let down quickly running home with his ears pricked giving the Dehere five-year-old his eighth win.

Trained at Cranbourne by Doug Harrison who said that "He'll go out for a break now and we'll bring him back for a late spring," Harrison said. 

"We might even hope for a trip to Hong Kong for the 2400 metre international race." 

Natural Blitz's owners are based in Hong Kong. 

January 23rd, 2005

The resurgence of Red Hannigan continued at Sandown on the Hillside course when he took out the City of Greater Dandenong Cup (1300m) on Saturday. 

Trained out of Lee Freedman's five-star training establishment at Rye, Red Hannigan has a new lease on life with three wins from seven starts this preparation for his connections. 

A stakes winning juvenile, Red Hannigan (ex Vital Consent by Pre Emptive Strike) nearly always carries top weight and on Saturday with the help of Damien Oliver, Red Hannigan settled off the pace and stormed down the outside to win by a length over Twisted Times (Mukaddamah - Twisted Bliss by Canny Lad) with Air Cooled (Volksraad - Winter White by Sir Godfrey) three-quarters of a length away third.

Red Hannigan may back up in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. 

September 19th, 2004

The return to form of Dehere’s five-year old son Natural Blitz in the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens gave his trainer and part owner Doug Harrison something to smile about after two poor performances on wet tracks in his home state Victoria.  

The five-year-old stallion who refuses to let down on rain-affected tracks in Melbourne forced Harrison's hand to make the trip North from Cranbourne to Sydney after being frustrated at the spate of rain-affected tracks.  His dogged victory in the $140,000 Group 2 was just reward for his connections as it had been over twelve months and ten runs since Natural Blitz’s last victory in the 2003 MVRC Feehan Stakes.

Natural Blitz had a long-head winning margin over Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray (Zabeel - Real Success by Success Express) with another half-length to Dehere's daughter Just Polite (ex Polly's Pocket by Pirate's Bounty) in third.

Natural Blitz clocked 34.05seconds for his final 600m section and ran the 1900m in 1:56.62.

Purchased for $85,000 from the 2001 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale, Natural Blitz takes his record to 6 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds from 31 starts for earnings of $831,030. He also owns stakes victories in the Shannons Classic (G2) and Tulloch Stakes (G2) and was runner-up to champion Northerly in the Australian Cup (G1).

Harrison has trained the first two foals out of Natural Blitz’s dam Mohave Dancer (Zabeel) the 1996 Reginald Allen Hcp. (LR) winner that also ran third to Assertive Lass and Dashing Eagle in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes. Assertive Lass’s son So Assertive (Zabeel) started favourite in the Hill Stakes and looked all over a winner until weakening in the last 50 metres to finish fourth.

The first foal of Mohave Dancer was the Thunder Gulch colt Super Blitz who was purchased by Harrison for $155,000 at the 2000 Adelaide Magic Millions sale. Super Blitz returned $85,000 of his purchase price as a two-year old with a win in the VATC Super Vobis 2 YO H. (1000 m.), second in the MVRC William Inglis Cup (LR), third in the SAJC Magic Millions Classic and fourths in the SAJC Breeders' Stakes (G2) and VATC Debutant Stakes (LR). He was exported to Hong Kong at three where he has won a further 2 races for earnings of over $500,000.

September 13th, 2004

Just Polite became Dehere's 57th stakes winner in taking out the G3 Kingston Town stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Prepared by Shaun Dwyer from Deagon,  Just Polite had a very good record but had never won past 1600m, although she had been getting home well in weaker company in Queensland.  Ridden by top jockey Dan Beasley,  Just Polite enjoyed a good run in the middle of the field with Beasley waiting until the last 150m before making his run.  

Sprinting hard the last fifty metres Just Polite finished too strongly to claim a half-length victory over race favourite Seul Amour (Zabeel - Grand Archway by Archway) with New York Style (Desert Style - Harlem by Vice Regal) a short neck away in third.

Dwyer said that he will send Just Polite (ex Polly's Pocket by Pirate's Bounty) to Victoria to contest the Matriarch Stakes Series at Flemington starting with the G3 Jayco Stakes (1400m) on October 2. 

September 6th, 2004

At Morphettville on Saturday, apprentice Matt Neilson sat as quiet as a church mouse on the flying Starhere to record a fast win in the Perks Business Services Handicap.

Neilson, jumped Starhere to the lead and he was never headed to claim his sixth victory at his 19th outing.  Starhere's (ex Frontier Star by Luskin Star) winning margin although only a head was impressive as it was his first run back this campaign after a long 25 week layoff.  

Starhere ran the 1050m in 1:00.82 covering his last 600m section in a slick 35.50 seconds.

August 15th, 2004

At Eagle Farm on Saturday, Just Polite made it two wins in a row in the Our Rosalee Handicap (1600m).

Ridden off the speed, by inform jockey Jim Byrne, Just Polite (ex Polly's Pocket by Pirate's Bounty) looked to be in a awkward position, some five lengths back on the turn. That deficit, coupled with the fact that Just Polite took some time to wind up in the home stretch, meant that she still had it all to do with 200m left to run, but she quickly built a winning momentum, producing a strong finishing effort to claim a three-quarters-of-a-length victory over The Bandit (Danzero - Loch Lady by Lomond) giving Arrowfield stallions the quinella. 

Just Polite, who is trained by Shaun Dwyer, has now won three of her last four starts, over three different distances at three different tracks. 

August 2nd, 2004

At Doomben on Saturday the Shaun Dwyer-trained Just Polite (ex Polly's Pocket by Pirate's Bounty) rounded off a good season for Dehere with a 1-3/4 length victory in the Bottlemaret Class 6 Handicap (1640m).

Dehere ended the 2003-04 season with 59 individual winners and three stakes winners.  His top earner Defier (ex Lilande by Marscay) took out G1 Doomben Cup, Natural Blitz (ex Mohave Dancer by Zabeel) claimed the MVRC's G2 John F. Feehan Stakes and Super Groove (ex Tyrises by Last Tycoon) collected the listed MRC Kevin Heffernan Stakes.

July 26th, 2004

Good looking grey Dehere mare, Zakynthos Star recorded her seventh career victory and set a new class record in the C V D Welfare Handicap at Warwick Farm on  Saturday for her connections.

Ridden by Darren Beadman, who made a bold move early in the race held Wasimah (Danehill - Kapchat by Centaine) by a half-length with Template (Thunder Gulch - Sillusion by Mr Illusion) 2 lengths away in third.

