The Listed Inglis Scone Guineas will be the autumn target for Ontrack’s classy filly Baroda when she returns to racing in the autumn. The $200,000 Guineas is a Listed 1400 metres race at Scone in May that’s restricted to graduates of the Inglis Sale Series. Baroda scored her third win in succession when she handled the step to Saturday metropolitan class with ease in class record time at Eagle Farm on Saturday but is now out in the paddock for a short spell. Baroda headed to the Eagle Farm QTIS 3YO Handicap fresh from two dominant Doomben wins and stepped up to 1400 metres for the first time. “She had to step up to Saturday company and the 1400 metres and she also had to handle Eagle Farm for the first time and it’s fair to say she handled the occasion with aplomb,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “We were pretty confident before the race that she was up to the challenge but it’s always nice to see them step out and get the job done. “She had a torrid time early in the race when she was pushed out three wide but rider Ryan Maloney didn’t panic and she soon settled behind the lead before forging to the lead soon after heading for home and proving too good for her rivals. “It was also good to see her post a new class record time and she’s a filly going to better races. “She can head out to Waverley Park for a break now and her next preparation will focus on getting Black Type form on her resume. “She a graduate of the Inglis Classic Sale so the $200,000 Inglis Guineas at Scone looks a lovely target for her. “The race is 1400 metres and confined to Inglis Sales graduates on May 16 and that track and trip should be perfect at this stage of her career.” Baroda is a daughter of Darley stallion Epaulette and she’s now won three of her five starts for earnings of $144,950, with QTIS bonuses accounting for $64,050. “The QTIS scheme is fantastic for a young horse, especially with the added money for fillies and there’s going to be plenty more opportunities for Baroda over the season. “Trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds have done a great job to have her at peak for these rich QTIS races and she paraded in terrific order at Eagle Farm. “She’s one of the most promising fillies to race in the all gold silks for some time and we love giving our horses a break when they are in great form because we know there’s a lot more improvement to come as she matures and strengthens. “The great thing about this preparation is that each time she’s raced she has handled the rise in class and shown great improvement in her racing manners. She also maintained her terrific temperament throughout the preparation,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our owners: Steve Mauger, Rob Harvey, Ian and Cathy Mathieson, Tony Halloran, David and Sue Worthley, Mark Snowden, Mark Ostermeyer, Jim and Jenny Edington, Dennis and Del Bates, Judy and Brent Hudson, Wayne and Paddi Muller, Haimes Racing (Manager Jamie Haimes), Tom Wyld and Frances Field. Ontrack Thoroughbreds’ smart sprinter Invincore bounced back to winning form when smashing the course and class record at Murwillumbah. Invincore had run fifth over 1200 metres at his previous start and Coff’s Harbour but he relished the step back to 1100 metres from an inside gate at Murwillumbah. In the hands of Ryan Plumb he jumped straight to the lead and, though challenged strongly in the straight he kept finding to win by nearly a length in 1.03.67, a new track and class record. “It was a brave win by Invincore because he carried 59 kilos and was there to be beaten in the straight,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “But to his credit he pinned his ears back and had a red hot go and was actually edging away from his rivals the last bit. “He’s taken his record to six starts for three wins and that’s a pretty good effort for any horse. “The Coff’s Harbour race was a bit out of character because he loomed up to win after turning for home but only battled the last 200 metres and the 1200 might have found him out. “He won over 1200 the start before at Grafton but he only just got home and he’s had enough on the line. “Anyway he’s building a nice record and we will continue to work him through the grades at this stage,” said Grant Morgan. A son of champion stallion I Am Invincible from Yields Of Gold, Invincore is prepared by Trent and Toby Edmonds at the Gold Coast and he wound up a successful 2019 for Ontrack horses. “The team has been going really well in recent months and Invincore’s wins at Grafton and Murwillumbah were matched by Tactical Move, Sparking Facet, Baroda, Arctic Shock and Boss Rock, while Dream Master has run second three times in a row. “We’ve got some nice young horses carrying the all gold colours and we look forward to seeing their careers progress in 2020,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our winning owners: Congratulations to our winning owners: Steve Mauger, Pat Crotty, Sandra and Lindsay Hitchener, Barbara Gilbert, David Worthley, Dennis and Margaret Frew, Gordon Henry, Jenny and Jim Edington, Mark Ostermeyer, Mark Snowden, Bayles Girls Racing (Pam, Amanda and Jill Bayles and Kim Arnell), Gold Seven Syndicate (Peter Battersby, Greg Bowers, Hamish Coleman, Greg Goodman, Ron Grantham, Ryan Lawlor, Stefan and Luisa Marinkovic, Dan Paton, Damian Pound, Josh Ryan, Lisa Saxton, David Sutherland), Runaway Bay Sports Centre Syndicate (Phil Day, Mark Doran, Kenny Edwards, Geoffrey Illich, Jason Kelly, Steven Ralph, David Vertullo, Matthew Whitehouse, Kevin Willetts, Tom and Gill Wyld, Ted Gregorski). Ontrack Thoroughbreds’ promising mare Arctic Shock returned to winning form with an impressive victory at Mornington. The daughter of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking snared her second win from only 9 career starts when she overcame a three wide passage from an outside barrier to score convincingly in a Benchmark 64 Handicap. “She’s a very promising mare and it was great to see her return to winning form at only her second start in a new preparation,” said Ontrack’s Managing Director Grant Morgan. “The mare resumed with a good second at Bendigo and took good improvement into the Mornington race and she had to overcome a few obstacles, including a sticky draw. “Arctic Shock always promised plenty during her trials and preparations with young Jacob McKay in New Zealand and she lived up to that in her first