Rocket Man aimed at Patinack Farm Classic

Australian-bred Singapore sprint champion Rocket Man is a likely visitor to Melbourne for the 2011 Patinack Farm Classic according to VRC Chief Executive, Dale Monteith.

‚ÄúOver the weekend Mr Fred Crabbia, owner of Rocket Man, had informed the Club that, subject to suitable quarantine arrangements, Rocket Man would be targeting the 2011 Patinack Farm Classic.” Monteith said yesterday.

Rocket Man

Rocket Man

Rocket Man is not the only international horse targeting the Patinack Farm Classic according to Monteith. “In addition, the VRC and RVL have issued an invitation to the connections of the Hong Kong trained, Ultra Fantasy, winner of the 2010 Japan Sprinters Stakes. Formal invitations will also be issued to the winners of each of the upcoming UK legs of the Global Sprint Challenge, the King’s Stand Stakes, Golden Jubilee Stakes, both at Royal Ascot, and the July Cup at Newmarket”.

“Danny O’Brien’s Star Witness and Peter Moody’s Hinchinbrook would both become eligible to compete for the $600,000 bonus in the 2011 Patinack Farm Classic should they win one of the Global Sprint Challenge races in the UK”.

The bonus, which will apply for at least three (3) years, is structured to ensure that the Patinack Farm Classic will attract internationally performed runners to the race, and is also an added incentive for Australia’s best sprinters to compete overseas.

“This aspect of the bonus available for the Patinack Farm Classic is important to note, as it will encourage Australian sprinters to travel overseas for Global Sprint Challenge races and thereby become eligible to win the bonus in November each year.” Monteith added.

Posted in SDB

Oaks winner tops second day of National Sale

The 2007 Victoria Oaks winner Arapaho Miss sold for $650,000 to head the second session of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale yesterday.

The daughter of Danehill Dancer (Ire) earned over $600,000 and yesterday, offered in foal to Lonhro, she was purchased by Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud.

Arapaho Miss

Arapaho Miss

“She’s a quality mare in foal to an in form stallion (in Lonhro). She is a welcome addition to the Baramul Stud broodmare band.” Harvey said afterwards.”We’ve been able to buy some lovely mares over the past couple of days including Military Rose, Arapaho Miss, Rendzina and Sweepstaking.”

Melbourne-based bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy, buying under Belmont Bloodstock Agency, signed for the second highest priced lot of the day, the Group 2 winner Astrodame from the draft of Coolmore Stud for $465,000.

By champion sire Flying Spur, Astrodame earned over $500,000 on the track, highlighted by the 2006 W H Stocks Stakes (Gr 2) at Moonee Valley. The nine year-old sold with a positive test to More Than Ready (USA).

Group performer Acquired (O’Reilly) sold for $430,000 to Mick Malone from Kitchwin Hills. Consigned by Attunga Stud, the six-year-old has won seven races and finished second in the 2010 Dane Ripper Stakes (Gr 2).

So far 332 lots have sold, grossing $16,025,350 at an average of $48,269 and clearance rate of over 76%.

Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox said the momentum created during yesterday’s first session continued on Monday. “It’s been pleasing to see that yesterday’s solid opening to the sale has continued today with good interest at most levels of the market.”

“The quality mares put up for sale attracted plenty of interest as can be seen through the likes of Arapaho Miss, Astrodame, Acquired and Donnadane. People came wanting to do business and that is what has happened.”

“There was a good vibe around the grounds over the past few days.”

The National Broodmare Sale concludes today with the third session proir to the focus switching to next week’s National Yearling Sale.

Five for Arrowfield stallions

A treble to Hussonet (Mr Prospector – Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) has provided the backbone to a five-win Sunday for Arrowfield Stud.

The stallion picked up winners in three states. Hussonet had winners at Casterton in Victoria, Nowra in New South Wales and at the Sunshine Coast Cushion track meeting in Queensland.

Riveted (Hussonet – Lace Wing, by Caerleon) provided Hussonet’s most lucrative success of the day. The Ciaron Maher-trained five-year-old scored a strong win in the $25,000 Casterton Cup (2000m).

The Kurt Goldman-trained Arms Length (Hussonet – Apart, by Rahy) took out the King horn Belle Of The South Handicap (1200m) at Nowra before Hussonator (Hussonet- Broenne, by Brocco) claimed the Bank Of Queensland Caloundra Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast.

Arrowfield enjoyed further success with Golden Slipper winner Danzero (Danehill – Confidentially, by Kaoru Star) providing the Hunter Valley operation with a two-country double. The Robert Smerdon-trained Marked Danger (Danzero – Shiny, by Forest Glow) won the Highview Accounting Services Maiden Plate (2025m) before Australian trainer David Hall produced Fastplus Master (Danzero – Tehama, by Centaine) to win the Quicken Away Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin in Hong Kong.