Zakynthos Star (ex Princess Zakynthos by Spectacular Spy) recorded 1:10.33 for the 1200m, her pet distance, covering the final 600m in 34.75.  

July 4th, 2004

The Sunshine Coast concluded it's successful Caloundra City Cup raceday with the XXXX Handicap.  The race was taken out in good fashion by the four-year-old Dehere mare Just Polite.

Having her second run this campaign Just Polite (ex Polly's Pocket by Pirate's Bounty) was suited by the distance rise from her previous outing of 1100 to the 1400m of the XXXX.  Just Polite had a length too spare over Aquatic Drive (Sea Road - Fairy Waltz by Red Tony) and Prophet Jewel (Encosta de Lago - Factor by Centaine) a head away in third. 

May 30th, 2004

The success of Defier in the Group One Doomben Cup on Saturday vindicates John Messara's decision to shuttle Dehere to Australia again. 

At Doomben racecourse on Saturday the Guy Walter-trained 6-year old broke a 14-month, 11-race losing streak with a dominating performance in the $500,000 Group 1, weight-for-age event over 2200 metres. 

A solid tempo was set by Chris Munce aboard So Assertive (Zabeel), who was bounced straight to the lead followed by This Manshood (Manshood), General Minolta (Nediym) and the favourite St Basil (Vettori).

Ridden by Hugh Bowman, who positioned Defier behind St Basil on the rail to enjoy a good run for the first three-quarters of the event, at the point of the turn, Bowman peeled out three wide. For a stride the decision looked like a bad one, as Nash Rawiller on Pentastic, made the most of the fence opening to pinch three lengths and draw level with Defier.  However, the burst of acceleration that has made him such a formidable WFA performer Defier set down to a battle with the ever-consistent Pentastic. 

Defier came away over the closing stages to defeat Pentastic (Pentire - Miss Minden by Bellotto) by 1 ¼-lengths with Upsetthym (Rhythm - Set Up by Zabeel) putting a fine Brisbane Cup trial a further 4 ¾-lengths back in third place. The time was a course record 2:11.67. 

It was the first Group 1 win for Hugh Bowman who leaves next week for a short stint in Ireland. 

“It really is a proud moment for me and so satisfying because I’ve always believed I had it in me” said Bowman. 

It is the seventh stakes win and the third at Group 1 level for Defier who has battled hoof problems throughout his career. 

“This horse is all class and heart,” said a relieved trainer Guy Walter. 

The overall record for Defier reads 10 wins, 6 seconds and 8 thirds from 34 starts for earnings of $2,974,450. His Previous group 1 victories came in the AJC George Main Stakes and AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes while he has also placed in two editions of Australia's number one weight-for-age race the W.S. Cox Plate as well as the George Ryder Stakes, George Main Stakes, All Aged Stakes and Caulfield Stakes. 

An $80,000 purchase by Anthony Cummings at the 1999 Magic Millions Gold Coast sale Defier moved to the stables of the now Hong Kong based John Size before finishing up in the yard of Guy Walters'. 

Bred by Bhima Stud, Defier is the first foal of the unplaced Marscay mare Lilande a sister to the stakes-placed winner Salimar and a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Champion Australasian three-year old filly Triscay. The winner of 15 races and almost $2 million in earnings Triscay (Marscay-Tristram’s Lady by Sir Tristram) her triumphs included the AJC Oaks (G1), Champagne Stakes (G1), Flight Stakes (G1), QTC Oaks and VRC Australian Guineas (G1). 

Defier is the only winner from the four foals to race out of Lilande who was sold at the 2003 Easter Broodmare Sale to Arrowfield Stud for $325,000. She was served by Dehere last season.

May 23rd, 2004

Dehere's four-year-old son Heraklid made it back-to-back wins in taking out the Woodlands Series (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Heraklid (ex Gold N' Lace by Gold and Ivory) again dictated terms to suit and showed his courage in a tight finish to hold on by a short-head over top weight Mr Aristos (Danewin - Princess Yeats by Yeats) with a nose to Verb (Zabeel - Darra Princess by Vain) in third.

In recording his sixth win, Heraklid proved his metal by running a class record of 1:29.00 for 1500m, coming home over the last 600m in 35.36 seconds.

May 16th, 2004

Veteran trainer Syd Brown has only two horses in work and both have won in the last month, and on Saturday at Randwick it was Heraklid's turn in the Percy Marks Handicap (1600m) with jockey Brent Stanley dictating the race from the word go, he was far too strong for his six rivals.

Stanley took Heraklid to the front and after a furlong slowed the tempo right down which was never going to suit a backmarker like the top weight Goldwina, who was carrying 59kgs. 

Fastways  sat just behind Heraklid on the outside and although he fought on well in the home straight, Heraklid had too much in the tank. 

Heraklid (ex Gold N' Lace by Gold And Ivory) scored a length win from Fastways (Success Express - A matter of Taste by torn Rolfe) with Goldwina (Marwina - Delva Gold by Akaaber)getting home when it was all over to finish third by a long neck. 

February 22nd, 2004

Four-year-old Dehere mare Madam Dehereos backed up well seven days after running one of her worst races of her career under very hot conditions at the same course to greet her connections in the winners enclosure at Cheltenham Park on Saturday.

Madam Dehereos scored a comfortable three-quarters-of-a-length victory in the Marsh Handicap (1260m) defeating Golden Whirl (Sir Dapper - Vapour Whirl by Cool Ted). 

Dimness (Varick - Belle Gonzesse by Prego) was a nose away in third.

Prepared by Tony McEvoy, Madam Dehereos chalked up her fourth victory from 17 starts taking her earnings passing $125,000. 

December 29th, 2003

Another metropolitan double for Arrowfield's top Stallion, Dehere on Saturday.  At Rosehill The Man (ex Lycra by Tights), gave his trainer Paul Sutherland the second leg of his winning double with win.  
The Man took out the Fairmont Homes Handicap (1500m).  

Ridden by promising apprentice Jay Ford, he box seated on The Man before hooking out to wear down leader Sunshine Sam (Desert Sun - Crest View by Top Post) in the shadows of the post.

Sutherland welcomed the change of fortune after The Man finished second at his last two runs, beaten a long head and short neck respectively.

The Man scored by a long head with 2-3/4 lengths to Goldwina (Marwina - Elva Gold by Akaaber) in third place.

Then in the last race at Sandown on the Lakeside track Dare To Be Proud (ex Proudest by Sir Tristram) had a nice run just behind the pace to come home with well-timed three-quarters-of-a-length win in the Monomeith Handicap (2400m).  

