Quest For Fame colt, Sea Battle won his first stakes race on Saturday when victorious in the Listed Winter Championship at Flemington.

The winner of his two previous starts for trainer Mark Kavanagh, Sea Battle showed his versatility to be ridden closer to the pace this time to score gamely. With In The Shadows pushing forward early to take up the running from Royal Lakes with Rockpecker racing just behind them with Sea Battle on his hind quarters. Sea Battle had trailed Rockpecker through the race, bursting into the clear and was too strong in the run to the line to claim the win by three-quarters-of-a-length from Rockpecker (Made of Gold - Gaelic Waltz by Celtic Swing). Magnetic (Never Undercharge - Dance the Polka by Voltage Peak) was another three lengths away in third.

The win was Sea Battle's sixth in total with another six placings from his 21 race starts, Kavanagh will give him a short spell before he lines up in some black type spring events.

Bred by Northern Lodge Stud, Sea Battle is out of the Danehill mare Peppie and is a full-brother to stakes placed colt Poulter and from the family of Group 1 scorers Gold Ace and Final Card.

May 18th, 2008

Quest For Fame appears to have a Cox Plate candidate when his son Sarrera bagged his second weight-for-age feature in the Gold Doomben Cup (2020m) on Saturday.

Trained by New Zealander, Mike Moroney and ridden by Damien Oliver, Sarrera downed Rampant Lion (Lion Hunter - La Gypsy by Celestial Dancer), who ran the race of his life, by one-and-a-quarter lengths.  Like It is (Distorted Humor - Out in Style by Brave Regent) showed plenty of courage to hang on for third after making most of the running.

Ridden by Damien Oliver, Sarrera who has gone to another level, stayed near the rail when the field fanned as the turned for home and with his ears pinned back on his head he was too strong for his rivals over the ten-and-a-bit furlongs.

Sarrera, had caused a major upset to claim the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last start when he got over the top of the Derby winner Nom du Jeu.  He has overcome adversity to get to a level that his trainer had never dreamed possible a year ago.

Until Sarrera's Queen Elizabeth win, the seven-year-old's previous career highlight was the 2007 Warrnambool Cup victory, a open class handicap that has been recently upgraded to listed status.

Moroney is unlikely to proceed with the gelding to the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.

Appearing on Sky Channel's Racing Retro, Moroney said he might give Sarrera one more Brisbane run in the Group Two O'Shea Stakes (2400m) at Eagle Farm in two weeks time.  However, he will have a meeting with the horses syndicate of owners and they could decide to spell him immediately to prepare for Australia's number one weight-for-age feature at Moonee Valley in October.

The son of Quest for Fame, a $100,000 buy from the 2002 Magic Millions Yearling Sale by Moroney's brother Paul, sent his earnings soaring past the magical million dollar barrier with his easy win.  

Sarrera, is one of two winners from two runners for the unraced Zabeel mare Zamsong.  

Zamsong's dam Zamcherie is a full sister to the 1988 Australian Horse of the Year Beau Zam - the first horse in Australian thoroughbred history to win $2 million.

May 11th, 2008

This week Alan Porter looks at the pedigree of Sarrera.

Sarrera broke his maiden on his first start, in August, 2003. Over the next 56 months, he won another six races, but it wasn’t until his thirty-second start, which came in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), that he gained a group win, the soft ground specialist swooping from last to cause a major upset.

Oddly enough, Sarrera’s sire, Quest For Fame, also scored the first black-type victory of his life in group one event. In his case, that win came in none other than the Epsom Derby (G1). Quest For Fame was unable to add to the win column for the rest of his three-year-old season, or at four, although he did take a second in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) and third in both the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and Hollywood Turf Cup (G1). Kept in training at five, Quest For Fame made the move worthwhile capturing the Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) and San Luis Obispo Handicap (G2), and a third in the Breeder’s Cup Turf (G1).

Quest For Fame started his career in the U.S., where a later-maturing turf horse was never going to find it easy to flourish, but has found a permanent home at Woodlands Stud in New South Wales. He has sired 41 stakes winners, and despite his pedigree and race-record, out of Australian mares, Quest For Fame has proved able to get several rather speedy and precocious performers, such as two-year-old stars Viscount and Dracula. His other Australian group one winners include, in addition to Sarrera; the Flight Stakes (G1) victress Unworldly; Tributes, heroine of the VRC Oaks (G1); the Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) winner Masked; and De Beers, who took the Rosehill Guineas (G1).

Sarrera’s dam, Zamsong, never ran, and his grandam, Zamcherie, failed to win, but that doesn’t mean that Sarrera lacks pedigree. His dam is a daughter of Zabeel, out of a sister to Beau Zam, a Zamazaan horse whose victories included the AJC Derby (G1), H. E. Tancred Stakes (G1), Spring Champion Stakes (G1), Segenhoe Stakes (G1) and Rawson Stakes (G1). Mia Bella, the fourth dam of Sarrera, is a sister to the Brisbane Cup and Adelaide Cup victor, Fulmen; to the Toorak Handicap (G1) victor, Gay Filou; multiple stakes winner Fileur; and stakes placed Micheline, who is better known as the dam of the great filly Surround, a three-parts-sister to Belle Cherie, as well as the Brisbane Cup (G1) winner, Lord Hybrow, and the George Main and Rawson Stakes winner, Purple Patch, and is fourth dam of West Australian Derby (G1) winner Mr Sandgroper. Another sister to Mia Bella, Dulcie Dee, is grandam of the VRC Oaks (G1) victress, My Tristram’s Belle. We can’t leave this family without noting that Mia Bella is also half-sister to Balmerino, winner of the Brisbane Cup (G1), New Zealand Derby (G1), Air New Zealand Stakes (G1), New Zealand 2,000 Guineas (G1) and Rawson Stakes (G1).