New Gr 1 winner for Encosta de Lago

Delago Deluxe (3 c Encosta de Lago – Succeeding, by Flying Spur) extended his unbeaten run to four when leading home another Australian-bred Tennessee Strategy (Stratum) ¬†to win¬†the Group One R500,000 Tsogo Sun Maverick Medallion (1200m) at Scottsville in South Africa on Saturday.

Trained by Charles Laird, Delago Deluxe was sent out the favourite after three wins from three starts and he extended his unbeaten run in style.

Despite getting off the track over the concluding stages, Delago Deluxe was able to cruise home under Anton Marcus to win in outstanding fashion.

The result was a great one for trainer Charles Laird and Australian bred performers sold by Magic Millions. Runner-up Tennessee Strategy completed a dream result for connections – like the winner being trained by Charles Laird for major stable clients Ingrid and Markus Jooste.

Delago Deluxe sold for $550,000  the 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when consigned for sale by Baramul Stud while  Tennessee Strategy (Stratum -Tennessee Red by Red Ransom) was bred by Patinack Farm and sold by them for $130,000 at the same 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Sister Madly sells for $1 million

Group winning mare Sister Madly topped the first session of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on Sunday when selling for $1 million.

Offered by Ian Smith’s Edinburgh Park, Sister Madly attracted an opening bid of $500,000 before selling to¬†Bill Mitchell, acting on behalf of Segenhoe Stud, with the final bid of $1 million.

“She’s a beautiful mare and Segenhoe are delighted to have purchased her,” Mitchell said. “She is an outstanding type.”

“The mare still has a future on the racetrack and she will be heading to¬†the stables of John Sadler in Melbourne prior to joining the broodmare band at Segenhoe.”

“She is by a champion sire and is a half sister to a champion sprinter in Silent Witness – she has a lot going for her,” Mitchell added.

Group winning General Nediym filly Military Rose, was purchased by Baramul Stud for $800,000.¬†Military Rose proved herself one of the star juveniles of the country and shot to prominence by winning last year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic and two runs back the three-year-old filly beat the boys in the Gold Coast Guineas.

“She will race on until she heads to stud in September,” Baramul Stud’s Gerry Harvey reported.¬†”Gillian (Heinrich) will keep training her for me and hopefully she can win another feature race or two before she is retired.”

Harvey said purchasing Military Rose made sense.¬†”I own Magic Millions and I haven’t owned a Magic Millions (Classic) winner, so I thought I would change that!”

“She’s a top class mare and she will visit Redoute’s Choice in her first season at stud later in the year,” Harvey summed up.

All up today almost $7.4 million was traded on 171 fillies and mares at a healthy average price of $43,259.

A healthy buying bench of clients from around Australia and overseas was on hand to bid on their picks of a quality catalogue.

“Most vendors met the market and the clearance rate of over 77 per cent was encouraging,”¬†Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox¬†said.¬†”There was spirited bidding on many lots and the buyers were delighted with their purchases with great value on offer.”

“It was nice to see the market accept the star mares Sister Madly and Military Rose with strong prices – mares of their quality are rarely offered at auction.”

“We have some great prospects to go through the ring during tomorrow’s second session from 10am,” Cox summed up.

The sale continues Monday.

Sister Madly

Sister Madly

High five for Lonhro

Game mare Beaded’s (Lonhro – Subtle, by Night Shift) win in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 headed an outstanding day for Darley stallion Lonhro, who sired five individual winners around Australia.

Beaded’s Peter Snowden stablemate Scarf (Lonhro – Muffle, by Quest For Fame) provided the sire’s Randwick winner after the three-year-old gelding claimed the Blackwoods Handicap (1200m). The Paul Perry stable provided Lonhro’s ninth two-year-old success of the season when Diva Dior (Lonhro – Nurmaah, by Rock Of Gibraltar) took out the EJE Architecture Maiden Plate (900m) at Newcastle.

Lonhro’s winning run also extended to Victoria after the sire posted a winning double at Tatura. The Mick Price-trained Platamone Castle (Lonhro – Al Rosolini, by Waajib) took out the CPA Packers Handicap (1980m) before What A Treat (Lonhro – Modellista, by Redoute’s Choice) claimed the Phoenix Design Handicap (1100m).

Lonhro’s quintet of successes took his win tally for the season to 115. The former champion racehorse will stand at Darley Kelvinside for $77,000 in 2011.

No turnup in Grand Prix

Turnitup registered his first stakes success with a determined victory in the Grand Prix Stakes (Gr 3) over 2200 metres at Doomben.

Enjoying a lovely ride from Luke Nolen, Turnitup was ready to make his run into the straight and then stayed on strongly to defeat Mr Light Blue (Fantastic Light) in a tight finish.

