Friday 27 December 2019

James McDonald guides True Enough to victory in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie (Trish Dunell)

McDonalD True enoughin Zabeel ClassiC

PreFerMenT leaDS hoMe WallerTRiFeCTa in DasHinG bMW TRiUMPH

Continued on page 3

What a difference a year makes.

expat new Zealand jockey James McDonald rode True Enough (NZ) (nom Du Jeu) to victory in the Thames cup (1600m) in January and nearly a year later he reunited with the six-year-old gelding to record a group one victory in the cambridge

Stud Zabeel classic (2000m) at ellerslie on Boxing Day.

McDonald was delighted with the victory and said True enough has blossomed in the 12 months since he last rode him.

“I am two from two on him now, he might have to follow me across the Tasman,” he said.

“If you had told me that a year ago (that he would win a group one), I would probably have said he wouldn’t have got out of that handicap grade, but he has done a marvelous job.

“It’s well-deserved for the horse. he has been so consistent the whole way through, there’s probably no horse

https://www.pencarrowstud.co.nz/

Friday 27 December 2019

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Ben’S DaY BrIghTeneD BY DeSerVeDROTORUa sTaKes Win FOR illUMinaTi

McDonalD True enoughin Zabeel ClassiC

(Continued from page 1)

that deserves it as much as him.”It was a stellar day at ellerslie for

McDonald who won earlier on the card aboard Jennifer eccles (nZ) (rip Van Winkle) in the gr.2 SKYcITY eight carat classic (1600m) and only in Jakarta (Snitzel) in the headquarters Viaduct/The lonely hearts club 1200.

Trainers Murray Baker and andrew Forsman also had a good day at the office after winning the opening race of the day with artiste (nZ) (Mastercraftsman), but they were over the moon with True enough’s victory in the feature race.

The son of nom du Jeu has been in a purple patch of form this season, recording three wins and two placings from five starts, including victories in the gr.3 red Badge Sprint (1400m) and gr.2 coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m), and a last start placing in the gr.1 captain cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham, and his trainers were delighted with their charge’s breakthrough victory at elite level.

“every time we raise the bar for him he just keeps stepping up, and now he is a group one winner,” Forsman said.

“he ran out the mile at Wellington as though he needed 2000m and it had to be a good ride in a quality field today and it was spot on.”

Forsman said True enough has now earnt a break and will most likely return for some autumn targets.

“We have no real plans, he may deserve a break now off the back of that and consider racing into the autumn.” – nZ racing Desk

Race ARC Zabeel Classic Gr.1 2000m.

Winner True Enough (NZ) 2013

Owners Mrs D G Outtrim, Mr W H Outtrim, Mr B A V Preston & Mrs V A Preston

Trainer Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman (Cambridge)

Breeding by Nom du Jeu out of Valda’s Dream by Sakura Seeking (USA)

Breeder B A V & Mrs V A Preston; Waikato; NZ

True Enough comes back to the Ellerslie

birdcage as a Group One winner

(Trish Dunell)

Friday 27 December 2019

4

claSSY FIllY SheDS MaiDen sTaTUs in sTyle

aMarula ProVIDeS claSS ReMinDeR aT HasTinGs

glance at the rip Van Winkle filly’s record quickly makes a mockery of that maiden status given she was relegated to second at hawke’s Bay at her first start this season before finishing in the first four in her next three starts at stakes level, including a runner-up finish behind loire (nZ) (redoute’s choice) in the gr.1 new Zealand 1000 guineas (1600m).

Punters needed no convincing of her class as they installed her as the

The tag of new Zealand’s best maiden was emphatically stripped from the shoulders

of exciting three-year-old Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (rip Van Winkle) when she stormed past her female age group rivals to take out the gr.2 SKYcITY eight carat classic (1600m) in the hands of visiting rider James McDonald.

although she had yet to salute the judge in six previous starts, a cursory

$1.90 favourite for the fillies feature and she didn’t disappoint courtesy of a James McDonald special.

McDonald was content to settle beyond midfield as Showoroses (nZ) (Showcasing) set up a hot speed in front and was a conservative six lengths off the pace at the halfway point.

eased to the outside, Jennifer eccles and McDonald bided their

James McDonald has Jennifer Eccles comfortably in front at Ellerslie (Trish Dunell)

Continued on page 5

Friday 27 December 2019

5

gold Stakes (gr.3, 1600m) and then to the oaks (gr.1, 2400m).