The cross that produced Sarrera, that of Quest For Fame over Sir Tristram line mares has been a very successful one, producing six stakes winners, including grade one winners Sarrera, Tributes and Viscount. Quest For Fame’s sire, Rainbow Quest, and Sir Tristram, are both linebred to Selene. Each have one of those strains through All Moonshine, a three-parts-brother to Hyperion, and one through Hyperion’s half-brother Pharamond II. He is in Rainbow Quest through Pharamond II’s son, Menow broodmare sire of Red God, the grandsire of Blushing Groom and in Sir Tristram through Menow’s three-parts-sister, Athenia, the grandam of Sir Tristram’s sire, Sir Ivor.

The cross of Quest For Fame over Zabeel, which produced both Sarrera and group winner Raspberry Ripple, adds another dimension. Quest For Fame’s dam is by Green Dancer, and both he and Lady Giselle (dam of Zabeel) are by sons of Northern Dancer, out of mares by Val de Loir. For good measure, in this pedigree, we also have Zamazaan, a son of Exbury. He is by Le Haar (like Val de Loir, a son of Vieux Manoir) out of a mare by Mossborough, a genetic relative to Northern Dancer’s sire, Nearctic, so intensifies the cross.

May 4th, 2008

On the last day of the Autumn carnival in New South Wales, Woodlands outstanding 1990 English Derby winner, Quest For Fame, produced his eighth group one winner when Sarrera took out the weight for age feature on the Sydney Cup card, the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Ridden by one of Victoria's top jockeys for the Flemington based Mike Moroney, Sarrera, settled at the rear of the field for the majority of the race as Desert War took up his front running role setting a solid tempo.  Encosta de Lago gelding Our Smoking Joe raced in second spot ahead of Honor In War and the race favourite Tuesday Joy.

Desert War, who was having the last run of his illustrious career, surrendered the lead at the top of the straight when the AJC Australian Derby winner Nom Du Jeu (Montjeu - Prized Gem by Prized) staked his claim along with Tuesday Joy as she loomed up in the centre of the track. 

Oliver stuck to the inside on Sarrera, where the ground was softer allowing the Quest For Fame gelding to cut the corner and make up many lengths.  With a furlong to run Sarrera had raced up to join Nom Du Jeu and then found plenty to overhaul the three-year-old to claim the win by a head.

Tuesday Joy (Carneige - Joie Denise by Danehill)  was another two-and-a-half lengths away in third with Desert War (Desert King - High Heels by Canny lad) a gallant fourth. 

Oliver told TVN's Bruce Clark, "This is a big surprise by this horse - a great surprise."

Earlier Moroney had told Clark that he had been watching the weather forecast on the internet hoping they would be right with soft ground. 

"This race was always on his program and I had hoped the weather might help us as Sarrera loves the soft going...but as it's turned out it was against us," Moroney said. 

"I could see him sneaking up on the inside and I got excited. That was the softest ground and even though he gave them a big start he was going so well I knew he would be a chance. 

"Queensland is on the agenda and races like the Doomben Cup and Brisbane Cup are there for him, especially if it is wet." 

In recording his seventh and most important victory Sarrera took his earnings to almost $700,000 a great return as Moroney's brother Paul had purchased him at the 2002 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale for $100,000.

Sarrera is out of the Zabeel mare, Zamsong a daughter of Zamcherie (by Zamazann) a sister to Bart Cummings champion galloper of the '80's Beau Zam, winner of 11 races including the Group I AJC Derby, Spring Champion Stakes, STC HE Tancred Stakes and Rawson Stakes.  Beau Zam is out of Belle Cherie (by Sovereign Edition) a descendant of Dulcie (by Duccio) the dam of the outstanding Group I winner, Balmerino (by Trictrac).  Dulcie's daughters have produced many Group I winners that include; Surround, Purple Patch, Lord Hybrow, Black Bean, Mr Sandgroper and My Tristram's Belle. 

May 1st, 2008

Woodlands Stud based 1990 Gr1 English Derby winner Quest For Fame (Rainbow Quest - Aryenne by Green Dancer) added a black-type success when five-year-old mare Video Star (ex Danceabeel by Zabeel) scored a three-quarter-of-a-length victory in the $130,000 Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) in Victoria.

Video Star, was ridden by Sam Hyland for the locally based trainer Patrick Ryan, Hylands cousin, defeated the fast-finishing four-year-old mare Sooze (Archway - Celestial Sooze by Rancho Ruler) and Action Plan (Distorted Humor - Tondela by Blazing Sword).

Video Star was a $42,000 yearling at the 2004 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale and she now boasts six wins and seven placing's from 29 starts for $203,100 earnings and she becomes Quest For Fame's 41st stakes winner.

October 28th, 2007

On Saturday it was Moonee Valley's turn to shine, featuring Australasia's weight-for-age championship the WS Cox Plate with a strong under card and Lee Freedman hinted that the Crystal Mile winner, Sonic Quest, may be good enough to bring back to Moonee Valley for next year's Cox Plate after the lightly-raced five-year-old scored an impressive win in the Group Two feature.

Ridden by Dan Nikolic, Sonic Quest settled midfield as Test Fire took the field along at a strong clip from Tears I Cry.   Test fire had run his race by the time he got to the 700m and began to fold as Tears I Cry raced past him.  However, after having a nice run midfield, Sonic Quest, rounded the pack out wide and raced up to the leaders on the home turn and let down quickly to race right away and win very easily by 3-3/4 lengths.  Orange County (Volksraad - Saffie by Kaapstad) had been caught on the fence had a number of traffic issues and got into the clear late and finished off the race well for second with Tears I Cry (Lacryma Cristi - Cassazione by Salieri) a short-half-head away in third.