preparation. “She was a winner and placed four times from seven starts and one of those placings was a third in the Group Three Alexandra Stakes behind subsequent Group One winner Princess Jenni at Moonee Valley. “The plan now is to find a suitable Group race for her over the spring and work out a plan to get to that race. “We always thought she would make good improvement from her first preparation and it’s always a relief to see a horse make that progress,” said Grant Morgan. A four-year-old mare by Shocking from the Group Three winner Art Beat, Arctic Shock is prepared on the Mornington track by John and Chris Meagher. She was purchased by Grant Morgan for $65,000 from the 2017 Premier Sale at Karaka. Successful rider Ben Melham was pleased with the Mornington win. “There was no prospect of getting in from that wide draw so I had to try and conserve as much energy as possible. It was a slowly run race and I had to use a few carrots getting her close to the pace turning for home so she did well to tough it out. “There are bigger races in store for her and I think she will also improve when we put head gear back on her, but she’s a nice mare,” said Ben Melham. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Art Beat Syndicate, Let It Ride Syndicate (Manager Peter Ivanovski), David and Sue Worthley, Richard Stuckey, Lillian Brady OAM, O G P I C Syndicate (Andrew Hawken), Leigh Holt, Lynne Brook, Edgecorp Syndicate (Manager Colin Bracken), Mark Ostermeyer, Prof James Dale AO, Vin Harink, Ailsa Morrison-Galt, Andrew Hall, Harley Hodgson, Money Team Racing (Manager Bri Hourigan), Andrew Dean. Ontrack Thoroughbreds’ classy sprinter Tavisan showed his true colours with a dominant Moonee Valley win to claim his first Saturday metro scalp. Tavisan scored by two lengths after using his brilliant early speed to get over from a wide draw and control the pace. “He’s always been a very fast horse from the jump and jockey Ben Melham took bad luck out of the equation by using that tactical early speed to control the race,” said Ontrack’s Managing Director Grant Morgan. “At this meeting last year Tavisan gave a glimpse of his potential when he had subsequent Group One winner Brutal all out to beat him in the Listed McKenzie Stakes. “He lost his way a little bit as a colt so we bit the bullet and gelded him and he’s come back from that in fantastic fashion with two wins and a close third. “The horse showed good ability from day one and our New Zealand breaker and trainer Jacob McKay pegged him as a good horse very early. “In fact Jacob was convinced he could win a nice two-year-old race in New Zealand, but a few bad draws and rain affected ground hampered him over there. “He has proved that assessment spot on since joining Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr at Caulfield and his Australian record is nine starts for three wins and four placings. “He’s only ever failed over 1600 metres in the Caulfield Guineas and at his last start as a colt in the Rubiton Stakes so the stable has done a fantastic job with the horse. Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior are keen to make the most of the Benchmark system turning their focus to a possible next start in Sydney with the promising Sprinter. Now rated 86 following his Moonee Valley win, Tavisan seems destined to head back to stakes class but Price and Kent would like to pick off another Benchmark race. With little in that realm for Tavisan in Melbourne over the coming weeks, a trip North for his next start now looks likely. The Sydney options for Tavisan are Rosehill 14 Sept BM88 (1100m) or Randwick 21 Sept BM88 (1200m). Both races carry overall prizemoney of $125,000. Congratulations to our owners: Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 Syndicate, Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Adrian Abrecht, Jim Lagos, Lewis Prince, Eric Newsome, David Worthley, Vin Harink, Mark Snowden, Mark Ostermeyer, Neil Evison, Mark Horn, Lisa Saxton, Bebe Mawer. Ontrack Thoroughbreds’ powerhouse sprinter Tavisan returned to the races with a brilliant 1000 metres win at Sandown. The son of Tavistock had been gelded since a lucrative spring campaign and the Sandown win came at his first start since failing in a Group Two race at Caulfield in February. Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan said it was great to see the horse return to winning form. “He came over from New Zealand with a big reputation and lived up to it when he won his maiden at his first Aussie start. “He went on to place second to subsequent Group One winner Brutal in the Listed McKenzie Stakes and was also placed in Black Type races at Flemington and Caulfield before failing to stay in the Caulfield Guineas. “That spring form was as a colt, but he lost his way and we decided to geld him after he failed in February and Sandown was the chance for him to get back to form and he duly delivered. “Though he’s a son of Tavistock who is a stallion who gets stayers, this bloke is a sprinter and that’s where he’ll be aimed this campaign,” said Grant Morgan. Tavisan was purchased out of the Karaka Premier Sale in New Zealand and had his early education with young Kiwi trainer Jacob McKay. “Jacob was convinced he was a good horse and was so bullish about this bloke that he convinced us to run him in New Zealand and he raced well without a lot of luck. “Since coming to Australia, Tavisan has proved Jacob right and there’s plenty of upside now that he’s got his confidence back,” said Grant Morgan. Tavisan is trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior at Caulfield and the partners were confident of the Sandown win. “He’s come back really well this time in and his trials and trackwork have suggested that he would come out and race like that. “It’s good when they run up to their work at home and now that he’s regained winning form, he can aim a bit higher and there’s a couple of black type races pencilled in for him,” said Michael Kent. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 Syndicate, Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Adrian Abrecht, Jim Lagos, Lewis Prince, Eric Newsome, David Worthley, Vin Harink, Mark Snowden, Mark Ostermeyer, Neil Evison, Mark Horn, Lisa Saxton, Bebe Mawer. Ontrack Thoroughbreds staying filly Kolstar quit maidens with an authoritative win over 1800 metres on the Gold Coast. The three-year-old daughter of Star Witness was having only her fourth start when she overcame a bad start to down the favourite. Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan said Kolstar’s win had a lot of merit. “She jumped awkwardly and nearly dumped rider Paul Hammersley at the start and as a result settled five lengths from the second to last horse. “We had planned to ride her quietly and make a run down the outer but the plan wasn’t to give them quite that sort of start. “However, to her credit she travelled well and was strong late and ended up with an authoritative win,” said Grant Morgan. An $80,000 purchase by Ontrack from the 2017 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, Kolstar is a daughter of the speedy Flying Spur mare Okaylah. “Okaylah was a winner at 1100 and 1200 metres and was actually second to talented two-year-old Hips Don’t Lie in a listed race at Flemington at her first start. “This filly is really not bred to stay but she’s always looked like she would appreciate a trip and trainer David Vandyke has done a fantastic job to get her to win over 1800 metres in her first racing preparation. “She’s the first runner we have had from David’s stable and it was good to get a win on the board,” said Grant Morgan. Successful trainer David Vandyke capped a great day at the Gold Coast Turf Club by winning later in the day with Bargannon giving him a 100% winning strike rate for the day. “Kolstar has done well to get a middle distance win at only her fourth start and she’s been a filly that has always looked like the further she goes the better she will be. “Even when she was winning on Saturday, she did a few things wrong and when she got to the front she got a bit lost and didn’t really know how to put the race away. “These are things that only come with a bit of time and race experience and her last 50 metres were the best of the race and she flattened out and hit the line nicely. “We will look for a 2000 metres race with her in the next few weeks and I think time and a bit more ringcraft will suit her,” said David Vandyke. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 Syndicate, Simon Lang, Hans Katala, Obes Nobodies Syndicate (Manager Gavin O’Brien), Brian Cadusch, Stephen Carroll, Ken and Val Walker, Joe and Natasha Mildren, Barry Muller, Chris Shaw, Dianne Linnane, David Preston, David Vandyke, David and Sue Worthley, Judy Bandidt, Marian Linnane, Merry Mathews, Phillip Madden, Sam and Mel Mayer, Yvonne Bowen Eye Will continued the great run by Ontrack Thoroughbreds with New Zealand-sourced horses. The daughter of Tavistock cleared maidens at only her second start when capturing the 1300 metres Maiden Handicap at Goulburn on Saturday. Eye Will was one of five yearlings purchased by Ontrack’s Grant Morgan from the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale at Karaka and is now the fourth winner from the group. “I’ve long been a fan of the Premier Sale at Karaka and we’ve bought some nice horses from there over the years, but the 2017 sale offered tremendous value. “We’ve had three city performers in Tavisan, Arctic Shock and Makfi Amour and both Tavisan and Arctic Shock have black type placings on the board. “Like all of our New Zealand purchases, Eye Will was left there to be broken in and educated and I have to give credit to young Matamata trainer Jacob McKay for the fantastic job he does with our horses. “Eye Will trialled twice in New Zealand so by the time she got to Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm she was pretty much the complete package. “At the 2017 sale I bought two Tavistock yearlings – Tavisan and Eye Will – and there’s every reason to believe that both horses will only improve with time and racing. “Eye Will’s full-brother Tavsomefun is a four-year-old and he took five starts to break his maiden and then backed up and won again at 1700 metres so this filly has it all in front of her. “I thought she represented good buying at $120,000 and she should have good residual value as her dam was by the champion sire Danehill and her second dam On Air is a Group One winner having captured an AJC Australian Oaks,” said Grant Morgan. The win by Eye Will continued a good run by Tavistock in recent days and the stallion has sired five winners in the last five days. Congratulations to our owners: Steven Bell, Kevin Dupe, Ken Gordon, Bebe Mawer, Ken Stocks, D'Arcy Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd (Manager John D’Arcy), Brendan Scanlan, Paul and Karen Davis, Wayne and Paddi Muller, Malcolm Borger, David Lewis, Lynne Zahra, Charlie Buchanan, Geoff Radburn, Vin Harink, Dennis and Del Bates, David Worthley, Bayle Girls Racing (Manager Pam Bayles, Hans Katala, Troy Mansell, Mark Snowden. Ontrack Thoroughbreds’ genuine mare Cymbalism continued her great Queensland form when winning her first Saturday city race at Doomben. The daughter of Denman took her record to five wins and seven minor placings from 20 starts when scoring a dominant win over 1200 metres. Ontrack’s Grant Morgan identified the fillies and mares’ race for No Metropolitan Wins as perfect for Cymbalism and his confidence was boosted when rain arrived in South East Queensland in the days leading up to Saturday’s race. “I thought it was the ideal race for her and my confidence rose when she drew an inside gate and the rain arrived. “She ran third to Slow Burn and Noire on a slow track at Canterbury early in her career and on Saturday Noire came out and was placed in the Group Two Emancipation Stakes. “Cymbalism showed good form on synthetic tracks in Victoria and that convinced me she would have little trouble with rain affected ground.” That judgement proved perfect as Cymbalism settled nicely behind the leader for jockey Ronnie Stewart before forcing her way clear early in the run home and scoring with authority. “My only slight query was dropping back to 1200 off her 1350 metres win at Doomben but the rain turned into a more testing event and she was very convincing, running the fastest 1200 metres time of the day. “Her form since heading the Meagher Racing’s base at Eagle Farm is fantastic with three wins from six starts and there’s a strong case to be made that a couple of ordinary rides cost her the chance to better that record. “We’ve been giving her little breaks at Kilto Park in between runs and that seems to be suiting her so we will race on and try and pick off some further wins with her while she’s in such great