“There’s a little question on getting further but she’s got such a good turn of foot and she’s so laidback, that will help her.”

McDonald was impressed by the effort of Jennifer eccles, his second win on the day’s programme after piloting the unbeaten only In Jakarta (Snitzel) to victory in race five.

“She’s a really nice filly who was a little bit keen early,” he said.

“I was able to pop off (the fence) three-wide and she just cruised into it. She’s got a devastating turn of foot and it was a really good win.

“up to a mile and a quarter she has a blistering turn of speed and that will get her out of a lot of trouble.

“She will be competitive all the way through as she gave me an excellent feel.”

raced by the challenge no. 10 Syndicate, Jennifer eccles was purchased by syndicate manager adrian clark for just $5,000 from the Westend Partnership draft at the 2017 national Weanling Sale.

McDonald later made it a black type double for the day when successful aboard True enough (nZ) (nom Du Jeu) in the gr.1 cambridge Stud Zabeel classic (2000m).

– nZ racing Desk

Race ARC Eight Carat Classic Gr.2 1600m.

Winner Jennifer Eccles (NZ) 2016

Owners Challenge No.10 Syndicate (Mgr: Adrian Clark)

Trainer Shaune Ritchie (Cambridge)

Breeding by Rip Van Winkle (IRE) out of Platinum Elle by Elnadim (USA)

Breeder Westend Partnership; Waikato; NZ

Sales 2017 National Weanling; Broodmare & Mixed Sale V: Westend Partnership $5000 P: Adrian Clark B/stock Consultancy

(Continued from page 4)

The large syndicate of owners behind Gr.2 SKYCITY Eight Carat Classic (1600m) winner Jennifer Eccles celebrate on the Ellerslie podium. (Trish Dunell)

claSSY FIllY SheDS MaiDen sTaTUs in sTyle

time until well into the home straight where the Shaune ritchie-trained filly was asked to go. The response was instantaneous as she dashed to the front and put the result beyond doubt as she held out a late charge from Two Illicit (nZ) (Jimmy choux) with Showoroses battling on gamely for third.

ritchie was quick to sing McDonald’s praises after the contest.

“That’s why he is a champion jockey and one of the world’s best,” ritchie said.

“She’s a sweetheart of a filly with a great nature and obviously we will have to make a challenge on the filly’s series (new Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year).

“We will probably go to the Desert

Contact: John Thompson 021 779 931 or Karl Mihaljevich 021 247 8892p +64 7 888 3833 e richhillstud@xtra.co.nz www.richhillstud.co.nz

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Watch Video

Friday 27 December 2019

7

long WaIT oVer For luValuVain sUMMeR CUP

all The WaY For aZaBoYin CHaMPiOnsHiP sTaKes

The win was Jennings’ first at group Three level with his biggest previous success the Provincial championships final on Bobbing (Beneteau).

Jennings was unsure how connections managed to select him for the luvaluva ride but was grateful they had thought of him.

“It’s such a relief to officially knock off a group race,” he said.

“I’ve won a few races that were worth more than this, but they weren’t group races and these are the races we grow up wanting to win.

“I think anyone could have done the job on her today.

“This was her race. I felt I was the winner a long way out.

“I was swinging off her at the half mile and I didn’t have to move an inch,

Luvaluva storms to an overdue stakes victory at Royal Randwick (supplied)

More than 18 months after signalling her class with a group Three win, Luvaluva

(NZ) (Mastercraftsman) has claimed an overdue victory in the gr.3 Summer cup (2000m) at randwick.

Since her triumph in the gr.3 adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) as a three-year-old in april 2018, the John Sargent-trained luvaluva has raced in top company but struggled to crack it for another first prize until Thursday.

and she made it look easy, striding clear to beat Black on gold (Sebring) by 2-3/4 lengths under a confident ride from Koby Jennings.

Sargent had kept luvaluva to shorter distances this campaign with her mission last month’s $1 million The gong (1600m) at Kembla grange.

She finished sixth as the equal favourite then developed a minor infection in a hock which scuppered plans to take her to Perth or new Zealand on a group one mission.

The trainer decided to give her one more start before a short spell, taking her back up in distance to the 2000m of the gr.3 Summer cup.

“It’s a long time since she won but she’s always been against the best horses,” Sargent said.

“We produced her against the best three-year-olds and she won but it has taken a while since.