"He's untapped," Freedman told TVN. 

"He could be back for another race next year." 

The Quest For Fame gelding landed his sixth win from only 10 starts and ran the 1600m in 1:35.92 which was only 0.12 outside the track record held by Lad Of The Manor. 

Sonic Quest will line up in the Group I $1 million Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 10. 

Nikolic, who completed a winning double on the gelding having earlier dead-heated on Autumn Jeuney in the Group Three Inglis Mile, said he would see how Sonic Quest pulled up and check all his options before making a commitment to the Emirates ride. 

"He's still pretty lightly raced," Nikolic told TVN, adding, "He lopes rather than quickens." 

Sonic Quest, already a stakes winner having won the Listed MRC Barton Stakes at Caulfield, is out of the Kingdom Bay mare Lodore Magic a former champion two-year old in New Zealand. With four wins to her credit, Lodore Magic won the Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes and New Zealand Magic Millions Classic.  She travelled to Australia and competed in the Group 2 Reisling Slipper trial where she finished second.  A full sister to the Group 3 winning Morgan Bay, Lodore Magic had a Redoute's Choice filly make $450,000 at the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale this year, she has a Danzero yearling filly for next year and was covered last spring by More Than Ready. 

Sonic Quest is on of 40 stakes winners for Quest For Fame and is one of very few Group I producing sires located outside the equine influenza infected purple zone being based at Woodlands Cootamundra, where he commands a fee of $11,000.00 (inc gst).

September 23rd, 2007

On the Underwood Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes day under card, Quest For Fame's classy gelded son returned to racing with a first class win when ridden by top jockey Dan Nikolic, who burst back into the limelight taking out the Group I Underwood Stakes on Rubiscent, giving him his first city winner for the spring on Sonic Quest in the Jayco Hcp (1200m) at Caulfield. 

Nikolic, had given his riding contract in Hong Kong away after a horrid season, returning home earlier this month with his wife Victoria who is expecting their first child in two weeks. 

"In Hong Kong things were going okay but I just wasn't happy there so I did something about it and came home," Nikolic said. 

Nikolic is a lot happier riding in Melbourne and resumed riding at Moonee Valley a week ago riding freelance during the spring, aligning himself with various leading stables such as Lee Freedman, Danny O'Brien, Mick Price, John Hawkes and owner Lloyd Williams. 

"You've got to be riding for these leading stables to ride in the big races and the big winners," Nikolic said. 

"But I don't want to tie myself to just one stable. 

"Those days are gone and I want to freelance." 

Nikolic had been riding work for Freedman and after his win on Jabal Tarik at Ballarat last Sunday, got the nod to ride Sonic Quest.  A bit of a hand full at the barriers he was on his best behaviour on Saturday settling on the fence in fourth as Monahan Tweed took up the running.  Nikolic gave Sonic Quest (ex Lodore Magic by Kingdom Bay) the run of the race and raced past Monahan Tweed at the 300m and held off the fast finishing Stanzout (Gallo Di Ferro - Shanza Grey by Mentat Duke), who got too far out of his ground early, to score by a long neck.  Amyjaye Power (Centre Stalls - Amyjay Star by Bureaucracy) was another two lengths away in third.

Nikolic told TVN's Bruce Clark, "He's a nice horse and I will probably stick with him now," adding "He got to there (the front) a little bit early but was always travelling like a winner."

January 15th, 2007

At Caulfield on Saturday one of the most impressive win's on the card came from Sonic Quest when he won the Listed Barton Stakes (1400m).

A huge horse, Sonic Quest, took ages to load into barrier eight and when the starter let them go he took a backward step and missed the jump completely.  As this was happening Recapitalize jumped away best to take up the running from Our Spur and Forest Spy, who pushed on after being trapped wide ensuring that the tempo was solid.

Recapitalize and Our Spur had most of their rivals struggling at the 300m but Sonic Quest (ex Lodore magic by Kingdom Bay), who had weaved his way through the field, got into the clear and grabbed Our Spur (Flying Spur - Balfine by Zabaleta) in the final stages to win by a long neck.

Recapitalize (Royal Academy - Blayney Breeze by Dahar) stuck to his guns and held third three-quarters-of-length away in third.

In winning the black type event Sonic Quest took Quest For Fame's stakes winners total to 40.  He was purchased at the 2004 Inglis Easter Sale for $80,000 by New Zealand Bloodstock and he is Lodore Magic's first stakes winner from five foals, four of whom have raced for three winners.

Lodore Magic has a yearling set down as lot 246 on the second day of the premier sale at Karaka in New Zealand.  The yearling is a filly by the king of the sales ring, Redoute's Choice.

Redoute's Choice has had 33 yearlings go through the first four sessions of the Magic Millions yearling sale on the Gold Coast go for $15.7 million at an average of $476,000.

In recording his fourth success, Sonic Quest, took his prizemoney past $150,000 for his connections.

October 2nd, 2006

Top trans-Tasman trainer Michael Moroney is hoping to test his smart galloper Sarrera against the best stayers in the country after his impressive win in the $100,000 RM Ansett Classic (2000m) at Mornington on Saturday.

A $100,000 purchase for the Moroney brothers at the 2002 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast, Sarrera finished second in last year's Classic and today despite a tough run he was able to score a strong win.

Moroney said the son of Quest for Fame had come up well this preparation and he was confident he'd measure up to better races during the remainder of the spring.