form,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our owners: Mark Walker, Andrew Dean, Beau River Racing (Matt Shaw), Chris Burdon, Dennis and Margaret Frew, Mark Ostermeyer, Russell and Jacqui Pawley, Andrew Tranter, WBC Racing (Nick Wood), Lang Brothers Racing #4 (Stu Lang), Ryan Lawlor, Andrew and Carmela Connor D & R Syndicate (David Ewbank) and Lisa Saxton. Sparkling Facet’s convincing maiden win at the Gold Coast on Saturday reunited an old team of Ontrack’s Grant Morgan and jockey Paul Hammersley. The daughter of Savabeel was having her seventh start but had run not been further back than fourth in her career so was a deserving winner. Paul Hammersley settled the mare outside the pace and after appearing to be under pressure turning for home she balanced up and ran home for a dominant win. For Grant Morgan is was a matter of turning back the clock. “When I first moved to the Gold Coast, I managed a few jockeys and Paul Hammersley was one of my clients when he was an apprentice. “Hammer rode quite a few of Ontrack’s early winners in South East Queensland so it was good to resume that partnership,” said Grant Morgan. Sparkling Facet started her career with Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm and had four starts there for three thirds and a fourth. “We felt she would be better placed in South East Queensland and the move to Toby Edmonds at the Gold Coast has paved the way for her maiden win,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. Bought out of the 2016 Inglis Easter Sale for $120,000, Sparkling Facet is a daughter of New Zealand’s champion stallion Savabeel from a truly international family. “Her fourth dam is Habibti, the champion race mare of her time and the winner of nine races including the Group One Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group One July Cup at Newmarket. “It is one of the world’s foremost families with Eight Carat, the dam of Octagonal and Kapstaad, being a half-sister to Habibti. “The family is full of Group One winners and it is still performing all around the world. Given she’s by a champion stallion, Sparkling Facet is likely to have good residual value,” said Grant Morgan. The win at the Gold Coast came at her third start in Queensland and earned the mare a short let-up. “She did a lot of prepatory work with master horseman Greg Bennett at Canungra before heading into Toby and that’s proved important. “Greg spent a lot of time getting her to relax and she’s a lot more tractable these days. With a nice break while it continues to be ridiculously hot up here she will come back during the cooler winter months and I’m confident she can work her way through the grades,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our owners: Graeme Cameron, Ken Gordon, Brent Gosney, Vin Harink, James McMillan, Stephen Hurford, Tony Mair, Andrew Rebeiro, Garry Radel, Lisa Saxton, Vic Smythe, Mark Walker, Pam, Amanda and Jill Bayles, Kim Arnell, Ricky Brunner, Peter Campbell, Bill Clough, Judi Gowing, Peter Guidera, Gordon Henry, Peter McClintock, Barry Tangitu, Geoff Larsen, Mark Snowden. Ontrack Thoroughbreds success with New Zealand-breds continued when Arctic Shock scored an emphatic win at Pakenham last night. The daughter of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking cleared maidens at only her fourth start when striding to a comprehensive win after jumping from an outside barrier. "It was a good win because she had to work a little from the draw and never got many favours the way the race was run," said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. "Rider Ben Melham did the right thing from the draw by being positive and sitting her just off the speed. "Ben put her into the race on the turn and from there the result was never in doubt." Grant Morgan purchased Arctic Shock from the 2017 Premier Sale at Karaka, paying $65,000 for the daughter of Shocking and talented racemare Art Beat. "I bought five yearlings from the sale and Tavisan has been stakes placed in Melbourne and this filly and Makfi Amour have both been recent winners at Pakenham for Chris Meagher. "In fact, Makfi Amour and Arctic Shock have almost identical form having been a winner and placed three times from only four starts. "There's an unraced Tavistock filly showing good promise and a Savabeel filly that's had only one start but has good ability so it looks like it will prove to be a great sale for Ontrack and our owners," said Grant Morgan. Arctic Shock is a daughter of Art Beat, a Captain Rio mare who won nine races up to 1600 metres, including the Group Three Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. "Art Beat was a talented racemare with multiple black type performances and Arctic Shock is her second foal. I like to buy early foals from mares like her and we think this filly has the potential to get over a distance. "It's a stamina-based family and Art Beat's half-sister Perfect Start was a very good stayer who was placed in the Wellington and New Zealand Cups over 3200 metres. "Shocking has already left an Oaks winner so the pedigree and her racing style suggests Artic Shock will get a middle distance and possibly even further. "We will sit down with Chris Meagher and work out a plan for the filly, but there's still some nice targets remaining this season for a filly that can stay," said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Art Beat Syndicate, Let It Ride Syndicate (Manager Peter Ivanovski), David and Sue Worthley, Richard Stuckey, Lillian Brady OAM, O G P I C Syndicate (Andrew Hawken), Leigh Holt, Lynne Brook, Edgecorp Syndicate (Manager Colin Bracken), Mark Ostermeyer, Prof James Dale AO, Vin Harink, Ailsa Morrison-Galt, Andrew Hall, Harley Hodgson, Money Team Racing (Manager Bri Hourigan), Andrew Dean. Ontrack Thoroughbreds useful sprinting mare Cymbalism scored a convincing win at Doomben courtesy of a faultless ride by Tegan Harrison. The daughter of Denman lead virtually all the way to win her fourth race in style from hot favourite Emsie Is A Star. Cymbalism came north to Meagher Racing’s Eagle Farm base late last year and in four starts up north she’s won twice and run fourth. “We felt she would be better placed in the slightly easier company in South East Queensland and she’s done a good job,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “In both her wins up here she’s lead and it’s probably fair to say her record would be better