November 16th, 2003

On a hot Sandown Classic day, Dehere's son Super Groove bounced back to claim the Listed Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1200m).

Only having his ninth race start Super Groove looked terrific in the mounting yard and although he had not raced for over a month he was presented very fit by his trainer Tony Noonan. 

Noonan rates Super Groove as a sprinter of considerable promise and he had previously showed some class when he beat True Glo (Brief Truce) at Moonee Valley on March 22, then he finished second in both the Listed Redelva Stakes at Cheltenham and Group 2 Yallambee Classic at Morphettville. 

A grey son of Dehere, he appeared disappointing when only beating two of his 20 opponents home in the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap, although he did wear blinkers for the first time on that occasion.  Super Groove then reappeared with another disappointing effort when last in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on October 18, a subsequent report said he had a virus, it was also the first time that Super Groove had been ridden off the speed, and his inexperience showed as he pulled he also and got numerous bumps from his more seasoned competitors, so no doubt that experience would have toughened him up.  

Noonan picked yesterday's race out solely for it's weight-for-age conditions, then with only a small field he was prepared to give Super Groove another chance against his older competitors.   

Ridden to perfection by Steve King, who settled the gelding off the pace King, angled him out to the middle of the Lakeside course and Super Groove unwound a big finish, in doing so he also had a good kill nailing the four-year-old Pentire mare Recurring (ex Donna's Habit by Ashabit) in the shadows of the post to score by a half-length with a half-neck back to Rustic Mist (Rustic Amber - Little Libbie by Cerreto) in third. 

Bred by Bart Cummings and Dato Tan Chin Nam, Super Groove was a bargain $12,000 purchase at the 2001 Inglis Winter Yearling sale.   He is the third foal of the unraced Last Tycoon mare Tyrises who is a half-sister to the very smart Purple Groove (Rhythm) another Tony Noonan-trainee, which won the 2002 VRC Let’s Elope Stakes (LR) in addition to finishing second in the VRC Nestle Peters Classic (G2), third in the VRC Jayco Stakes (G3) and fourth in the VRC Emirates Stakes (G1) and STC Coolmore Classic (G1). 

Super Groove is a half-brother to the promising 3-year old Anabaa gelding Taikum who is undefeated in his two starts. 

Tyrises has an unraced 2-year old Peintre Celebre colt named Brunelleschi, which is also in the Noonan stable after being purchased at the Easter Yearling Sale for $105,000, unfortunately Tyrises has missed in past two seasons.

November 9th, 2003

Dehere gelding, Starhere (ex Frontier Star by Luskin Star), is in fine form yesterday at Morphettville he made it two wins in a row and in doing so collected another track record running a sizzling 0:56.83 seconds for the 1000m journey.

Starting favourite Starhere scored by three-quarters-of-a-length from Magique Sky (Hurricane Sky - De Beauvoir by Kenmare), giving Arrowfield stallion's the quinella, with Noble Win (Blevic - Confessor's Halo by Don't Say Halo) just a neck away in third.

October 26th, 2003

Dehere's five-year-old gelding son Starhere bounced back from an unlucky third at Cheltenham to greet his connections in the winners enclosure at Morphettville on Saturday.

Starhere had his blinkers back on again yesterday and never looked at any stage of not winning to claim the City of West Torrens 150 Flying Handicap (1100m) by an easy 1-1/4 lengths over Zedimbi (Zeditave - Harvest Bird by Marauding) with the same margin back to Winning Spirit (Marwina - Whiskey Reign by Whiskey Road) in third.

October 5, 2003

Dehere's five-year-old son Red Hannigan (ex Vital Consent by Pre Emptive Strike) never looked like he was going to be defeated in the Bacardi Breezer Transitional Plate (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Red Hannigan appeared a lot fitter than he did in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap on September 27th and he never gave his rider Dan Beasley a moment's worry.  When Beasley allowed Red Hannigan more rein over the rise Red Hannigan let down and ran out a strong 5-length winner defeating Lachaim (Euclase - Circle of Life by Persian Heights). 

September 28, 2003

Five-year-old son of Dehere's, Starhere (ex Frontier Star by Luskin Star) made a stunning return to racing after a short spell with a sizzling win in the Christmas Twilight @ Cheltenham Park Handicap (1000m) at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Starhere stopped the clock at 55.90 seconds, although the race was hand timed, that's scorching the turf! He beat Miss Eucalypt (Euclase - Vale O' the Gums by Twig Moss) by three-quarters-of-a-length while Grand Mansion (New Regent - Trendy Lass by Raimondo) held third another half-neck away.

September 14, 2003

Arrowfield Stud's Dehere has another top-liner in Natural Blitz who looks set to play a major role in Melbourne this spring following a stylish victory in the G2 John F Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Natural Blitz hasn't had much luck at his recent outings of late so his rider Kerrin McEvoy must have devised tactics to ensure that the son of Dehere received an uninterrupted run.   As Natural Blitz's style of racing needs luck any way, he drops out to the rear of the field and does not like being ridden other wise.   

Come back gelding De Gaulle Lane (The Commander -D'Accord by Straight Strike) jumped to the early led and took the field along at a good clip.  McEvoy had a handful of horse as Natural Blitz circled the entire field as they rounded the home turn.  Natural Blitz did want to duck in at the 150m peg, but once McEvoy straightened him up they quickly picked up Vocabulary (Encosta de Lago - Lady Linguist by Marauding) in the shadows of the post to score a narrow (short-neck) but highly impressive win with early leader De Gaulle Lane battling on well for third another 1-1/4 lengths away.  

Natural Blitz had improved condition wise since his ninth in the Craiglee Stakes at Flemington and his coat appeared healthier his win was well deserved and his third Group 2 success. 

An $85,000 purchase by trainer Doug Harrison at the 2001 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale, Natural Blitz has a record of 5 wins 2 seconds and 3 thirds from 21 starts for earnings of $726,130.

Natural Blitz is the second foal of 1996 Reginald Allen Handicap (LR) winner Mohave Dancer, a daughter of Zabeel, which ran third to Assertive Lass and Dashing Eagle in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes. Harrison also trained the first foal Mohave Dancer the Thunder Gulch colt Super Blitz who Harrison purchased for $155,000 at the 2000 Adelaide Magic Millions sale. Super Blitz returned $85,000 of his purchase price as a two-year old with a win in the VATC Super Vobis 2 YO H. (1000 m.), second in the MVRC William Inglis Cup (LR), third in the SAJC Magic Millions Classic and fourths in the SAJC Breeders' Stakes (G2) and VATC Debutant Stakes (LR). The following season Super Blitz was exported to Hong Kong where he has won a further 2 races and placed 4 times from 12 starts for earnings of over $500,000.