"He just got held up for a run at a vital stage (in this race) last year. I felt he should have won. He drew in that day and just got held in a bit," Moroney pointed out.

"I was a bit worried (today) being three deep with 56.5 (kilograms), but Greg (Childs, jockey) is good at doing that, he can keep them balanced."

"I thought it was a good run," the Melbourne Cup winning horseman added.

Sarrera is only lightly raced for a six-year-old having just his 17th start at Mornington. His RM Ansett Classic victory was the fifth of his career. During the earlier years of his life Sarrera had his share of problems that kept him away from the track.

"He had a bowed tendon when he was favourite in the Norman Robinson. He had twelve months out for that."

"And he's also had a bowel operation as well," Moroney added. "So he's a good tough horse and only lightly raced for his age."

"For a lightly raced horse he's done a hell of a lot. He's a very smart stayer."

Moroney said the gelding would press on to some of the most famous races in the country over the coming weeks.

"We're very keen on the Caulfield Cup," Moroney said. "We didn't get a run last year and I hope to get a run this year and then (head) on to the Melbourne Cup."

"This is his year, he's six-years-old now and he's finally mature."

Right from the start of his career, Sarrera showed he was going to live up to his staying pedigree.

"He was bred to take some time, being from a Zabeel mare, from a Zamazaan mare. He's a really nice stayer being by Quest for Fame as well."

Winning rider Greg Childs was impressed by the performance from Sarrera considering he didn't have many favours in the run.

"We had a pretty good run, but he was three deep and without cover, so it was a good tough effort and he'll improve again."

"He was very strong on the line. it was a good effort," Childs summed up.

Sarrera has earned over $250,000 in prizemoney for his connections. Who knows what it might be at the end of the spring?

September 4th, 2006

At Doomben on Saturday, the improving stayer Scattergun booked himself a trip to Sydney with stablemate Bikkie Tin Blues when he claimed the Body and Soul Hcp (2050m). 

A four-year-old son of Quest For Fame was coming off a very good winter preparation where he had finished fifth behind Ice Chariot in the Group I Queensland Derby.

Given a ten week break, Scattergun had resumed two weeks earlier in an unsuitable seven furlong class six event.  Stepping up to a distance of his liking, Scattergun scored by a widening six-and-a-half-lengths from Fil The Bill (Filante - Truly Truly by Skip Trial) with Melling (Nediym - Operette by Opera Prince) a half-length away in third. 

Scattergun is raced by Peter Mitchell, who also owned Bonecrusher, and is trained by Brian Smith.

Smith said Scattergun would go to Sydney to run in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on September 16.  

Scattergun was ridden by apprentice Ric Mahon and appeared to travel kindly for the young rider as he cruised to the lead rounding the home turn before racing away from his rivals.

Scattergun (ex Unbeleevable by Zabeel) is building a very nice record, with four wins from eight starts. 

McMahon always had Scattergun under a firm hold and the horse cruised to the lead rounding the home turn before racing away from his rivals.

June 18th, 2006

On Saturday, Quest For Fame sired a race to race double at Rosehill Gardens.

Auspices (ex Omens by Octagonal) got the ball rolling in the two-year-old event the MTA Medical Service Handicap (1300m).  

Trained by John Hawkes and ridden by Darren Beadman, Auspices showed plenty of fight to hold off Sermon (Octagonal - Eureka Jewel by Semipalatinsk), by half-a-head.

Forty minutes later the Hawkes - Beadman combination struck again in the Bamford Associated Lawyers Handicap (1400m) with Contrast (ex Cerise 'n' Black by Zephyr Bay) and they held Palabiro (Tiber Country - Biru Lang by Pine Bluff) at bay by a length and a quarter.

April 1st, 2006

Quest for Fame is a proven sire in Australia and when De Beers’ chalked up his sixth group one winner on Saturday he reminded breeders’ that his stock have tremendous depth.

In taking out the group one Rosehill Guineas (2000m), De Beers broke a run of outs in that state for his new trainer David Hayes and revealed another a polished display from his jockey Craig Williams. 

Williams got De Beers away well from barrier four to settle on the rail in sixth position for most of the journey, while Corowa worried Hotel Grand out of the early lead. As the field swung for home, Jay Ford on Hotel Grand moved off the rail to look for a run and Williams crept up into Hotel Grands’ spot. Travelling well on the bridle for Williams they took an opening to sprint hard and grab a valuable victory defeating Oh Oklahoma by a neck with Primus a head back in third.

Both minor placegetters were caught wide in the run and were responsible for good efforts. 

"It was a great Craig Williams' ride because you have to produce this horse inside the 200 metres," Hayes said.

Hayes will give De Beers his next start in the AJC Australian Derby (2400m) on April 15th.

Since returning from a spring spell De Beers had resumed with a good third to quality three-year-old Flying Pegasus (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Racing To Win (Encosta de Lago) in the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m). He proved that was no fluke when second to Racing To Win in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) on March 4 with a nice fourth behind Hotel Grand (Grand Lodge) in the Group 1 Randwick Canterbury Guineas (1600m) on March 18.

The win of De Beers would have given his high profile New Zealand-based owner Rob McAnulty a huge thrill as he had paid NZ$750,000 for the son of Quest for Fame from the 2004 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling sale from the draft of Pencarrow Stud. Adding a further twist, De Beers is a close relation to another Woodlands’ based sire Viscount who had sired his first stakes winner earlier in the day when Tarleton easily accounted for a smart field of Golden Slipper hopefuls in the Group 2 Darley Pago Pago Stakes (1200m). 

The win increased De Beers residual value immensely and considering the colt had an impressive win over the flying filly Virage de Fortune and a healthy purse it was only his second success from 11-starts with the Guineas purse taking his earnings past $460,000. 