if she’d been ridden that way in all her races up here. “Tegan has done a lot of work with this mare and she’s a rider who Ontrack has enjoyed a good association with in recent years. She gave the mare every opportunity today and rated her perfectly. “She was pretty convincing today and it’s great to get a city win with the mare. She’s in good form so we will find a similar race for her in the next couple of weeks. “Long term we may look to put her through the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale as she’s got a nice pedigree being from a successful family for the Ingham Brothers Woodlands Stud. “She’s closely related to Yell, Sung and Anthems and is a lovely mare who will let down into a really nice broodmare.” Purchased out of the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale for $150,000, Cymbalism has won four of her 19 lifetime starts and been placed eight times for earnings of $100,540. Congratulations to our owners Mark Walker, Andrew Dean, Beau River Racing (M Shaw), Chris Burdon, C Connor, D Frew, Mrs M Frew, M Ostermeyer, R Pawley, Mrs J Pawley, A Tranter, WBC Racing (N Wood), Lang Brothers Racing #4 (S Lang), R Lawlor, A Connor (Mrs C Connor), D & R (D Ewbank) & Ms L J Saxton. Ontrack Thoroughbreds decision to hold on to promising colt Makfi Amour looks to be paying dividends. The son of Makfi quit maidens at only fourth starts with an impressive win at Pakenham, but the colt could easily have ended up racing in silks other than Ontrack’s all gold livery. “We bought him at the Karaka Sales in 2017 with the plan of selling him on at the New Zealand Ready to Run Sale the following November,” said Ontrack’s Managing Director Grant Morgan. “Ontrack had successfully pin hooked a High Chaparral colt the previous year, buying him as a yearling for $100,000 and selling him at the Ready To Run Sale for $200,000. “The plan was to do the same with this colt, but when our New Zealand trainer Jacob McKay broke him in, he was very positive about the horse and strongly advised we keep him. “The ownership group agreed so we brought him to Queensland and he started his career at Meagher Racing’s Eagle Farm base and was fourth and then third in a very strong QTIC Three-Year-Old race at Doomben on a Saturday. “The colt was sent to Meagher’s base at Mornington because we thought the Victorian programme offered a few more suitable racing options and he’s only had the two starts down there for a first up third at Sandown and the Cranbourne win. “He’s a lovely colt and the plan is to try and take the next step up to a city grade race. “That looks more than likely given the fact that the horse that beat him at Sandown, Age of Chivalry went from that race to win a Wednesday race at his next start.” Grant Morgan paid $70,000 for Makfi Amour from the Westbury Farm draft at Karaka. He is the third foal of a Show A Heart mare Notre Amour and she’s had a perfect record at stud with Wawrinka and Swiss Love also winners. “Although reared in New Zealand at Gerry Harvey’s Westbury operation, the colt stems from a family that’s had great success in Queensland. “ His second dam Cantantes was a useful mare in Brisbane but she’s been a great mare at stud leaving horses such as Funtantes (10 wins) and Excellantes (12 wins). She had eight foals to race and six were winners. “It’s a family of good tough horses that are capable of stretching out to 1600 metres and it looks like Makfi Amour fits that mould,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our owners: B & L Racing (Brett Grogan), Dan McHugh, Rob Harvey, Marilyn Searles, Bernie Warnick, Dennis and Del Bates, Dominic Bassi, Bill Clough, Peter Hanan, Laraine Blades, Andrew Wellington, Darren Smeath, Anne Leonard, Ontrack Notre Amour Syndicate: Paul McGavin, Stephen Hurford, FRF Racing (D Fitzpatrick), Graeme Cameron, Luke Harrison, James Macmillan, Lisa Saxton, Dale Watts & Haimes Racing (J Haimes). Late bloomer Senrima Tide is starting to repay connections for their patience with an impressive win at Sandown. A son of New Zealand-based stallion Ocean Park, Senrima Tide did not start racing until he was nearly four and in five starts, he has won twice and placed two times. “I bought him from the 2016 Sydney Easter Sale and he was always the sort of horse who would require plenty of time,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “We gave him to Caulfield trainer Mick Price because of his fantastic record with these late maturing Kiwi-bred staying horses and he’s done a terrific job with this horse. “He made his debut in July last year and after two placed runs he cleared maidens in September before we tipped him out for a spell. “The key to making these horses is being patient. The only way for them to develop their potential is to give them time to grow and mature and being easy on them as they learn the racing game. “Ocean Park didn’t race at two, won three times at three but as a four-year-old he really exploded with five wins, including Group Ones with the Cox Plate, Underwood Stakes and Caufield Stakes. “It’s good to have the support of the ownership group in Senrima Tide to adopt a patient approach and hopefully we are on the road to unearthing a very nice staying horse. “He’s only in his second racing preparation so we are confident that there’s still a lot of strengthening and developing to come with Senrima Tide,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer Mick Price was confident of a bold showing at Sandown with Senrima Tide and the horse delivered with a half length win over favourite Cincinnati Red. “He had no luck from an inside draw at his first run this prep and had worked well after that run and I was confident he would handle the step up to 1600 metres. “First time racing on the Sandown track can be tricky but he had a good run and went to the front shortly after straightening and did a good job to hold on. “He is like most of the New Zealand-bred horses I have had over the years in that he’s slow maturing, but I like the horse and feel he has the potential to make the grade over a trip if we continue to look after him and be patient,” said Mick Price. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 (Syndicate), Steve Mauger, Paul Galvin, Dr David Worthley, Brett Waters, B H G C Racing Syndicate, Ever Reliable Syndicate, Mark Ostermeyer, Sandy Tranter, Robert Wheatley, Simon Dorrat, Tom Wyld, Mark Walker, Lynne Smith and John Brown. Smart sprinter Dream Master scored at Doomben after overcoming some significant obstacles on the way to another victory. The son of Dream Ahead followed up an emphatic Gold Coast win when leading all the way at Doomben in smart time, but the day wasn’t without drama. Dream Master has a dislike of rain affected footing and the Doomben track on race morning was posted as a soft 7. Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan admitted to having some concerns about running on rain affected footing. “He failed badly last preparation on wet ground and when the track was put up as a soft 7 I had some reservations, but trainer Toby Edmonds was pretty confident that the track would be upgraded significantly as the day went on and that was spot on. “With the track improving, we then had the drama of booked rider Ryan Maloney falling from a horse in an earlier race and being taken to hospital. “Fortunately we were able to get Ronnie Stewart to step in and he did the job perfectly. Ontrack’s had plenty of success with Ronnie and he got the job done. “It’s never ideal when these things happen but Ronnie is a talented horseman and he handled the job without a care. It was unfortunate for Ryan and we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery from some nasty injuries,” said Grant Morgan. A $60,000 buy by Ontrack from the Inglis Classic Sale, Dream Master has how won five races and placed five times from only 17 starts for earnings of $92,940. Trainer Toby Edmonds said once the track upgrade came he was confident of another big race from Dream Master. “He was dominant at the Gold Coast and there aren’t many horses with better gate speed so it made sense to ride him positively again. “The horse was pressured early so it was a great effort to stave off a wall of chasers in the run home. “We will give him an easy time and then sort out another race in the next few weeks, but he’s a very genuine horse and holds his form once he gets fit.” Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbred No 1 Syndicate, Mark Walker, Lang Brothers Racing, Mark Snowden, Dave Moretti, Mark Ostermeyer, Gordon Campbell, Leah Gavranich, Luke Covey, B and L Racing, Louise Mancinelli, Wayne and Paddi Muller, Alan Satchell, Beau River Racing, Greg Bowers, Stefan Marinkovic, Lisa Saxton, Ken Stocks, Ryan Lawlor. Talented sprinter Impregnable worked his way through to open class with a career best win at Doomben. The tough son of I Am Invincible has won seven of 23 career starts but his Class 6 win at Doomben came in a very strong field that was probably the toughest opposition he’s ever faced. Ridden by promising young apprentice Jackson Murphy, Impregnable had a perfect run behind the speed and then fought off all the challenges after bullocking to the lead over the final 200 metres. “It was a really tough win and it was in keeping with all his recent form,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. “This preparation has seen him a fit and happy horse and all his runs have shown that he’s come back in great order. “That Doomben field was as strong as Class 6 races get in Brisbane and he was pretty impressive. “It’s an achievement by any horse to win its way to open handicap and the way Impregnable won at Doomben in such a strong plate race suggests he will more than hold his own in open handicaps. “The Doomben race leads perfectly into an open 1200 metres race at the Gold Coast on January 5,” said Grant Morgan. A $40,000 purchase out of the Inglis Classic Sale by Grant Morgan, Impregnable has now earned $212,155 for his owners thanks to 7 wins and 11 minor placings. Trainer Toby Edmonds was confident of a big run by Impregnable after the horse drew barrier one. “He was only just beaten at Doomben after starting from the outside gate and when he finally drew an inside barrier, we were confident of a big run. “The conditions of the race meant he carried topweight so we were keen to put young Jackson Murphy on and claim two kilograms. I think that claim proved to be the difference between winning and running second. “He’s been much happier horse this preparation and I’m pretty sure that’s due to a different training regime. We swim him each day before he works and we try things such as interval training and treadmill work to mix things up. “He’s a gross horse who takes plenty of getting fit, but once fit he always puts in and he races well late into a preparation,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our owners in Impregnable: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 syndicate, Steve Mauger, Matthew Maguire, Sansom Hue, Brett Grogan, David Worthley, Ken Stocks, Wayne McCubbin, Jenny Edington, Ryan Lawlor, Peter Condon, Lisa Saxton, Dan Paton, Ricky Kim, Garry Batchelder, Philomena Syndicate (Manager Di McDonald). Ontrack’s smart sprinter Dream Master added to his record with an emphatic win at the Gold Coast. Trained by Toby Edmonds on the Gold Coast track, Dream Master has now won four times and been placed three times from only 16 life time starts. “He’s been a horse who has taken time to reach maturity both physically and mentally, but he’s developed into a really nice horse and there wasn’t a nicer horse in the pre-race parades at the Gold Coast. “The horse raced right up to his pre-race appearance and, in spite of drawing very wide, he jumped quickly crossed over to lead easily and was totally dominant. “Dream Master is a horse who races best when allowed to roll along in front and he is very, very genuine. “This preparation should provide him with the opportunity to work through the grades and he looks capable of winning a nice Saturday race in the city,” said Grant Morgan. Purchased by Grant Morgan from Emirate Parks draft at the 2015 Inglis Classic Sale for $60,000, Dream Master is by Dream Ahead from the Exceed and Excel mare Excellent Lady. The purchase proved astute because not long after the sale, Excellent Lady’s first foal started racing and named Petits Filou, she went on to win her first four races, including the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Flemington. “She ended up winning five of her 10 starts and then sold at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale for $1.15 million,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer Toby Edmonds reported Dream Master came through his Gold Coast win in good order and is now enjoying a few days at the trainer’s Guanaba