Mohave Dancer has a two-year old filly by Fasliyev and she recently foaled a filly by Fusaichi Pegasus on August 26.

Later the same day at Kembla Grange in New South Wales, another son of Dehere's, Penetrator (ex Dupion by Bletchingly) scored a three-length win in the Beechwood Homes Transitional Handicap.

August 9, 2003.

Five-year-old Dehere mare, Russian Caravan bounced from barrier seven to led all the way in the Jack Ingham Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Saturday.

Russian Caravan had been struggling to recapture her winning form and was perfectly rated in front by Steve King.  She safely held Aka Bilk (Al Akbar - Nantucket Sound by Sir Tristram) by two lengths with another five-and-a-half-lengths back to Sir Bollinger (Ashkalani - Ameerat-Bladdi by Kenmare) in third.

The win was Russian Caravan's fifth career victory and took her earnings past $170,000, she was purchased by Killarney Pastoral from the 1998 William Inglis Easter yearling sale from the Segenhoe Stud draft for $315,000.

Dehere's second winner of the day was at Newcastle. Carnival Lass (ex Zarissa by Zabeel) stepped out as an odds on favourite to break her maiden status over 1400 metres.

July 20, 2003

Dehere's flying mare Zakynthos Star kept up her impressive strike rate at 1200m with her win in the Magic Millions Handicap, her sixth from seven starts at the distance on Saturday at Rosehill.

A natural frontrunner, she was hassled for the lead by Covet Thee but got the upper hand before the turn and stuck to her task in the straight to hold off Celestia (Royal Academy - Our Celerity by Sackford) by a half-length with Beryl (Bite the Bullet - Bespangled by Chief's Crown) running on for third a half-neck away.

Zakynthos Star is out of Princess Zakynthos (Spectacular Spy), who was lightly raced recording a lone win from 4 starts. Zakynthos Star is her first foal, and has an un-named rising three-year-old filly by Honour And Glory, she has an unnamed two-year-old filly and a unnamed yearling filly by Zakynthos Island.  She was covered by Dehere last season but she subsequently missed.

July 13, 2003.

Dehere's four-year-old bay son, Prior Minister won the Carlton Draught Handicap (1600m) at Morphettville, on Saturday. 

Prior Minister (ex Tessuti by Sackford) won by three-quarters-of-a-length from Moet Now (Shuttlecock Corner - Babelle by Francis Bacon) with Billy Rascal (Bill - Brooke's Star by Amen Brother) a length-and-a-quarter away third. 

Prior Minister ran out the 1600m in 1:38.71, covering the final 600m in 38.02 seconds.

July 6, 2003

Continuously made up for her luckless run a week earlier at Ipswich to bounce back and land the XXXX Fillies Class 6 Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. 

The Dehere mare, looked well placed after her seventh behind Ta Ta Tatiana when she was blocked for a run at a vital stage, in a small field she gave her connections no cause for concern at Caloundra.  

Coninuously (ex Our Brigetta by Brigand) scored by a neck from Sha Alma (Semipalatinsk - Sha-Michelle by Making Time) with Belle Parez (Mighty Avalanche - Miss Sea Green by Green Dancer) a length away third. 

June 30, 2003

Dehere's daughter Zakynthos Star (ex Princess Zakynthos by Spectacular Spy) took out the Sunday Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Sunday.

April 20, 2003.

It was the richest race-day in Australia the G1 Australian Derby and Doncaster Handicap and with 45,000 people in attendance the weather was not kind as it was a rainy, overcast autumn day and in the last race on the card of a little bonnie bay filly called Bollinger stepped out as favourite. 

Bollinger was set a task to race in conditions she had never raced in during her short but spectacular career and she had to face the boys in the G3 San Miguel South Pacific Classic (1400m), on Saturday April 19, 2003.  

Bollinger jumped quickly from gate 13 and took up her usual role as race leader, with her usual enthusiasm and pricked her ears.  Bollinger had plenty of pressure applied mid-race and she showed the colts all of her fighting attributes.   Tackled by Sportsman (Supremo - Professionelle by Centaine) at the top of the long Randwick straight Bollinger refused to allow Sportsman past her and fought tooth and nail to hold him on the line.

Ridden confidentially by Chris Munce, Bollinger had just extended her winning sequence to four in a row with only half-a-head separating her from Sportsman with 2-3/4 lengths back to Wide Awake (Quest of Fame - Insomniac by Danehill) in third.

Bollinger is the fourth foal and third stakes winner from the Golden Slipper winning Marscay mare Bint Marscay.  Bint Marscay has also produced Mannington (by Danehill) winner of the G3 Blue Diamond Fillies Preview & the LR VRC Talindert Stakes and Sheraton (By Woodman) who took the G3 Blue Diamond Preview.  Bint Marscay's first foal Beam (by Scenic) is the dam of the untried Quest for Fame 2YO Big Picture, who is currently in work with Lee Freedman who was the trainer of Bint Marscay.

On the same day in South Australia at Australia's biggest picnic meeting held at Oakbank, Autoplay (ex Gamble On by by Beldale Flutter) swooped home to break her maiden status in the Four 'n' Twenty Handicap (1400m) on a good track.

April 13, 2003

The talented Natural Blitz (ex Mohave Dancer - Zabeel) wove his way through the field to claim the G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday, April 12.

Natural Blitz held Platinum Scissors (Danehill - Shantha's Choice) by 1-1/4 lengths with So Assertive (Zabeel - Assertive Lass) 2 lengths back in third.

Raced by his trainer Doug Harrison with loyal stable clients, Natural Blitz proved he is a worthy AJC Derby contender at Randwick on Saturday, April 19. 

Natural Blitz's win was his fourth career victory and took his earnings past $500,000, a tidy profit for his connections, as Harrison purchased Natural Blitz from the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale in 2001 from the Mill Park draft fro just $85,000. 

April 5, 2003.

Dehere kept his strike rate up when his daughter, Continuously (ex Our Brigetta by Brigand) took out the Southport Workers Community Club Class 3 Handicap at the Gold Coast on Saturday, April 5.

Continuously claimed victory by half-a-neck over Nattie (Just Awesome - Verge) with Omitrader (Unbridled's Song - Our Side Show) another 2-3/4 lengths away in third.  