His sire Quest For Fame was one of the pioneer shuttle sires with a win in the 1990 English Derby amongst his 19-start career. He laid claim to being one of the best middle distance performers of his time for Europe and America, collecting cheques in nine group one events, seven of them first-three place effort, for connections. Following his win in the English Derby, he raced successfully in America winning the Group I Hollywood Turf Handicap (2000m) and the Group 2 Santa Anita San Luis Obispo Handicap (2400m).

Quest for Fame has a pedigree free of Star Kingdom and Mr Prospector, being by Blushing Groom’s greatest 2400m performers and sires in Rainbow Quest, the sire of 18 Group One winners, from the French 1000 Guineas winner Aryenne, a daughter of the Nijinsky French 2000 Guineas winner Green Dancer.

October 17th, 2005

Woodlands stud have enjoyed a great run with their stallions and on Saturday at Caulfield, Quest For Fame added a black-type success when gelded son Roubechon claimed the Listed Jayco Cup (registered name: Gothic Stakes (1400m)).

Ridden by Nick Ryan, Roubechon (ex Fleischer by Danehill), settled nicely behind Alike and The Boot who took the field along at a strong tempo.  Letter of Intent, by another Woodlands sire Commands, moved up on the outside of Alike as they approached the turn, with Roubechon close up.  The Boot began to struggle at the 300m and Letter Of Intent raced past him.

Despite racing greenly Roubechon closed strongly and he grabbed the front from Letter Of Intent (ex Lady Letter by Geiger Counter) to score by a head.  Airstream (Ashkalani - Queen Moranbon by Bering) had a nice run through the field and closed nicely for third 1-1/4 lengths away.

Although Roubechon's win was narrow it was most impressive, mark him down in your black book.

September 19th, 2005

The heavy track at Caulfield didn't pose any problems for Quest For Fame's five-year-old son Sarrera and he scored a solid win in the Nad Al Sheba Club Classic (2000m) on Saturday.

Sarrera settled mid-field with Emerald Jack making the running and when Greg Childs asked Sarrera for an effort he made ground from the 600m onwards to round the turn with top-weight Swift Tango to join Emerald Jack.  

With Swift Tango's condition giving out, Sarrera (ex Zamsong by Zabeel) settled down for a duel with Emerald Jack (Celtic Swing - Out With The Old by Star Way) over the last 200m.   Sarrera showed plenty of fight to prevail by a head from Emerald Jack with Swift Tango (Desert Prince - Ballet Society by Sadler's Wells) three-quarters-of-a-length away in third.

In recording his fourth win from just an 11-start career Sarrera has shown plenty of promise and it might pay to add him into your black book! 

August 7th, 2005

Woodlands based Quest For Fame always has a nice horse to represent him and on Saturday at Caulfield, The Rhine opened the 2005-06 season on a winning note for the son of Rainbow Quest.

The heavy track didn't pose a problem for the three-year-old who began well only to drift back in the field. With genuine speed up front set by Indicative (Redoute's Choice), who appeared to not handle the heavy conditions after a furlong, Automation pushed through to take control.

Wildwood Road (Armidale) raced up beside Automation, ensuring a solid tempo.  However, it was evident that before the home turn that while the leaders were travelling well, The Rhine, was enjoying a soft run off the pace ridden by Blake Shinn. 

Shinn, kept The Rhine out wide in the better part of the track allowing him to stride up to the leaders with 200m to go and off they went to claim a 1-1/4 length victory over Automation (Fasliyev - Bird On A Wire by Prego).  

Line Account (Secret Savings - Conga by Mukaddamah) was another 2-1/4 lengths away in third.

The Rhine (ex Lorelei by Danehill), who was gelded during his break, gave his rivals a start, weight and handed out a good old fashioned beating!  

March 15th, 2005

Youth jumped straight to the front in the VRC Listed Chubb Stakes (registered name: March Stakes) at Flemington on Saturday and thanks to a brilliant tactical ride by Darren Gauci he showed plenty of courage to hang on for his third stakes victory.

Gauci's long association with Youth was used to full advantage. Aware that the son of Quest For Fame had a strong liking for the track and distance he used every bit of his knowledge and skill to slow the speed to his advantage. After allowing Youth a mid-race breather. Gauci, then asked him to sprint his last section, 600m in 34.31seconds. 

Youth did his part by hanging on to collect the prize by a short-half-head over Our Smoking Joe (Encosta de Lago - Dalzing by Blazing Sword) with a neck to  Country Lodge (Grand Lodge - Coalition by Pre Emptive Strike) in third.

Youth is easily the best son of the Archregent mare, Versatile, who is the dam of nine foals and five winners, including the stakes placed Veteran (Canny Lad), she is a half-sister to the AJC GI Doncaster Handicap winner Over (Dr Grace) and Widden Stakes winner Riona (Strategic).

February 21st, 2005

At the Sha Tin meeting in Hong Kong on Sunday, Quest For Fame's son Perfect Partner jumped straight to the lead in the Gold Cup to control the race to claim an all the way victory in the rich event.

Perfect Partner (ex Stockings by Whiskey Road) is known in Australia as Masked when formerly owned by Woodlands Stud having won five consecutive races during the winter of 2003 culminating with a win in the STC Listed Winter Stakes. 

Since his sale to Hong Kong interests, Masked has now won over $2.1 million in prizemoney.

Perfect Partner had 1-3/4 lengths on the Danehill five-year-old Floral Dynamite while grand mare Elegant Fashion (Danewin) ran her usual honest race for third. 