farm. “We will let him unwind for a few days on the farm and he will return to the stable next Monday. “He is a very nice horse and he has come back to racing this preparation in terrific order. He’s developed and grown but more importantly he is mentally matured and we see a good future for him. The horse did buck in his first start this preparation, but we are pretty sure that was a result of the horse being struck under the flank by the stirrup of a rival jockey and he hasn’t shown any signs of misbehaving since. “In fact, he has one of the nicest temperaments of the horses in our stable and tends to be a really laid back and cruisy horse,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbred No 1 Syndicate, Lang Brothers Racing, Mark Snowden, Dave Moretti, Mark Ostermeyer, Gordon Campbell, Leah Gavranich, Luke Covey, B and L Racing, Louise Mancinelli, Wayne and Paddi Muller, Alan Satchell, Beau River Racing, Greg Bowers, Stefan Marinkovic, Lisa Saxton, Ken Stocks, Ryan Lawlor. Cymbalism has been dominant at her Queensland debut scoring an impressive all the way win at Ipswich. A five year-old mare by Denman, Cymbalism is prepared by Chris Meagher who operates dual state stables in Queensland and Victoria. Sent north in search of a metropolitan win, Cymbalism quickly repaid the faith of her ownership group thanks to a confident ride by the talented light weight rider Ronnie Stewart. “Chris and his team have done a wonderful job with this mare. Previously she had difficulty holding condition and tended to lighten off very quickly,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grand Morgan. “She is much stronger now, holding condition and has enjoyed the switch to Queensland.” Morgan highlighted the advantages Meagher Racing’s Eagle Farm and Mornington stables. “It’s a tremendous asset to have the two state operation. It gives us the chance to switch horses between the two states to maximise their potential,” said Morgan. Originally prepared by Chris Waller, has now had 6 starts for Chris Meagher recording 2 wins and 2 placings. Cymbalism was a $130,000 yearling purchase by Grant Morgan at the 2015 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Congratulations to our owners Mark Walker, Andrew Dean, Beau River Racing (M Shaw), C Burdon, C Connor, D Frew, Mrs M Frew, M Ostermeyer, R Pawley, Mrs J Pawley, A Tranter, Wbc Racing (N Wood), Lang Brothers Racing #4 (S Lang), R Lawlor, A Connor (Mrs C Connor), D & R (D Ewbank) & Ms L J Saxton My Dream Lover handled a distance rise with aplomb when scoring an all the way win at Ballina. The good looking son of Excelebration stretched out to 1600 metres for the first time in his career in a Class 1 and Maidens Plate and proved too strong, winning by nearly a length after leading from the jump. Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan predicted a good future for My Dream Lover if he continues to stretch out in distance. “The Ballina win came at his fifth start since we brought him up from Victoria and he’s now had two wins, two fourths and a fifth placing. “The horse won first-up in Queensland over 1300 metres, which is a difficult thing for a lot of horses to achieve and to add a second win in his first preparation up here is also very encouraging. “We bought him out of the Widden Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Sale for $130,000 because he’s by Excelebration out of a half-sister to Melbourne Cup winner Shocking. “Excelebration was Europe’s champion miler but this horse gives every indication that with a bit more maturity he will stretch out to beyond 1600 metres. “That opens up plenty of opportunities for a young horse if he can cope with 2000 metres and beyond, so we will be patient with him and give him the time to mature and strengthen and next preparation we’ll see whether he’s a stayer,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer Toby Edmonds was impressed with My Dream Lover’s effort to lead all the way at Ballina, even though he was surprised to see the horse making the pace. “I thought he would race near the speed but I must admit to being a little bit surprised when he found the front. “However rider Luke Rolls showed good initiative to keep going when nothing was keen to lead and rolling along in front at a steady tempo out of trouble proved the winning of the race. “The horse has done a good job since coming north and though he’s only had five races, he has been in work a while and we will just assess him over the next few days before making a decision on whether to give him a break or continue on. “He’s a nice horse with a good attitude and with a bit more time he could develop into a handy horse because he gives every indication of getting out to 2000 metres at least,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our winning owners: Ontrack Miss Coolum Syndicate, Barbara and John Gilbert, Mark Ostermeyer, Garry Shanahan, Greg Bowers, Dr David Worthley, Leigh Matthews, Mick and Denise Power, Pennypacker Syndicate, Dan McHugh, Mark Snowden, Mick Hackett, L V Racing Syndicate. Ontrack’s tough sprinter Impregnable is building an impressive strike rate at the Grafton track with his Jacaranda Cup win taking his track record to three starts for three wins. Impregnable, aided by a perfect ride by stable jockey Ryan Maloney, scored an emphatic Jacaranda Cup win over topweight Lucky Meteor winning by more than two lengths. A son of champion stallion I Am Invincible, Impregnable began his career with Caulfield trainer Mick Price and was placed in five of his first six races. “Mick advised us that the horse would be better placed in Queensland and we transferred him to Toby Edmonds on the Gold Coast and he won his first two races for Toby on the Grafton track,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. “He won five races in that first preparation from eight starts but he had a few issues at the end of that campaign and when he came back into work for his second preparation, he was not the same horse so we spelled him after four races and gave him a nice break. “This time in he has been a much happier horse but being that extra year older he has taken a couple of starts to get close to fitness. “Last time out at Doomben he was a very good sixth and that was the first time Ryan Maloney had ridden him and that experience proved invaluable. “He’s a quirky horse sometimes and Ryan learnt that he doesn’t appreciate