Category Archives: High Chaparral

Easy VRC St Leger win for High Chaparral colt

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High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells – Kasora, by Darshaan) colt Hippopus (High Chaparral – Straight Eight, by Danske) continued his autumn emergence with a stylish success in Thursday’s Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington.

Hippopus won twice at Canterbury earlier in his campaign before the three-year-old acquitted himself well when second in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and fifth to another son of High Chaparral, It’s A Dundeel (High Chaparral – Stareel, by Zabeel) in the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick at his last outing.

Hippopus found himself against a moderate field at level weights but the colt still had to see out the 2800 metres of the VRC St Leger.

However, a soft run courtesy of experienced jockey Craig Williams gave Hippopus every chance to stay the trip.

Hippopus found clear running early in the straight before striding away to beat the Mick Kent-trained maiden McNulty (Refuse To Bend – Lost Horizons, by At Talaq) by three lengths to become the 41st stakes winner sired by High Chaparral.

“He looked like the right horse if he brought his Sydney form down and he clearly did,” Williams said.

“I spoke to Gai in Sydney and said if you bring him down, and he’s pulled up well for the Derby, he’s just too good for these horses in Melbourne.

“He really showed his class and showed that the form he brought here today. I was very impressed with the feel that he gave me today. He’s a really nice progressive staying horse.”

Waterhouse paid $NZ340,000 for Hippopus at the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka. The son of the stakes-placed mare Straight Eight (Danske – Straight Line, by Straight Strike) took his earnings to more than $220,000 with his Flemington success.

Derby Deel Dun a long way from home

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The engraver began etching It’s A Dundeel’s (High Chaparral) name on the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) trophy just before the field entered the straight in Saturday’s Randwick showpiece.

The colt had progressed from last to within three lengths of the leaders within a few strides while jockey James McDonald sat quietly from the 600 metres.

McDonald made only a minor move with his hands at the 400 metres but that was enough for the brilliant son of High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells – Kasora, by Darshaan) to push home his dominance over his opposition with dynamic acceleration.

It’s A Dundeel strolled to the post six lengths clear of the honest Philippi (Host – Soorena, by Encosta De Lago) while Kingdoms (High Chaparral – A Real Princess, by O’Reilly) give High Chaparral two of the three Derby placegetters when he finished third.

High Chaparral sired the trifecta in the 2010 ATC Australian Derby when Shoot Out (High Chaparral – Pentamerous, by Pentire) defeated Descarado (High Chaparral – Karamea Lady, by Lord Ballina) and Monaco Consul (High Chaparral – Argante, by Star Way) in a thrilling finish but It’s A Dundeel’s performance ended the 2013 edition of the ATC Australian Derby as a contest a long way from the finish.

It’s A Dundeel saved his best for the final leg of the Sydney three-year-old Triple Crown after the colt claimed the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at his previous two outings.

“He did it pretty easily, didn’t he,” It’s A Dundeel’s trainer Murray Baker said. “He’s so relaxed and so laid back.

“To win three Group Ones in Sydney is pretty special.”

It’s A Dundeel could progress to take on the older horses in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 27 but irrespective of where he goes next, the veteran of only 11 starts will be a major player as a spring four-year-old next season.

It’s A Dundeel blitzes Rosehill Guineas rivals

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Rapid acceleration is what separates outstanding performers from good horses and a blistering turn of foot caused It’s A Dundeel’s (High Chaparral – Stareel, by Zabee) Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) rivals to be racing for second a long way out.

New Zealand trainer Murray Baker added blinkers to It’s A Dundeel’s gear for his last successful outing in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Rosehill on March 16 and the ‘shades’ helped the colt produce another brilliant effort in the Rosehill Guineas.

The son of High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells – Kasora, by Darshaan) had to make up vast amounts of ground, usually from last, before the blinkers sharpened his focus sufficiently to have It’s A Dundeel travelling comfortably closer to the speed, giving jockey James McDonald the chance to save his mount’s devastating burst for another furlong.

McDonald asked It’s A Dundeel to improve from the 600 metres before the three-year-old quickened in scintillating fashion to be within a length of the front-runners early in the straight.