January 16th, 2005

Youth scored a first class win in the listed Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Owned by the Woodlands Stud, Youth, gave his Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes a little more to smile about as Rupert Clarke, who served on the committee of the Melbourne Racing Club from 1951 to 1988 and as chairman for 16 years, has been one of Hawkes' valued clients for more than ten years.

Wayne Hawkes said at the presentation, "It is good to win this race because Sir Rupert is in hospital." 

Clarke has a number of horses with Hawkes including My Gibreel (El Moxie) who had no luck when he finished near last in the Robert Taranto Hcp earlier in the day.

Among Clarke's best Hawkes-trained horses have been 1994 C S Hayes stakes winner Cannibal King and Miss Windsor.

Ridden by stable rider Darren Gauci, Youth (ex Versatile by Archregent) scored by three-quarters of a length and survived a protest from Stephen Baster on Lord Volksraad (Volksraad - Morangie by Cache of Gold) with Grundy's Crossing (My Patriarch - Highly Strung by Western Symphony) a long head away third.

November 28th, 2004

Medieval Legend chalked up his third victory from six starts at Moonee Valley in the Here For Life Handicap (1500m) on Saturday.

Showing a distinct liking for the course Medieval Legend (ex Show Her the Money by Slew O'Gold) raced on the pace and was much too good for his rivals defeating Butten Shaw (Peintre Celebre - Starry Way by Danehill) by 1-1/4 lengths with Gaju Chief (Jugah - Cream Kiss by Lord Seymour) a short-half-head away in third.

November 7th, 2004

At NCF Doomben, Press claimed the Broadway On The Mall Handicap (1640m) in a close finish on Saturday.

Press (ex Musak by Palace Music) had a half-head over Rangers (Night Shift - Good Sort by Sir Tristram) with Finnigan (Pirate Army - Cream Silk Lady by Dancing Brave) a long neck away in third. 

October 24th, 2004

At Rosehill on Saturday, Gator bounced back to winning form in the Nova 96.9 Marquee Handicap (1500m).

Ridden by Todd Pannell, Gator (ex Crocodile by Marauding) appreciated being ridden off the speed to finish the race off best to win by a half-length over Desetta (Desert Sun - Symphonetta by Western Symphony) with Aemille (Grand Lodge - Sally Lou by Salieri) the same margin away in third. 

October 14th, 2004

September 29th, 2004

Quest For Fame's son Squad, wasn't on his best behaviour at Warwick Farm on Saturday, he reared in the gates, lashed out with his front legs, then passed a veterinary inspection, and then he went on to win the Listed Dulcify Quality (1600m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday. 

"He took bark off his leg on the tendon but it was only superficial," said jockey Darren Beadman. 
"He was lucky they even let him run." 

The three-year-old steely grey gelding was pushed through a gap in the straight by Beadman and raced away for a convincing length and a half win from Abu Simbel (Danewin - Famewin by Quest for Fame) with Restless Wind (Canny Lad - Timeless Winds by Mister C) three-quarters-of-a-length away third. 

Squad (ex Crew by Sanction) may now back up in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday, October 2nd.

Later that day in Queensland, Experience (ex Trousseau by Biscay) gave Quest For Fame his second winner on the day in the Class 5 Handicap (1200m) at the Gold Coast by 1-1/2 lengths.

At Moonee Valley on Saturday, Medieval Legend confirmed his liking for the track recording a good win in the Dominant Homecare Mile (1600m). 

Berezny just led as the field settled down, however Dot Com's rider, Ryan Maloney, was keen to join him and they kept at each other till the 1000m peg.  Maloney finally got his way and took over and slowed the tempo until the 700m.  At this point Brett Prebble on Medieval Legend made his move and went forward three wide.  Medieval Legend (ex Show Her the Money by Slew O'Gold) kept improving out wide to take over as the field cornered and went home to score a solid three-quarters-of-a-length win over Bohemian Dancer (Blues Traveller - Sent to War by Centaine) with Berezny (Bellotto - Hutt Star by Semipalatinsk) running on well for third three-quarters-of-a-length away.   

Woodlands Stud’s Quest For Fame had an international double on Saturday. The honest homebred filly Beatitude (ex Felicity by Night Shift) scored a hard fought half-neck victory over stablemate Peel (Commands - Triviality by Vain) in the David Jones handicap (1400m) at Randwick on the Kensington track before his 5yo gelding Shot To Fame gave the former Epsom Derby winner group success in England in the Group Three Michael Page International Silver Trophy Stakes (1600m) at Ascot. 

After two disappointing performances at Pontefract and Newbury earlier this year Shot To Fame slaughtered a 14-runner field by upwards of 11-lenghts in a conditions race at Kempton. It was his first win since taking a maiden at York on his career debut almost three years ago. He did not have to wait as long for his next victory. At his following start a month later Shot To Fame added a mile conditions race at Nottingham before going down narrowly to Gateman (Owington) in the Listed Midsummer Stakes at Windsor on June 26. The two met again in the International Silver Trophy Stakes. Though he was slightly worse off at the weights Shot To Fame held a narrow head advantage over his game rival on the line. 

Winning trainer Peter Harris indicated he will step the 5yo gelding up in class. "We might go to Group Two next time”, Harris told P.A. Sport. “This was our first run in Group company, so it was a question today of seeing how we fared. I think now we've been successful we'll get out the programme book. Goodwood would be a likely place." 

The son of Quest For Fame takes his lifetime record to 4 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 18 starts for earnings of £80,743. 