March 31, 2003

The foresight of Arrowfield Stud's chief John Messara was proved once again at Rosehill on Saturday. After Dehere remained in the northern hemisphere for a couple of seasons, Messara decided last year to bring him back to Australia for 2002, a decision that was thoroughly vindicated again when Bollinger took out, the G1 Coolmore Classic (1500m). 

Bollinger became the third Group 1 winner for Dehere this season after she breezed to victory in Australia's only Group One race for fillies and mares at Rosehill on Saturday, March 29.

Bollinger (ex Bint Marscay by Marscay) was given a positive ride by Chris Munce who had little hesitation in sitting behind the early leader Ancient Song (Canny Lad - Hello Lottie) mid-race Munce took over the running and from there on in the Dehere filly never looked in doubt of losing.

In the straight Munce gave Bollinger a little more rein and she simply extended her lead to put 1-1/4 lengths on Lovely Jubly (Lion Hunter - Jaboulet), with the 4yo Melbourne invader Galapagos Girl (Dehere - Reigntaine) three-quarters of a length away third. 

Bollinger joins Defier and Belle Du Jour as Dehere's southern hemisphere Group One winners this racing season.

March 23, 2003

The impact of Dehere on the local racing scene continued with yet another metropolitan winning treble over the week-end. 

Super Groove (ex Tyrises by Last Tycoon) got the ball rolling when he made it three wins from four starts in the opening race of the day on the Australia Stakes card at Moonee Valley on Saturday, March 15.

Super Groove jumped quickly from barrier nine, however, his rider Nash Rawiller was forced to sit three deep on the speed.  Super Groove rounded the turn in the lead and in control of the race. The grey Dehere gelding looked to have plenty in hand in the run to the line to score by a length from True Glo (Brief Truce - Torelgo) with Vocabulary (Encosta de Lago - Lady Linguist) three-quarters of a length away third.

Tony Noonan said Super Groove was off to the paddock for a freshen-up. He will then head to Adelaide for the G2 Yallambee Classic (1200m) in May. 

Later that evening in New South Wales at the Canterbury Guineas meeting in Sydney, Dehere's three year-old son  Dehero (ex Am Wild by Wild Again) sat behind the hard going Star of Florida (Telesto - Try It On) to grab his first stakes victory and Dehere is 50th in the LR 3COM Stakes (registered name; Eskimo Prince Stakes).

Star of Florida jumped straight to the lead in the 1100m event and continued at such a breakneck pace that he made himself a sitting shot for those behind. The one to take advantage of the high speed was Dehero who relaxed in second place behind the Telesto gelding.  When jockey Glen Boss angled off the fence rounding the Canterbury home turn Dehero peeled off the leader's back and after a short tussle, got the better of Star of Florida to score a well-deserved win.  

Dehero went past the post 1-1/4 lengths clear of Star of Florida with his ears pricked. The suicidal early speed led to Dehero setting a new course record of 1:03.05.

The class of the Dehere breed was also evident later in the evening when the stallion's No.1 Australian son Defier broke an 18-year-old course record over the 1200m journey in winning the G2 Canterbury Stakes.

After getting back early and seeming to be under pressure rounding the turn, Defier (ex Lilande by Marscay) unleashed an amazing finishing burst to run 1:09.13, .07s faster than the previous standard set by Pete's Gold in February 1985.

Defier carried 57.5 kilos and treated a good field of sprinters with disdain.

The win sets up the prospect of an intriguing clash with Octagonal's classy son Lonhro in the Darley Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.

March 16, 2003

Dehere's daughter Bollinger did all the work and showed plenty of courage to hold off her stable mate Bumptious (Quest for Fame - Pert) to claim the G2 Surround Stakes (1400m) by a narrow margin at Warwick Farm on Saturday, March 15.

Bollinger, is out of the 1993 Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay (by Marscay), snatched her third career victory from just five starts as she held off the late charge from Bumptious who finished a head second with another stable mate Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence - Joie Denise) 1-3/4 lengths away third.

Part owner Peter Orton, representing the owners, immediately claimed the three-year-old now carried a million dollar-plus price tag.

"She is beautifully bred, there's no doubt she's a million dollar filly now," he said, eyeing off some lucrative breeding opportunities in the future.

Top Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver ensured his trip north was a successful one when he confidently strode Bollinger to the lead after the turn and then held off the late surge by Bumptious.

Bollinger will head towards the only group one race for fillies and mares the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill on March 29.

Later in the day at Newcastle, Free Cheers (ex Tierceina by Tierce) won the First national Class 1 Handicap (1300m) by 1-3/4 lengths.

March 10, 2003

Dehere's daughters took out the quinella in the G3 Tooheys New Plate (registered name; Frances Tressady Stakes) at Flemington on Australia Cup day, Monday March 10.  The winner Galapagos Girl (ex Reigntaine by Century) had only a half-length to spare over Special Grange (ex She's So Special by Sound Reason).

Flash Bash (Vettori - Party Time) was a neck further away in third.

Galapagos Girl covered the 1400m journey in 1:22.21 coming home her last 600m in a slick 34.16 seconds.

March 9, 2003

The foresight of Arrowfield Stud's chief John Messara was proved once again at Flemington on Saturday. After Dehere remained in the northern hemisphere for a couple of seasons, Messara decided last year to bring him back to Australia for 2002, a decision that was thoroughly vindicated when top class mare Belle Du Jour took out Australia's premier sprint, the G1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).  

Belle Du Jour jumped from gate 18 in a field of 22 and her rider Dan Nikolic came down the grandstand side of the famous Flemington straight-six course. With the field level pegging at the 400m point as three-year-old colt Bel Esprit (Royal Academy - Bespoken by Vain) broke away from the pack on the flat side, Belle Du Jour was winding up for a finishing burst.

At the 200m she had edged clear, but it was over the final 100m that she asserted herself, coming away to beat the best sprinters in training by three-quarters-of-a-length.

Belle Du Jour is the tenth named foal and easily the best racehorse produced by the former crackerjack race mare Delightful Belle (Balmerino). 

After beginning her race career in her native New Zealand, where she won two races as a two-year old, Delightful Belle crossed the Tasman to defeat Love A Kiss, runner-up to Inspired in the previous seasons Golden Slipper Stakes, in the 1984 Group 3 VATC Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1400 m.) and Group 3 Tranquil Star Stakes (1400 m.). That season she also won the MVRC LR Carlton Draught stakes (1600m), and finished second to Brave Salute in the VATC G2 Sandown Guineas.

