Date posted August 27, 2010 | Posted by Warren Wruck | Filed under
Racing and BreedingUnder grey skies and in blustery conditions, Widden Stud held the first of their series of stallion parade days on Thursday with special guests Gai Waterhouse and David Hayes in attendance Waterhouse was there to lend support to her former charge Dreamscape, retired to Widden this season, while Hayes was there for the other new Widden recruit this season, Nicconi.
The dual Gr. 1 winning Nicconi was fresh out of quarantine only the day before following his return from his UK mission where he ran a closing fourth in the Royal Ascot King’s Stand Stakes Gr. 1, behind Equiano, and then an unplaced run in the Gr. 1 July Cup behind Starspangledbanner.
Antony Thompson provided the assembled guests with an informative commentary on the Widden stallions starting with Snippetson who has come off the back of an impressive season of first crop runners. He was second leading first season sire by wins behind his barnmate Stratum.
Strada was presented next and as a $750K Easter yearling he is most certainly a looker. His first crop will race this season.
Lucky Owners looked in fine fettle much to the delight of his Hong Kong owner Mr Leung. The sire of current star Masquerader, he was a serious racehorse in his own right and his other progeny to date include the likes of The Heckler and The Hombre. And interesting to note that Gai Waterhouse did comment that her best early season 2YO is a Strada.
The American, War Pass, is a breathtakingly handsome individual and his race record is simply outstanding. As Antony said, “He is the best performed 2YO to shuttle to Australia from the US.”
Next out was the blindingly quick sprinter Northern Meteor, considered to be the best son of Encosta de Lago at stud. The Gooree Stud owned horse was Australia’s most popular young stallion last season and was retired sound…..and young. The veteran of only nine starts, his early retirement was a purposeful, considered decision by his owner Eduardo Cojuangco who believes that the best stallions are lightly raced.
Sebring, one of two Golden Slipper winners on the roster, looked exceptional with his trademark copper sheen coat as eye-catching as always. As a Slipper winner, at Widden, he has a mighty record to uphold: every Golden Slipper winner to stand at Widden (with a crop of racing age) has sired a Slipper winner! That is, in itself, an amazing statistic. One would be brave indeed to bet against Sebring upholding the tradition.
Stratum, the other Slipper winner on the roster and sire in his first crop of 2010 Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily, simply set new standards for a first season sire, for a 2YO sire in general, and won every gong available. Not since the great Danehill has a stallion sired a winner of the Golden Slipper in his first crop. Stratum does look to be the one who will set the benchmark for sons of Redoute’s Choice at stud, just as Bletchingly did all those years ago at Widden for his sire Biscay. It is history repeating: the best son, of the best son, of the best son.
Dreamscape looks all set for his new career and he will have the best start possible. A Gr.3 winner on debut in the Up and Coming Stakes, he always was a scary talent type of racehorse and like Northern Meteor is Gooree owned. And like Northern Meteor shares a common female line ancestress in Roughshod. The son of Choisir is very well priced too at $9900 including GST. He had a knack of beating Group 1 winners in his races with Duporth, Rangirangdoo and Triple Honour among horses to finish in his wake. Gai Waterhouse spoke during lunch about Dreamscape and was very enthusiastic about his chances.
Nicconi
Last out was Nicconi, winner of the AJC Galaxy at 3 years and the VRC Lightning at 4 years, a rare short course Group 1 double. The last horse to complete this double was the great Schillaci. David Hayes his trainer spoke of his amazing speed and that he is literally the fastest horse he has ever clocked at Lindsay Park. His other owners, Peter Devitt, and Craig and Russell Gordon, also made the trip up from Melbourne for the day, and were excellent company at lunch it must be said.
Widden will be conducting more parade days right through until Monday. This is a seriously good line up of stallions, the parade is conducted in the most professional manner and the horses are turned out in magnificent order. If you have the opportunity attendance is not to be missed.