A FF160,000 yearling purchase at the 2000 Deauville August sale, Shot To Fame is a half brother to Cherry Hinton Stakes (G2) winner Spinola (Spinning World). His dam Exocet (Deposit Ticket) is a daughter of Parliament House (General Assembly) a winning three-quarter sister to Celtic Assembly (Secretariat) the dam of Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) and Haydock Sprint Cup (G1) winner Cherokee Rose (Dancing Brave) and Windsor Park Stud’s champion New Zealand stallion Volksraad (Green Desert). 

Parliament House is also a half sister to Prix du Cadran (G1) winner Molesnes (Alleged) and Horris Hill Stakes (G3) winner Celtic Heir (Czaravich) who ran second to Cossack Warrior in the 1987 Carlyon Cup (G2).

At Flemington on Grand National Hurdle Day, Quest For Fame's son Clowns was in a class of his own in winning the Heaven Extras Hcp (2000m) on Saturday.

With plenty of pace on in the early stages, Clowns ridden by Darren Gauci was able to settle towards the rear of the field.  The field packed rounding the home turn with Umdinger (Umatilla), Domineer Prince (Prince of Birds) and Mchale (Prince of Praise) leading the charge home.  

Delvecchio, charged to the lead at the 300m mark with Clowns coming with his run down the centre of the track.  Clowns (ex Titillate by Grosvenor) had too much in reserve and strode past Delvecchio (Green Perfume - Human Touch by Deputy Governor) to score by a neck with Ascana (Scenic - Mamawa by Military Plume) 2-1/4 lengths away in third.

Santissima gave apprentice Todd Pannell his biggest race win with a gutsy effort in the $70,000 Mounties Southern Cross Series Final (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The three-year-old Quest For Fame filly was burdened with topweight of 58.5kg and conceded up to 5.5kg to some of her rivals.

Pannell was content to let Santissima settle at the rear and when the small seven-horse field fanned on straightening he brought the filly right down the outside to give chase to the leaders.

Santissima (ex Sashed by Sir Tristram) kept giving under her big weight to prevail by a head from Verb (Zabeel - Darra Princess by Vain) with another 1-1/2 lengths to Mr Aristos (Danewin - Princess Yeats by Yeats) in third.

Santissima has shown a liking for the Rosehill circuit this campaign having won her last three outings  at the track.

Quest For Fame is having a fantastic season turning out another winning metropolitan double on Saturday.

In Sydney, apprentice rider Todd Pannell has struck a winning partnership with Santissima making it two in a row in winning the MTA Roadservice Series (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Pannell's claim of three-kilos gave the three-year-old a top chance against the older mares along with her infinity with the track, punters sent her as favourite.  

Santissima (ex Sashed by Sir Tristram) showed plenty of courage holding off the fast finishing Reve (Flying Spur - Pre Packer's Dream by Luskin Star) to score by a head. Dolphicate (Dolphin Street - Copy Girl by Unduplicated) was 3-lengths away in third.

In recording her fifth win, Santissima took her earnings past $280,000 and she appears to be improving.

Earlier in the day at Victoria Park, Sister Declan opened her winning account with a tough effort in the Schweppes Handicap (1250m).

Sister Declan (ex Cloister by Marauding) beat Dakasha (Flying Spur - Going Raja by Well Decorated) by a short neck with Pure D'Or (Dieu D'Or - Purify by Baptism) 2-1/4 lengths away in third.

Another interstate metropolitan double for Woodlands Stud stallion Quest For Fame on Saturday.  

Magic Quest saluted in the Paddock Handicap (1600m) recording this third career win from 11 starts, ridden by  Danny Beasley and prepared by John O'Shea, Magic Quest made every post a winner at Randwick.

Zinzin (Celtic Swing - Causette) jumped away well from barrier five, but Beasley allowed Magic Quest to stride heading  Zinzin and control the tempo.  Turning for home Beasley switched off the rails and while it gave Zinzin a gap to go through.  Beasley was confident on Magic Quest (ex Lodore Magic by Kingdom Bay) and travelling strongly allowing the Magic Quest more rein scoring by two-and-a-quarter lengths from Zinzin with Awol (Royal Academy - Westland) a half-neck away third.

Two hours later at Moonee Valley, Clowns stuck his head out when it mattered most in the Andale Beer Dispensing Equipment Plate (2040m).

Ridden by the come back kid Eddie Wilkinson and prepared by the Hall Fame trainer, John Hawkes, Clowns (ex Titilate by Grosvenor) was given a copy book ride from a bad barrier and was too strong for Prince Hal (Danehill - Palace Revolt) scoring by a short-half-head.  Future Analysis (Ladoni - Miss Clayton) another 1-1/4 lengths away in third. 

In South Australia at Morphettville, our present-day champion trainer and the newest member to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, John Hawkes, kept the cerise army on a winning roll with Entangle winning the Carlton Draught St Leger (2500m). 

Entangle (ex Mingle by Brief Truce) stuck his head out when in mattered most in a tight finish beating Zingo (Zabeel - Wild Applause by Sadler's Wells) with Tiona (Blevic - Fager's Charm by Mustin Lake) four lengths away in third. 

Entangle's win was his second career victory and appears to be a promising stayer of the future, owned by the Ingham Brothers who were also inducted into the Hall of Fame associate ranks, Entangle helped the team cap off a memorable week. 

In New South Wales earlier in the day at Rosehill, Santissima (ex Sashed by Sir Tristram) was the first leg of Quest For Fame's interstate metropolitan double in the John Cootes Furniture Series (1200m). 

Santissia is also prepared by Hawkes for the Woodlands Stud syndicate. 

Tough Quest for Fame gelding Genesis, prepared by his owner - trainer Greg Wehlow, landed his second win in a row when the five-year-old won the Watch Out Concepts Handicap (1615m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Genesis has preformed every start this campaign with a phenomenal run that has seen the gelding record four wins and three seconds from, seven starts in the last eight weeks!