“It’s just been one of those years for her but hopefully those things are all behind us now and she can bounce into 2020.”

she just did it all on her own.“She was flying.”

- aaP

Race ATC Summer Cup Gr.3 2000m.

Winner Luvaluva (NZ) 2014

Owners Seymour Bloodstock, Mr M L Connaghan, Mr B J Creith, Mr M B Trevaskis, Mr S C O’brien, Mr A Gennusa, Mr S W Kennelly

Trainer John Sargent (Randwick)

Breeding by Mastercraftsman (IRE) out of Wansesingyee (AUS) by Galileo (IRE)

Breeder C R Grace; Central; NZ

Sales Ready to Run Sale V: Surrey Farm $55000 P: JG Sargent

Friday 27 December 2019

8

oDeon BreaKS WInleSSsTReaK aT CaUlFielD

aMarula ProVIDeS claSS ReMinDeR aT HasTinGs

“he’s an honest sort of horse, but things haven’t quite gone his way and a lack of fitness probably told the other day.

“You can see why we get frustrated when they win like that.

“You know they have a ton of ability when you watch them work Tuesday and Friday and gallop like they do, but they can’t win a race.”

Zahra said that win a little over two years ago had pushed odeon up too high in the ratings and because of his consistency had continued to be around a similar mark.

odeon had a peak rating of 99 while he raced off a handicap rating of 96 on Thursday.

“he got rated out of a lot of races which is why I harp on about it,” Zahra said.

“With horses like him you can see what they can do, but he’ll get another four or five (points) today and that will make him hard to place.

“You get frustrated in that sense, but he always goes out and tries.”

With the expected ratings rise, Zahra said he and co-trainer Mathew ellerton would need to study the calendar to find a suitable race.

“he’s got another listed win in him somewhere I think,” Zahra said.

“he enjoys caulfield, he enjoys that quick tempo, so we’ve got to keep him to those races where we know we’re going to get a fair bit of speed.”

Bred by Valachi Downs’ Kevin hickman, odeon was sold through the Matamata Farm’s 2015 new Zealand Bloodstock yearling draft.

Odeon stretches out for an overdue win at Caulfield (Quentin Lang)

odeon (NZ) (Zacinto) has broken a winless streak with victory in the listed lord Stakes (1700m)

at caulfield.co-trainer Simon Zahra said

Thursday’s victory was like winning a group one race after the gelding had been winless for so long.

odeon’s last win came in the listed cup Day Plate (1800m) on Melbourne cup day in 2017.

Providing craig Williams with the third leg of a winning treble, odeon was sent off the $3 equal favourite before defeating co-favourite Future Score (cape cross) by 1-1/2 lengths.

While winless for an extended period, odeon was consistent and in the 19 starts since that Flemington win had finished in the top five on 16 occasions.

“There was a lot of pressure on today and it was like winning a group one race,” Zahra said.

Race MRC Lord S. L 1700m.

Winner Odeon (NZ) 2013

Owners Mr H H Wee, Mr M J Bracchi, Mrs E M Bracchi, Mr J Kovacevic, Mrs O Kovacevic, Mr D W Franklin, Mr K W Franklin, Mr S D Kempster, Mrs A Kempster, Mr R S Hafner, Mrs D Hafner, Leacra, Mr R M Crook, Mrs T L Crook, Mr T R Pocock

Trainer Matthew Ellerton & Simon Zahra (Flemington)

Breeding by Zacinto (GB) out of Theatre Buff (USA) by Theatrical (IRE)

Breeder K J Hickman; Canterbury; NZ

Sales 2015 National Yearling Sale - Select Sale V: Valachi Downs $77500 P: APS Racing

https://www.mapperleystud.co.nz/

Friday 27 December 2019

10

Ben’S DaY BrIghTeneD BY DeSerVeDROTORUa sTaKes Win FOR illUMinaTi

PrecIouS VIcTorYFOR ReGally-bReD MaRe

Wingatui trainer claire anderton got the christmas present she wanted this year, it was just a day late.

Stable star The Precious One (NZ) (Darci Brahma) had been knocking on the door at stakes level for some time and the five-year-old mare was able to deliver for her connections on Boxing Day when recording her breakthrough black-type win in the listed Southern Wide realty hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui.

She beat home fellow local raise You Ten (nZ) (raise The Flag) by 1-1/2 lengths, with a further 1-1/2 lengths back to canterbury raider Sensei (Dream ahead) in third.