It’s A Dundeel raced away from his opposition to score by almost six lengths, taking a tight grip on favouritism for the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) on April 13 but also forcing his trainer to compare him to Derby winner Nom Du Jeu and the top weight-for-age galloper The Phantom (Noble Bijou – The Fantasy, by Gate Keeper), who both raced with distinction on both sides of the Tasman Sea.

“He’s right up there with The Phantom and Nom Du Jeu,” Baker said. “It was a brilliant win.

“When he was back second last I thought “geez”, but we know he’s got that big sprint and he can sustain it. The improvement he has shown from the spring to the autumn is amazing.”

Baker has ruled out any thought of sending his rising star to the Group 1 BMW (2400m) at Rosehill next Saturday with the trainer solely focussed on It’s A Dundeel becoming the second son of High Chaparral to win an ATC Australian Derby. Shoot Out (High Chaparral – Pentamerous, by Pentire) led home a trifecta for the Coolmore Stud stallion in the 2010 edition of the Randwick classic.

“Of course the BMW is tempting but he won’t go there,” Baker said. “The Derby is the race we want.”

Guineas deal Dun for High Chaparral colt

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The addition of blinkers gave brilliant High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells – Kasora, by Darshaan) colt It’s A Dundeel (High Chaparral – Stareel, by Zabeel) an extra facet to his already impressive arsenal, which came in handy in Saturday’s Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Warwick Farm.

It’s A Dundeel showed class, acceleration and staying ability in his spring campaign, which reaped a Group 3 win in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) as well as a victory in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m). Defeats in Melbourne ended It’s A Dundeel’s 2012 campaign but a solid fourth after getting out of his ground in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) showed the colt had returned in great order.

It’s A Dundeel’s trainer Murray Baker said the outstanding galloper had worked in blinkers previously but not raced in them. They had the desired effect as It’s A Dundeel jumped much better and raced beyond midfield but closer than usual for jockey James McDonald.

McDonald weaved It’s A Dundeel through the field to be near the leaders rounding the home turn before his electrifying sprint, so often used to make up ground, sent him clear of his opposition at the 300 metres.

High-class colt Proisir (Choisir – Prophet’s Jewel, by Encosta De Lago) refused to give in over the last furlong, which kept him with a half-length but he was unable to stop It’s A Dundeel joining Shoot Out (High Chaparral – Pentamerous, by Pentire) as a son of High Chaparral that claimed the Randwick Guineas.

Baker said the blinkers may not remain as part of It’s A Dundeel’s armoury as he heads to the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Group 1 ATC Australian Derby, which Shoot Out also won in 2010.

“I thought the blinkers would help, especially at Warwick Farm,” Baker said. “He’s worked in them on and off in New Zealand but it’s hard to tell because he doesn’t do much on the track.

“It’s nice to know he can race in them but whether we keep them on or not we’ll decide later.

“I knew once he got to the front they wouldn’t peg him back.”

Baker said adding the Randwick Guineas to his many Australian Group 1 wins, including the ATC Australian Derby with Nom Du Jeu (Montjeu – Prized Gem, by Prized) and Victoria Derby with Lion Tamer (Storming Home – Lioness, by Generous), only enhanced the pleasure he got out of crossing the Tasman Sea to conduct raids on the local prizemoney.

“I love racing my horses here,” Baker said. “The money’s good, the jockeys are good and I wish someone would send some to New Zealand and show them how it’s done.”

It’s A Dundeel is one of eight Group 1 winners, all male, sired by High Chaparral. The colt is a son of Stareel (Zabeel – Staring, by Fiesta Star), who is out of the dual Group 1 winner Staring (Fiesta Star – Sweet Violet, by In The Purple), who won the New Zealand Oaks and Auckland Classic in her racing days.

Another double for High Chaparral at Kembla

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Developing colt Kingdoms (High Chaparral – A Real Princess, by O’Reilly) began a running double for Coolmore Stud stallion High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells – Kasora, by Darshaan) with his narrow win in the Holcim Maiden Plate (1400m) at Kembla Grange.

Bart Cummings bought Kingdoms for $NZ470,000 at the 2011 NZB Premier Yearling Sale but his owners switched the colt to the John O’Shea stable after one start for the master trainer.