The future for Belle Du Jour is tricky with plans for the daughter of Dehere to finish her racing career in France before visiting Danehill at Coolmore Stud in Ireland. However, the ¾-length victory over Belle Esprit (Royal Academy) and Super Impressive (Zabeel) in the G1 Newmarket Hcp may entice connections to give the five-year-old mare another run or two in Australia over the autumn carnival.

On the same day in New South Wales at Kembla Grange, Zakynthos Star (ex Princess Zakynthos by Spectacular Spy) took out the Class 2 Dorothy Mant Handicap (1200m) by 1-1/4 lengths.

March 1, 2003

Dehere sired four winners around Australia on Saturday, March 1st, including the Group 2 Shannon's Classic (registered name; Caulfield Autumn Classic) quinella and a metropolitan treble of wins.

At Newcastle, Free Cheers (ex Tierceina by Tierce) got the ball rolling to score a neck maiden victory over Rory's Boy (Rory's Jester - Ultima Vita).

Then at Rosehill, Bollinger (ex Bint Marscay by Marscay) scored a determined victory in the Matador Bullbars Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on a good track.  

Bollinger was in control as soon as she jumped from the barriers to the lead and she was never headed to win by a solid 3-3/4 length margin over Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence - Joie Denise) with Miz Riocee (Mister C - Rio Melody) half-head away in third.

Twenty minutes later Natural Blitz (ex Mohave Dancer - Zabeel) ridden by Nash Rawiller wove his way through the field to claim the G2 Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800m) by 2-1/4 lengths over Glefti (ex Desert Jewel by At Talaq) giving Dehere the quinella, Gallic (Zabeel - Gesine) was 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Natural Blitz's victory took Dehere's stakes winners total to 47 with his progeny earnings of more than $42 million. 

To top the day off for Dehere, Ecstasy (ex Food Of Love by Lunchtime) scored her fourth career victory in the BRL Hardy's Wines Handicap (1300m) at Eagle Farm on a dead track.

February 24, 2003.

Arrowfield has announced that Dehere will be returning to stand at Arrowfield for the 2003 breeding season, along with an international stakes double over the weekend. Dehere, who finished second on the "Leading Sire" list for North America in 2002, is now the sire of 45 stakes winners internationally.

In the early hours of Saturday morning Australian time, Dehere’s Australian bred son Grandiser (ex Staremma by Famous Star) took out the Listed Reb’s Policy Handicap, over 6 ½ furlongs (1300m) on Turf at just his second race start in North America. Formerly trained by Sterling Smith, Grandiser had won four of his seven Australian starts before being sold for $110,000 at the Inglis Winter Thoroughbred Sale last July. The winners cheque of USD$48,660 is sure to help pay his way in America.

February 23, 2003.

Galapagos Girl stretched her neck out when it mattered most in a tight finish to win the Group 3 TBV Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, February 22.

Galapagos Girl overcame a wide barrier to defeat Ella Fire (Royal Academy - Swiftly Luskin by Luskin Star) by half-a-head and Flash Bash (Vettori - Party Time by Bletchingly) half-neck in third in the Group 3 event.

The winner of three races from 9 starts for earnings of $119,255 Galapagos Girl became the third mare/filly by an Arrowfield based stallion to break her maiden stakes status at Caulfield on Saturday.

Runner-up on the 2002 U.S sires list Dehere (USA) has 376 winners from 513 runners worldwide that have amassed over $42.1 million in earnings. His 44 stakes winners include three Group/Grade 1 winners – Take Charge Lady 9 wins, $3,084,644, Ashland S. (G1), Spinster S. (G1)), Alcibiades S. (G2), Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) etc, Defier 8 wins, $1,876,550 AJC Queen Elizabeth S. (G1), George Main S. (G1), Warwick S. (G2), STC Theo Marks Quality H. (G2) etc, and Belle Du Jour 8 wins, $2,315,330 STC Golden Slipper S. (G1), VRC Emirates Classic (G2), STC Reisling Slipper Trial (G2) etc.

Paul Holmes a' Court purchased Galapagos Girl for $155,000 at the 2000 Easter Yearling sale. She is the tenth foal of Reigntaine (Century-Rainbeam by Vain) an unraced full sister to Waikato Stud’s extraordinary stud success Centaine. Galapagos Girl is the seventh winner and the third stakes winner for Reigntaine following the Listed Stakes winner Kampaign (by Kampala) and the VATC Tristarc Stakes (G3) winner Procrastinate (by Jade Hunter) the dam of champion South African filly Laisserfaire (by Danehill), which won 9 Graded Stakes races including six at Group 1 level.

The rising twenty-year old Reigntaine is still going strong. She has a yearling colt by Marquetry (USA), a filly foal by Woodman (USA) and was served last year by Darley Stud’s world-class racehorse Fantastic Light (USA).  

Procrastinate has a yearling colt by Danehill (USA), a filly foal by Danzero and was covered last year by Coolmore Stud’s Galileo (IRE) the magnificent Epsom Derby winning son of Sadler’s Wells.

February 17, 2003

Dehere's three-year-old daughter, Belle of Perintown rebounded from a disastrous appearance in last month's Tiffany Lass Stakes in style with a commanding 8-1/4 length win in the Group 2 Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds in America. 

In a effort that would've impressed the race's namesake, the Eddie Kenneally trainee got most of her margin in the final furlong and covered the journey in 1:44 2/5 on a fast track.

Bred in Kentucky, Belle of Perintown is out of the unraced Mr. Prospector mare Hot Match. Like so many other daughters of that late great stallion, Hot Match has already assured herself of success in the breeding shed with the Silverbulletday winner. 

Hot Match herself is out of Grade 1 winner Jeanne Jones (Nijinsky II), who very nearly won the 1987 G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, only to be edged out in the final stride by Epitome. Jeanne Jones, trained by the late Charlie Whittingham.

Belle of Perintown's win was her third career victory and took her earnings past $200,000 in the process. 

February 9, 2003

In the opening race on the card at Flemington on G1 Lightning Stakes day on Sunday, February 9, Glefti (ex Desert Jewel by At Talaq) was triumphant in the Irish Day Handicap (1600m). 

February 8, 2003.

Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mike Moroney unveiled Oakleigh Plate plans for emerging sprinter Feel the Noise (ex Slade by Chimes Square) after his top class win at Caulfield on Saturday, February 8.