The daughter of dual group one winner and new Zealand champion Three-Year-old of her year, The Jewel, had previously been runner-up twice at stakes-level and anderton was delighted to get the result on her home track.

“We have all known that she has got the ability, but it was just giving her the chance to be able to show it,” anderton said.

“She has gone some amazing races. That’s the first open race that she has won, but she has gone some super races.

“She was second in this race last year and she was second in a group Three last year at christchurch.

“even when she went up north she went a super race at ellerslie, but we have had a bit of bad luck since then.”

anderton said she would let the dust settle before mapping out future plans with her connections.

“We haven’t talked about any plans yet. We are just taking her one race at a time with the problems that she has had. We might have to look at going across the cook Strait now.

“We will just get her home and make sure everything is alright and then talk with the owners and make a plan.”

The Precious one’s victory continues a stellar season for sire Darci Brahma who has experienced a series of black-type wins through his standout crop of three-year-olds, that includes gr.1 new Zealand 2000 guineas (1600m) winner catalyst (nZ).

he will be represented by 12 Book 1 yearlings and eight Book 2 yearlings at new Zealand Bloodstock’s national Yearling Sales at Karaka next month.

– nZ racing Desk

Apprentice Brett Murray celebrates his victory aboard The Precious One (Wild Range

Photography)

anderton was pleased with The Precious one heading into the race, despite trailing the field home in a 1220m contest at cromwell earlier this month, and said she was aided by the drizzle of rain on Thursday.

“I have been very happy with her. We are still scratching our heads over cromwell, but she had a nice encouraging run at Invercargill (third) and probably got a lot of confidence out of that run,” she said.

“When the rain came, that was always going to aid her chances a wee bit.”

a trip north is now on the cards for The Precious one after Thursday’s result, however,

Race ORC Southern Wide Realty Hazlett Stakes L. 1200m

Winner The Precious One (NZ) 2014

Owners A G, K J, M C & P R Dennis

Trainer Claire Anderton (Wingatui)

Breeding by Darci Brahma out of The Jewel by O’Reilly

Breeder A G, K J, M C & P R Dennis

Friday 27 December 2019

11

TraVellIng lIghT TaKeS ouT FiRsT bOxinG Day FeaTURe

Jason Waddell gets busy on Travelling Light as she heads to victory at Ellerslie (Trish Dunell)

Continued on page 7

exciting filly Travelling Light (NZ) (el roca) bounced back to winning form when she took out the listed Shaw’s Wires ropes uncle remus Stakes (1400m) at ellerslie on

Boxing Day.The el roca three-year-old was having her first run since

finishing third in the gr.1 new Zealand 1000 guineas (1600m) at riccarton last month.

That was the first defeat for Travelling light at just her fourth career start and she showed she had taken plenty of experience from the race and trip down south with a thoroughly professional performance to defeat promising colt harlech (nZ) (Darci Brahma) in a desperate finish to the contest.

Stand-in rider Jason Waddell, who was substituting for the suspended Sam collett, took a midfield sit off a torrid pace set up by My World (nZ) (Jimmy choux) before improving into a challenging position approaching the home turn.

Waddell asked for a serious effort early in the run home and Travelling light burst to the lead. however, the five-week break between runs looked to be taking its toll on the filly who was in danger of being run down by the fast-finishing harlech and hasstobegood (nZ) (Per Incanto), who both issued stern challenges in the final 100m.

Travelling light dug deep and found plenty for Waddell as she held out her pursuers to register her fourth career success and second at stakes level having earlier won the gr.3 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) on the course back in october.

Waddell was quick to mention the work Sam collett had done with Travelling light and the assistance she had given him before the race.

“My condolences to Sam collett as she has ridden this horse in every piece of work, every trial and every raceday and an untimely suspension cost her the ride,” he said.

“She gave me some insight on the horse, so thanks to Sam.“She (Travelling light) is a fantastic filly. I thought we might

have been a bit closer but we got a good run and when I pulled her out at the corner, she wobbled a bit and we probably got there a bit soon.

“She’s as brave as they come though.”owner col Macrury was still trying to catch his breath as

he waited in the ellerslie birdcage for the filly he co-bred and

owns with his father Ian.“That’s really special, especially for the breeding looking

further down the track,” he said.“The granddam (Bay D’ore) was a Te akau racing horse that

we owned in partnership. We bought her and bred the dam cissy Bowen and now this filly.