Kingdoms showed he has a bright future after he ran home hard on the inferior inner section of the track to score by a head over the Patinack Farm runner Deter (Husson – Affrettarsi, by Belong to Me).

“I was going to nominate him for a 1600 metre maiden at Wyong next week, but we’ll have to scratch that plan now,” said O’Shea.

“He’s just a young colt that I ultimately think will end up in a very nice staying race of 2000 metres or further.”

Kingdoms’s dam A Real Princess (O’Reilly – Aulide, by Snippets) is a sister to the top Hong Kong performer Unique Jewellery (O’Reilly – Aulide, by Snippets) and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Marju Snip (Marju – Aulide, by Snippets) and Group 2 victor Do Ra Mi (Savabeel – Aulide, by Snippets).

Durable mare Geemeup (High Chaparral – Landara, by Kreisler) completed High Chaparral’s double when she coped with a four-day back up to win the SWH Business Solutions.

The Bjorn Baker-trained five-year-old won on heavy ground at Rosehill last Saturday before dropping back to Benchmark 70 company to score another strong win.

 

Fastnet Rock colt wins G2 Vase

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Fastnet Rock (Danehill – Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) colt Super Cool (Fastnet Rock – Queen Mother, by Kingmambo) has upset the hot favourite It’s A Dundeel (High Chaparral – Stareel, by Zabeel) in Saturday’s Group 2 Mitchelton Wines Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Spring Champion Stakes winner It’s A Dundeel was expected to continue on his winning way in the $220,000 event but the race did not pan out his way around the tight Moonee Valley track.

It’s A Dundeel settled last but failed by 1-3/4 lengths to beat Super Cool, who settled midfield before taking off early to give the favourite a tough task to reel him in down the straight.

Flemington trainer Mark Kavanagh said Super Cool would progress to next Saturday’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) where he will have a rematch with It’s A Dundeel.

“The Derby has always been on the agenda after his first start and he has taken a bit of tweaking, he got blocked in on the rails a couple of times but he is peaking at the right time,” Kavanagh said.

“He is pretty big and pretty gross so he can only improve.”

Super Cool became the 39th stakes winner for Fastnet Rock with his Moonee Valley success.

 

Coolmore boosts 2013 Ireland roster

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Coolmore Stud has confirmed dual-hemisphere Group 1 winner So You Think (High Chaparral – Triassic, by Tights) will shuttle to stand in Ireland once his southern hemisphere duties are complete

The dual Cox Plate winner began his stud career this season at Coolmore’s Jerry’s Plains operation but will stand his first northern season at Coolmore Ireland in 2013.

Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo – Sequoyah, by Inchinor) will also head to Coolmore’s Irish base after starting his breeding career at Coolmore’s US operation Ashford Stud. Henrythenavigator sired his maiden Grade 1 winner when Pedro The Great (Henrythenavigator – Glatisant, by Rainbow Quest) took out the Phoenix Stakes (6f) at Curragh in August.

Group 1 2000 Guineas winner Power (Oasis Dream – Frappe, by Inchinor) will also stand at Coolmore Ireland next season after his retirement from racing.
Power also won the Group 1 National Stakes in Ireland as a two-year-old to accompany his Group 2 Coventry Stakes (6f) win at Ascot last year.

Coolmore Ireland will also stand a son of Exceed And Excel (Danehill – Patrona, by Lomond) when Excelebration (Exceed And Excel – Sun Shower, by Indian Ridge) retires to the stud for next season. Excelebration will run in the Group 1 Champion Stakes (10f) at Ascot later this month before a likely start at the Breeders’ Cup meeting in the US in November.

“So You Think, Excelebration, Power and Henrythenavigator are all multiple Group 1 winners and Henrythenavigator has already proven himself capable of siring Group 1 winners,” said Coolmore’s Eddie Fitzpatrick. “They’re all exciting prospects with very bright futures.”

Eight to run in Caulfield Stakes

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Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) shapes as a battle between two runners – the New Zealander Ocean Park (Thorn Park – Sayyida, by Zabeel) and the triple Group 1 winner Manighar (Linamix – Mintly Fresh, by Rubiano).