Wehlow suggests, it is the simple Genesis thrives on racing that has made it possible for the horse to undertake such a schedule – and Genesis proved the truth of Wehlow’s words when responding in determined fashion in a pressurised finish to again land the odds. 

Adding further credit to both horse and trainer is the fact that these four wins of Genesis have come over distances ranging from 1615m to 2200m. On three of those occasions Genesis has been partnered by Justin Stanley, who once again played his part in a driving finish to underline just what a good affinity he has with the horse. 

But it is Genesis’ toughness that commands most attention. A close-up fourth at a strong gallop in a breakaway group of four early in the race, Genesis was placed under severe pressure in the run home. 
Stanley had to switch off the rail at the 200m mark to get around the leaders, by which time there were runs aplenty exploding from behind. Still fourth with 100m to go, with runners flat out all around him, Genesis simply refused to be beaten and stretched out strongly to reach the lead when it mattered most, beating Queen Amildala (Kenvain - Gotha by Rustic Amber) by a short neck with Revolutions (Spinning World - Rebel by Bletchingly) a long-head away in third.

Wehlow is now thinking of the Rockhampton Cup as a possible target, or the Easter Cup in Brisbane, in two weeks time, as Genesis’ immediate goal.

Hardly a weekend goes by without Quest For Fame siring a metropolitan winner and Saturday was no exception when his five-year-old son Genesis took out the feature race on the card at Eagle Farm the Irish Association Cup (1826).

Prepared by Greg Wehlow, Genesis had chalked up three consecutive seconds and the step up in grade with a nice weight drop was all that he needed.

Ridden by Justin Stanley, who jumped Genesis away from barrier two to settle fourth in the run until the home turn where he switched out into the centre of the track to line up his finishing effort. 

With the free-running Top Marc (Canadian Silver - Prime Page by Best Western) easily pegged back and Celtic Trial (Celtic Swing - Te Akau by Jugah), who had tracked Genesis to the turn, shrugged off. Genesis fought hard to hold off the late charge of Nauders (Tirol - Mardisi by Marscay) to claim victory by three-quarters-of-a-length.  Celtic Trial ran home for third 1-1/2 lengths astern. 

At the Saturday night meeting held at Moonee Valley, Dracula's full sister Insouciance collected her second career win in a thrilling finish.

Insouciance settled well back off the speed set by the good looking Desert Sun filly, Song Of The Sun (ex Song of Norway by Vain).  As Song Of The Sun took the field around the home corner she pinched a break. Insouciance, who was ridden by Steve King skirted wide on the home turn to obtain a clear run home and chased hard catching Song Of The Sun in the last stride by the barest margin.

Insouciance (ex Awards Ceremony by Kaoru Star) is also a very nice looking filly and appears well above average and wouldn't be out of place in stakes company.  

Three-year-old Quest For Fame gelding Skittles recorded his second career victory in the All Saints Boys Golden Jubilee Plate (1300m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

Prepared by Tim Martin for Exceed And Excel's part-owner Nick Moraitis Skittles helped the them enjoy a big day with an interstate double. 

Skittles stepped out twenty minutes before her high profile stable mate to record an easy 5-1/2 length win over Danish Magic with another 2-1/4 lengths back to Santissima in third.

When Exceed And Excel went to the post as favourite in the million dollar group one Newmarket Handicap the pair must have hoped that it was a sign of what was about to unfold.

Ridden by Jim Cassidy, Skittles jumped straight to the front and was never headed and just kept increasing her winning margin to score the easy win.

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Skittles was having his second start of the summer and took his stakes past $82,000.  He was purchased by Martin at the 2002 William Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Baramul Stud for $175,000.

Quest For Fame four-year-old gelding son Schlep (ex Traipse by Bletchingly) showed plenty of courage in winning A Few Good Men Handicap (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Schlep had been forced to race wide without cover when he won at Balaclava on February 11th, and yesterday his rider Jeff Maund made the most of Schlep's light weight to score a long neck win over top weight Sadler Joh (Johann Quatz - Fer de Cheval by Wolverton).  Anyone We Know (Casual Lies - Western Hula by Western Symphony) was three-quarters-of-a-length away in third. 

A winning metropolitan double for Quest For Fame on Saturday. 

Five-year-old gelding Genesis (ex Musak by Palace Music) landed a 1-3/4 length win in the Minimovers Handicap (2200m) at Doomben.  

It was Genesis fifth victory from 30 starts. 

Later on in the day at Randwick on the Kensington track, Alqsar (ex Spanish Mix by Esperanto) ran a class record in the Quaddie Handicap (1400m) to score a four length victory over My Tally (Johan Quatz - Fabuleux by Travolta) with Architrave (Woodman - Night Sister by Night Shift) a short-head away in third.  

Woodlands Stud never expected Quest For Fame to be a sire of 2YO's, he was an English Derby winner after all.  What an impression he has created producing black type juveniles in every Australian crop.  

This afternoon at Gosford was no exception for Quest For Fame when Gator (ex Crocodile by Marauding) ran out a very easy winner of the Listed Gosford Slipper (1100m).

Ridden by Cory Brown, Gator jumped from barrier 7, settling well back behind the early speed set by Tides Of Fun (Rory's Jester - Christies Beach, by Naturalism) with Deafen (Dangerous - Orchestrations by Palace Music) sitting second on the rail.  

Once Gator rounded the home turn, Brown eased him to the outside of the pack, letting down to run home far to well for his rivals scoring a very impressive three length win.  Tides Of Fun battled on well for second half-a-length clear of Deafen in third.