“People always say to you that you’re mad putting the money into horses but when you love it and you really believe in the family then days like today are just fantastic.”

Macrury advised that another tilt at a group one prize was next on the agenda for the filly.

“She needed that run today as she had 14 days in the paddock after the guineas,” he said.

“She did that on sheer ability today and she will definitely go to the levin classic (gr.1, 1600m) next.”

The gr.1 levin classic (1600m) is the feature event at Trentham on January 11. – nZ racing Desk

Race ARC Shaw’s Wires Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes L. 1400m

Winner Travelling Light (NZ) 2016

Owners C R & I MacRury

Trainer Ben Foote (Cambridge)

Breeding by El Roca (AUS) out of Cissy Bowen by Colombia

Breeder C R & I MacRury

https://brighthillfarm.co.nz/

Friday 27 December 2019

13

PreTTY To Sea liFTs CaMbRiDGe sTUD sPiRiTs

Pretty To Sea beats Avantage to win the Listed Hallmark Stud Sprint (1200m) at Ellerslie (Trish Dunell)

In what has proved to be a tumultuous and tragic week for cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo lindsay, the victory of two-year-old filly Taroni (NZ) (Showcasing) and

then underrated mare Pretty To Sea (NZ) (ocean Park) in the listed hallmark Stud handicap (1200m) at ellerslie has brought a small measure of joy to the couple.

The lindsay’s had the misfortune to lose their outstanding stallion Tavistock during the week which cast a pall across the entire stud before personal tragedy struck overnight with the sudden passing of Brendan lindsay’s sister, Sonya harper.

The close knit new Zealand racing community breathed a sigh of relief when Taroni saluted in the familiar black and gold lindsay racing colours in the second race on the ellerslie programme and when Pretty To Sea caused a minor boil-over in the feature sprint on the card there was hugs and smiles all around for the cambridge couple.

unlucky at her previous start when slow away from the barriers at Te rapa, Pretty To Sea enjoyed a copybook ride from ex-pat kiwi Mick Dee who had her travelling sweetly

Continued on page 14

Friday 27 December 2019

14

PreTTY To Sea liFTs CaMbRiDGe sTUD sPiRiTs

Bred by Waikato Stud, Pretty To Sea has now won four of her 20 starts with three of those coming since her return to new Zealand just over twelve months ago. She is the fourth foal of Pins mare Pretty (nZ) and hails from the extended family of multiple group one winners Vision and Power (nZ) (carnegie) and glamour Puss (nZ) (Tale of the cat).

– nZ racing Desk

in midfield throughout, albeit a long way off tearaway pacemaker Mumms Jewel.

With a wall of horses across the track at the 200m mark it was Dee and Pretty To Sea who dashed to the lead with favourite avantage (Fastnet rock) in hot pursuit. The pair set down to a tight tussle with the ocean Park mare gaining the upper hand to win by a head.

Trainer Stephen Marsh was delighted with the victory given the circumstances it was gained in.

“When she got out of the gates better, I thought that’s a bit of us, although she lost a lot of ground and ended up in an awkward spot,”

he said.“obviously the lindsay’s have got something on their

shoulders today as they have had such a bad run.“If there was one horse that could win today, I wanted this

for Brendan and Jo.“It’s great to see them get a couple of winners as I’m really

proud to have one win in their colours and I hope this can cheer them up a little bit.”

Marsh has his eyes on a group one prize with the mare who did her early racing in australia, as she holds a nomination for the gr.1 Sistema railway (1200m) back at ellerslie on new Year’s Day.

“It was a really good, genuine speed and I was happy when I saw Mick pull her to the outside,” Marsh said.

“I thought she was going to get a fair bit of it and she got the thick end of the prize.

“She’s in it (the railway) so why wouldn’t you have a crack at it.”

Cambridge Stud’s Brendan Lindsay (Trish Dunell )

Race ARC Hallmark Stud Handicap L. 1200m

Winner Pretty To Sea (NZ) 2014

Owners B J Lindsay MNZM and Mrs J E A Lindsay

Trainer Stephen Marsh (Cambridge)

Breeding by Ocean Park out of Pretty by Pins (AUS)

Breeder Waikato Stud

Sales 2016 National Yearling Sales – Premier Sale; V: Waikato Stud, P: Mr KB & Mrs NJ Agent; $150,000

(Continued from page 13)