Date posted March 3, 2010 | Posted by Michele Cullen | Filed under
Oratorio_IRE,
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Racing and BreedingMelbourne, Vic (March 3rd, 2010) - The progeny of Danehill’s three-time G1 winning son Oratorio have really begun to hit their straps in recent weeks with the Kenny Rae-trained Upsala (ex Cinquilla by Mark of Esteem) continuing that good run at Te Rapa in New Zealand on Wednesday to become his sire’s third individual winner in Australasia from his first southern hemisphere crop.
Sent off a short priced favourite, Upsala began well and was always travelling comfortably just behind the speed. Angling across heels rounding the turn, he shot away at the top of the straight and despite idling in the closing stages he still had a length to spare at the line. It was a good win for the colt who is very highly regarded by connections.
“He probably got to the front a little too soon, but he’s strong and tough” said Rae post race.
“He’s a very good horse, right up there with the best I have had. He looks as good as either Egyptian Ra or Egyptian Raine did at the same stage,” continued a delighted Rae who in making such a favourable comparison with two of the best horses he has trained, illustrated his high regard for Upsala.
“I might have a look at the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce for him and further down the line I think he’s a horse that I could bring to Queensland in the Winter for some of their better two-year-old races”.
Upsala’s effort in winning over 1200m as a juvenile is particularly commendable given his somewhat stamina laden pedigree. His dam Cinquilla was a winner of 2600m in France and is a grandaughter of Darshaan, while her dam, Dal Segno, was a winner over 2300m and is a daughter of Sadler’s Wells. With this in mind, it would be no great surprise to see him continue to improve with time and over more ground.
Oratorio’s yearlings have maintained their popularity throughout the yearling sales season. In New Zealand a colt from Chaleur sold for $NZ240,000 at Karaka while another colt from Pacific Dreams realised $200,000 at the Inglis Classic sale. In Victoria over the past three days of selling at the Premier sale, his stock sold to Mornington trainer Pat Carey for $60,000, to New Zealand for $75,000 and South Africa for $80,000.
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