Having his first-run since the Spring, Feel The Noise underlined his potential with a 2-1/2 length win in the LR JRA Stakes (1100m).  Irish Pride (Night Shift - Superior Bisc) finished second with Tully Dane (Danehill - Good Faith) a half length away in third.  

Feel the Noise's win was his first stakes win and his fifth career victory and took his earnings past $250,000, a tidy profit for his connections, as bloodstock agent Paul Moroney purchased Feel the Noise from the William Inglis Classic sale for $40,000.

Dehere was unlucky not to sire a stakes double as his four-year-old daughter Special Grange (ex She’s So Special by Sound Reason) was forced back to the worst part of the track in the straight but still finished powerfully to overhaul all bar Skewiff (Mookta) in the Listed Moduline – Hyderbad Plate (1200m) at Caulfield. 

February 6, 2003

Evergreen six-year-old gelding Oamaru Rhythm (ex Raise a Rhythm by Raise a Cup), scored a three-quarter length victory in the Magic Ruler Handicap (1200m) at Sandown on Wednesday, February 5.

Oamaru Rhythm's win was his seventh career victory and took his earnings past $190,000 for his connections.

February 2, 2003

Top class stallion Dehere sired a winning metropolitan double on Saturday February 1st, Madam Dehereos (ex Calemoss by Twig Moss) got the Dehere show on the road when she narrowly held on to win the Scomeld Handicap (1420m) at Flemington despite shifting out sharply in the closing stages.

Madam Dehereos lead all the way to score by a half-length from January (Marauding - Record Month), with St Martha (Bigstone - Racy Belle) a length away third.

A gear change for Madam Dehereos may be in order to assist the mare who has plenty of obvious talent, on Saturday she only wore a "D" bit. 

Later in the day in South Australia, Richard Jolly produced Starhere (ex Frontier Star by Luskin Star) to win the Minster Carpets Handicap at Morphettville.

The four-year-old gelding is raced by the Netherby Syndicate and was ridden by Paul Gatt to prevail by three quarters of a length and clock a slick 1:00.99 for the 1050 metres.

The victory was Starhere's second from just seven starts with plenty more victories to come his way as he will be placed to advantage by Jolly. 

January 26, 2003

Talented colt Natural Blitz (ex Mohave Dancer by Zabeel) scored a comfortable win in the Midnight Fever Handicap (1200m) at Sandown on Saturday, January 25.

The three-year-old colt was having his first-up run after finishing third behind Cool Azz (Encosta de Lago - Wake Up Sam) and And Shintaro (Fuji Kiseki - Elevate) in the VRC LR Springtime Stakes at Flemington last November.

Natural Blitz settled towards the back of the field as the field cornered his rider Kerrin McEvoy gave Natural Blitz plenty of room to storm home down the outside to record a nice three length win.  

Natural Blitz looks set to repay his connections which include his trainer Doug Harrison, as the win was his second career victory and took his earnings past $41,000.  Harrison purchased Natural Blitz from the Magic Million Adelaide yearling sale in 2001 from the Mill Park as agent draft for $85,000.

January 24, 2003.

Special Grange (ex She's So Special by Sound Reason) looks set for a big Summer and Autumn campaign after her first-up win in the rich Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Thursday night, January 23.

Special Grange came from last around a compact field as the fillies and mares cornered for home,  while Kerrin McEvoy was searching for a opening from his pocket on the fence, Special Grange had lengthened her stride and when Dan Nikolic asked her for a finishing effort, she slipped away from Raja Lane, to win by l-3/4 lengths with Skewiff  (Mookta - Centrullah) another 1-3/4 lengths back in third.

Her trainer Rod Symons told Shelly Hancox on Sport 927 this morning, "Special Grange is a very good mare and she could potentially win a group one race."

"Her next race is the G2 Sweetenham Stud Stakes with her ultimate target the G1 Coolmore Classic, especially now Sunline has retired!" he said. 

January 16, 2003

Another winner for Dehere, when his four-year-old daughter Naareda (ex Bridal Party by Nassipour) took out the Lucrative Handicap (1600m) at Sandown, on Wednesday, January 15.

January 8, 2003.

Win Here Win There won the Moet & Chandon Handicap (1100m) at Randwick on Tuesday, January 7. 

Win Here Win There scored by three-quarters of a length over Shanval (Hot Piper - Langdale Lass) with Flareon (Magic Winner - Dapper Lass) another length back in third.

Win Here Win There took his record to three wins from ten starts, and his career earnings past $39,000, scoring in 1:05.49 seconds.

Win Here Win There went through the sales ring at the 2000 Australian Easter Yearling sale in the Arrowfield Stud draft as agent, his breeder could not let him go for the $100,000 bid for him, as they had him valued at $120,000 so he was passed in.

November 24, 2002.

Littlewood Lane stuck his head out when it mattered most in a tight finish to win the Ultra Tune Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday November 23.

Littlewood Lane had been caught out three wide early in the race and rounding the turn there were plenty of chances but over the final stage Littlewood Lane pulled out plenty to hold a narrow advantage on the line to Destruction Point (Lord Seymour - Norwegian Girl) with Burglar (Housebuster Centre Isle) three quarters of a length back in third.

Littlewood Lane is from the Palace Music mare Interlace, who was purchased by Tuscany Bloodstock this year at the William Inglis Broodmare sale for just $20,000.  Littlewood Lane was purchased by the astute bloodstock agent and Eliza Park Bloodstock Manager, Denis Roberts from the 2000 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for just $27,500 for his connections. 

On the same day at Randwick, Le Roi Brown (ex Pray for Reign by Fairy King) easily won the Motorola Australia Handicap (1400m).

Le Roi Brown covered the journey in 1:22.20 sprinting home his last 600 metres in 35.59 on a good track with a comfortable winning margin of 1-3/4 lengths back to Jeremiad (Octagonal - Lament) in second.

Le Roi Brown was purchased at the 2001 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for his syndicate of owners'  by Star Thoroughbreds for $52,500.

November 3, 2002.

The promising son of Dehere, Ain't Here (ex Aint She a Daisy by Sabone) finished third in the Group One AAMI Victoria Derby at Flemington, on Saturday November 2.  Ain't Here was less than a length away from the winner in the classic, not a bad effort for a colt having just his tenth race start.

October 8, 2002

The outstanding Dehere filly Take Charge Lady took out the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland on Sunday, October 6 by two and a half lengths.  

Take Charge Lady enters a exclusive club that previously consisted of only the legendry Doubledogdare and Optimistic Gal as the only winners of Keeneland’s premier races for fillies—the Spinster, Ashland and Alcibiades Stakes.