A field of eight has accepted for the $400,000 race but bookmakers have Ocean Park and Manighar as clear favourites ahead of the Group 2 Memsie Stakes winner Sincero (Umatilla – Yours As Always, by Prego).

Sons of Coolmore Stud stallion High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells – Kasora, by  Darshaan) have won the past two editions of the Caulfield Stakes with Descarado (High Chaparral – Karamea Lady, by Lord Ballina) winning last year and So You Think (High Chaparral – Triassic, by Tights) claiming the race in 2010.

High Chaparral does not have a representative this year but his Coolmore barn mate Galileo (Sadler’s Wells – Urban Sea, by Miswaki) will be represented by the Macedon Lodge import Midas Touch (Galileo – Approach, by Darshaan).

The Galileo cross with Darshaan mares has realised individual 12 stakes winners.

No Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Sire
1 MANIGHAR (FR) Peter G Moody Luke Nolen 6 59kg Linamix
2 SINCERO Stephen Farley Michael Rodd 2 59kg Umatilla
3 MIDAS TOUCH (GB) Robert Hickmott Hugh Bowman 5 59kg Galileo
4 ALCOPOP Jake Stephens Dom Tourneur 8 59kg Jeune
5 SANAGAS (GER) Bart Cummings Brad Rawiller 1 59kg Lomitas
6 OCEAN PARK (NZ) Gary Hennessy Glen Boss 7 58kg Thorn Park
7 SABRAGE Michael Moroney Kerrin McEvoy 3 58kg Charge Forward
8 VATUVEI Peter G Moody Ben Melham 4 58kg Reset

 

High Chaparral colt brilliant in Spring Champion

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Classy High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells – Kasora, by Darshaan) colt It’s A Dundeel (High Chaparral – Stareel, by Zabeel) maintained his unbeaten status in spectacular fashion in Saturday’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Another undefeated colt, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Proisir (Choisir – Prophet Jewel, by Encosta De Lago) started as an odds-on favourite but early circumstances led to a surprise when Proisir did not assume his pacesetter role, which had allowed him to crush his opposition last time out in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle last month.

The fact Prosir settled further back than intended allowed It’s A Dundeel’s jockey James McDonald to keep the favourite in sight for the entire race.

McDonald moved forward to pocket Rawiller and Proisir approaching the home turn but the Tulloch Lodge colt still managed to skip two lengths clear after accelerating slickly at the 400 metres.

It’s A Dundeel took long to wind up but his powerful finish was enough to get the Murray Baker-trained colt home in a thrilling finish.

It’s An Dundeel was the second son of High Chaparral to win the Spring Champion Stakes  after Monaco Consul (High Chaparral – Argante, by Star Way) won the event in 2009.

Monaco Consul went on to claim the Group 1 VRC Derby for his trainer Mike Moroney before beginning his stud career at Patinack Farm last year.

Baker said It’s A Dundeel would attempt to emulate Monaco Consul at Flemington.

 

Randwick stakes double for High Chaparral’s sons

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Shoot Out (High Chaparral – Pentamerous, by Pentire) is already a Derby winner sired by Coolmore stallion High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells – Kasora, by Darshaan) and the sire might have another Derby contender on his hands after a bumper day at Randwick.

High Chaparral’s terrific son Shoot Out notched his fourth Group 1 win, and third at Randwick, with his victory in the George Main Stakes (1600m) while It’s A Dundeel (High Chaparral – Stareel, by Zabeel) showed himself to be a Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) chance with his win in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m).

It’s A Dundeel’s unbeaten record looked to be in tatters when the three-year-old trailed the field when the Gloaming Stakes line-up turned for home before the Murray Baker-trained colt stormed home to score a thrilling victory, his fourth from as many starts.

The smart colt is on track for the Spring Champion Stakes and Victoria Derby double while Shoot Out prevailed in a fight with grand gelding Rangirangdoo (Pentire – She Wishes, by Kenfair) over the concluding stages of the George Main Stakes.

Shoot Out’s George Main Stakes success added the weight-for-age event to his Randwick Guineas and AJC Australian Derby victories from his three-year-old days.

It’s A Dundeel’s breakthrough Gloaming Stakes win ensured the three-year-old became the sire’s 39th Stakes victor.