“He’s still a work in progress but he progressively getting better with racing,‚Äù Nolen said later. “You have to get him to sleep in the first half and sometimes he wants to fight you a bit and then when you go full bore on him he wanders about a bit.‚Äù

“This race today will boost his confidence greatly and hopefully he’ll go into the Derby with his tail swishing, I think he’ll be some sort of chance in it too. He bulldogged it out and I think the Derby trip will suit as well, the boys are a bit thin this year. He will definitely improve off his first run beyond 2000m today and should be a live chance in the Derby.‚Äù

Turnitup (3 g Dane Shadow – No Finding, by Hula Chief) is the fifth stakeswinner for his sire and has now won $197,350.

Deserved Group 1 success for Beaded

Beaded registered her first Group 1 success with a hard fought victory in yesterday’s $650,000 Carlton Mid Doomben 10,000 (Gr 1).  Having looked likely to score a comfortable win when moving alongside Love Conquers All early in the straight, Beaded was pushed all the way to the line by a game Love Conquers All, scoring by a nose in a bobbing finish.

Having been placed four times at the highest level, Beaded is now a Group 1 winner in her own right, and the second for her sire Lonhro.

‚ÄúThat is special, fantastic, a great finish and no one could begrudge her that.‚Äù trainer Peter Snowden said . ‚ÄúI said to Corey [Brown] this filly is a touch underdone today, we weren’t really expecting it to be the race it is going to be.‚Äù

“I said save her until late but I could see his eyes light up coming to the corner she was travelling so well. She probably just weakened over the last 50m but that will bring her on.”

‚ÄúI feel in my mind the Stradbroke she will be a bit better again and then the Winter Stakes,‚Äù Snowden said. ‚ÄúI honestly thought when I first brought her into work ‘If I win a midweek race in town with her I will be happy with her.‚Äù Snowden said.

“She is a no frills horse, she is as big as an ant. but is by Lonhro which is a big plus. She’s had 20 starts and only missed a place once and that was fourth in the Stradbroke from barrier 20, she got beaten a neck. That’s the sort of horse she is.‚Äù

Beaded (5 m Lonhro – Subtle, by Night Shift) has now won 10 of her 20 starts and has earned $1,233,780.

New Testa Rossa stakes winner

Fontelina broke his maiden in style by winning yesterday’s $100,000 Phoenix Slipper (Listed) at Doomben. Having finished second on debut at Canterbury on May 18, Fontelina was always handy and was ready to make his run in the straight. The Testa Rossa colt ran on well to defeta Lucky Morna (Ferocity) with Cinderockinrella (Fastnet Rock) holding on well for third.

“It was a very good result,” trainer Anthony Cummings said. “He’s not the perfect racehorse yet, he still has a lot to learn but he has a good will to win, good ability and he will certainly make the grade.”

Fontelina is now likely to tackle the T J Smith Stakes (Gr 1) over 1600 metres at Eagle Farm on June 11. “He will take a lot out of this race, he will improve a lot.” Cummings said.

‚ÄúHe will have a good blow after this and will go back home and eat up because he has a bigger appetite than me. We’ll go onto the T J Smith in a couple of weeks time and we are glad we made the trip.‚Äù

Fontelina (2 c Testa Rossa – Decipher, by Timber Country)  is the 33rd stakes winner for his sire.

Group 1 chance for Mossman

Vinery Stud resident Mossman (Success Express – Lichen Lady, by Twig Moss) has two chances to post his first Group 1 win as a sire in Saturday’s Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m).

The scratching of short-priced favourite Hay List (Statue Of Liberty – Sing Hallelujah, by Is It True) has left a field of eight to contest the $650,000 feature. Mossman’s sons Love Conquers All (Mossman – She’s A Meanie, by Prince Salieri) and Buffering (Mossman – Action Annie, by Anabaa) are among the favourites for the Doomben 10,000.

DOOMBEN 10,000 – GRP 1 – WFA – 1350 METRES – OF $650,000
TAB NO. HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY SIRE
1 SNIPER’S BULLET TRACEY BARTLEY JAMES WINKS BITE THE BULLET
2 BLACK PIRANHA CON KARAKATSANIS HUGH BOWMAN CLANG
3 HAY LIST SCRATCHED   STATUE OF LIBERTY
4 ALL SILENT GRAHAME BEGG BRENTON AVDULLA BELONG TO ME
5 LOVE CONQUERS ALL HAWKES RACING CHRIS MUNCE MOSSMAN
6 BORDER REBEL SUE GRILLS TIM BELL JOHANNESBURG
7 BEADED PETER SNOWDEN COREY BROWN LONHRO
8 BUFFERING ROBERT HEATHCOTE LARRY CASSIDY MOSSMAN
9 NO EVIDENCE NEEDED JOHN THOMPSON DWAYNE DUNN SHAMARDAL