Unbeaten in four runs at Keeneland, Take Charge Lady has started 12 times for 8 wins and 3 seconds with earnings of $1,586,351. The three-year-olds previous wins this year include a eight and a half length win in the G3 Silverbulletday Stakes, G2 Fair Grounds Oaks, G1 Ashland Stakes and G3 Dogwood Stakes.

A $175,000 purchase at the 2000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale Take Charge Lady is out of the unraced Rubiano mare Felicita, who is also the dam of stakes winner Eventail (Lear Fan).

September 30, 2002.

Defier (ex Lilande by Marscay), reinforced his claim as a potential superstar with a brilliant win in Saturday's G1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, relegating the gallant Sunline (Desert Sun - Songline) to third with Excellerator (Marscay - Artless) splitting them.

Chris Munce parked Defier on Sunline's hindquarters letting her be his wind shield with a strong head wind up the back straight.  

Even though the champion mare set a slow pace, going through the first 800 metres in 51 seconds, she pulled fiercely on a day when no leaders won a race.  Defier had never been so close to the lead in any of his previous races, which would have had his trainer Guy Walter, worried.  

Excellerator loomed up but Defier had plenty left and was a long neck clear on the line with Sunline going down fighting another 1-1/4 lengths away.

Well-supported favourite Lonhro (Octagonal - Shadea) was poorly ridden and kept in a pocket by the ever-alert Munce and never got a clear run, winding up fourth.

It was the second Group One win for Defier, who claimed the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the autumn after running third to Sunline and Shogun Lodge in the Doncaster Handicap.

Defier will clash with Excellerator in next Saturday's (October 5) G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) then head to Melbourne for another bout with Sunline in the Yalumba Stakes (2000m) before the WS Cox Plate (2040m) on October 26.  

September 23, 2002.

Four-year-old mare Galapagos Girl (ex Reigntaine by Century), dead-heated for third in the LR Dubai Convention Bureau Plate (Registered name: How Now Stakes) over 1200 metres at Caulfield on Sunday September 22.

September 15, 2002

Walter was in Melbourne to see the mare burst the bubble on Bel Esprit (Royal Academy - Bespoken) in the Manikato Stakes over 1200 metres, but Defier's band of owners more than made up for his absence as they cheered Defier home from a seemingly hopeless position in the middle of the field with 100m to go. It took an age to find a gap but when the opening came, Defier burst through with his now characteristic late rush to get the nod over Phoenix Park (Royal Academy - Bletchwyn), by a short head with a half-neck to Carael Boy (Free Flyer - Song of Spring). 

Defier now heads the betting for the G1 Epsom Handicap, which is run over 1600 metres at Randwick on October 5. 

But before the Epsom, Defier will aim to add the G1 George Main Stakes, which is run over the same distance and at the same track as the Epsom in two weeks time, when he'll face his toughest test to date - SUNLINE (Desert Sun - Songline) who is shooting to equal the great Kingston Town's record of 14 Group One wins.

September 8, 2002.

Bollinger (ex Bint Marscay by Marscay), in only her second career race start stepped straight up to the G3 Roman Consul Stakes over 1200 metres at Randwick to finish third.  It was a tidy effort by the filly who had to take on the seasoned colts Snowland (Snippets - Snowdrift) the winner and Force Apollo (Catrail - Clear Apollo) second placegetter.

September 5, 2002

Debutant Penetrator (ex Dupion by Bletchingly), broke his maiden status at Wyong over 1200 metres on Wednesday September 4, 2002.

August 29, 2002.

Debutant Super Groove (ex Tyrises by Last Tycoon), signalled bigger wins are in store following his outstanding victory in the Winning Edge Presentations Handicap over 1000 metres at Moonee Valley on Wednesday August 28, 2002.

Bred by champion trainer Bart Cummings but sold to prominent Victorian owners Jonathon Munz and Marita Batten for $13,000 at the Inglis June Sale in Sydney two years ago, Super Groove may now be given his chance in the G2 Ascot Vale Stakes over 1200 metres at Flemington.

Super Groove went up in the air at the start, but hit the ground running.  He raced wide and pulled away from Monee Lane (Dolphin Street - Lamourmonee) by 2-1/4 lengths with Doublem (Spinning World - Mimique) a half-length back in third place. Super Groove ran a smart 58.9s, just half a second outside the class record held by Kashkii (Kashani - Sky Karma).

Munz was drawn to Super Groove because of his dam Tyrises (ex Irises by Tate Gallery), a half-sister to a mare he races, Purple Groove (Rhythm) this year Munz snapped up Tyrises at a broodmare sale at what now seems a cheap price at $10,000.

August 27, 2002

Three-year-old filly Bollinger (ex Bint Marscay by Marscay), lived up to her pre-race wraps to post an impressive debut victory at Canterbury on Sunday August 25, 2002.  

After sharing the lead with St. Jessie (Jetball - Be Bop a Lula), Bollinger shook off her rival in the straight to score by three-quarters of a length with the same margin to Squish (Luskin Star - Ooze), third.  

In America, Easyfromthegitgo (ex Montera by Easy Goer) finished second in the G3 Oaklahoma Derby on Sunday.

August 26, 2002.

Talented galloper Defier (ex Lilande by Marscay), opened his spring campaign with a strong win over red-hot favourite Lonhro (Octagonal - Shadea), in the G2 Warwick Stakes over 1400 metres at Warwick Farm on Saturday, August 24 2002.

Astute horseman Byron Rogers, reports that Defier looked fantastic in the parade ring prior to the race and ran right up to his looks with an outstanding performance.  Connections have hinted that a crack at the G1 Epsom Handicap is more likely than the G1 WS Cox Plate, but the handicapper will have the last word with these plans.

August 22, 2002

Former West Australian mare Galapagos Girl (ex Reigntaine by Century), made an impressive Victorian debut in the VRC At Werribee Handicap over 1000 metres on Wednesday August 21, 2002.

She was having her first start for trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith, Galapagos Girl raced handy to the lead before unwinding a powerful sprint in the straight to come away and score by 1-3/4 lengths from Chardonnay And Ice (Southern Appeal - Onehundred Sequins) with a long neck to Tycoon Milly (Last Tycoon - Allegany) in third place.

Galapagos Girl had not raced since October last year, despite being sent to Mayfield-Smith earlier this year. His patience, however, is set to reap big dividends as she looks pretty smart.

Galapagos Girl, started three times in Perth before her win, scoring a debut win at Belmont Park last September.