being restrained at the start. “At Grafton he left the horse alone at the jump and when another rival crossed over quickly Impregnable enjoyed a dream run tracking the speed. Once he peeled out at the top of the straight the horse dashed to the lead and quickly put the race in safe keeping,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer Toby Edmonds was pleased with the horse and went into the race confident the sprinter was close to his best. “His run at Doomben was a nice effort and his work leading into Grafton had been very good. He’s not the easiest horse to ride and when that grey horse rushed over from outside him to lead, the race panned out perfectly. “This horse really finished off the race in domineering fashion and his last furlong was very strong. “Now that we have him back to his best, we will probably pick out a race in town and he looks set for another good campaign,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our owners in Impregnable: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 syndicate, Steve Mauger, Matthew Maguire, Sansom Hue, Brett Grogan, David Worthley, Ken Stocks, Wayne McCubbin, Jenny Edington, Ryan Lawlor, Peter Condon, Lisa Saxton, Dan Paton, Ricky Kim, Garry Batchelder, Philomena Syndicate (Manager Di McDonald). My Dream Lover kicked off his Queensland career in style when he justified solid support with a Gold Coast Turf Club win. The chestnut son of Excelebration resumed off a six month break when he had his first start for Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds and scored over 1300 metres in the hands of former Victorian jockey Ryan Maloney. My Dream Lover had two starts as a colt last summer for Caufield trainer Mick Price but was spelled and gelded after those runs. “Mick advised that he felt the horse would be better placed in Queensland,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. “We always appreciate Mick’s objective assessment of horses and he’s proved to be extremely accurate in summing up where the best opportunities exist for each horse. “Our aim is to get each horse to be competitive in city racing and sometimes that requires us moving horses away from the tougher Melbourne and Sydney company. “Our Dream Lover has been a horse that needed time to mature and he has certainly strengthened and filled out since his first preparation. “Toby Edmonds has done a great job with the horse and having him fit enough to win first-up over 1300 metres was a tremendous feat. “It shouldn’t be under-estimated how difficult it is to score over 1300 metres off a six month break and Toby and his team deserve plenty of accolades for having the horse fit and he was aided by a superb ride.” A $130,000 purchase by Ontrack from Widden Stud’s 2016 Inglis Classic Sale draft, My Dream Lover is a son of Excelebration, a son of Exceed and Excel who was Europe’s champion miler in 2012. His dam, Miss Coolum was a winning two-year-old who is a half-sister to the 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking. “There’s plenty of staying blood in his pedigree and it looks like he will be able to stretch out in trip without any issues. “Toby Edmonds and Ryan Maloney have both pegged him as a horse who will be at his best at 1600 metres and further so we look forward to seeing where he ends up,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our winning owners: Ontrack Miss Coolum Syndicate, Barbara and John Gilbert, Mark Ostermeyer, Garry Shanahan, Greg Bowers, Dr David Worthley, Leigh Matthews, Mick and Denise Power, Pennypacker Syndicate, Dan McHugh, Mark Snowden, Mick Hackett, L V Racing Syndicate. Ontrack Thoroughbreds’ smart Tavistock colt Tavisan made a hugely impressive start to his Australian career when he ran away to win at Cranbourne. A powerful colt prepared at Caufield by Mick Price, Tavisan was purchased at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale by Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan for $135,000. Like all the Ontrack purchases in New Zealand, the colt was broken in and left in New Zealand to grow out and develop. “We like to give our Kiwi purchases all the time we can on the magnificent pastures over there because they grow great bone on farms that are perfect for developing a young thoroughbred. “Young Matamata trainer Jacob McKay broke the colt in for us and he was so impressed with him that he encouraged us to aim him at the Karaka Millions at Ellerslie. “Basically, little went right for him in four starts there and he struck a couple wet tracks which he hated. “He showed his ability when fifth in a listed race at Matamata followed by a nice effort at Group 1 level at Ellerslie, ” said Grant Morgan. “Since getting here he hasn’t missed a beat, winning two trials and then scoring first-up at Cranbourne. “Tavisan strikes me as a brilliant colt and he might be like Tavistock and be a sprinter. Tavistock was a son of Montjeu and was actually his fastest son around the world, clocking 1.21 over 1400 metres in winning a Group One in New Zealand. “The other thing that makes me thing he’s like his old man is a dislike of rain affected footing and he was able to win at two. “This colt could be a candidate for a race like the Coolmore Stakes at Flemington in the spring, but we will take our time and let Mick develop a plan once the dust settles,” said Grant Morgan. Ontrack followers would have noticed that Tavisan didn’t sport the usual Ontrack gold livery. That’s because the Dubai-based thoroughbred investment fund Phoenix Bloodstock purchased a significant interest in the horse as a yearling and he’s the first horse to race for Phoenix under Ontrack management. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 Syndicate, Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Adrian Abrecht, Jim Lagos, Lewis Prince, Eric Newsome, David Worthley, Vin Harink, Mark Snowden, Mark Ostermeyer, Neil Evison, Mark Horn, Lisa Saxton, Bebe Mawer. Ontrack Thoroughbreds’ classy sprinter Savanna Amour swept aside any doubts that she was back to her best with an authoritative win in Saturday’s $100,000 Hinkler Handicap at Doomben. The winner of seven of her 16 starts for earnings of $606,823, Savanna Amour was recording her first win since last September, but most importantly for connections it ended a frustrating period of minor issues. “After she ran second at Flemington on Derby Day we put her aside to get ready for the major autumn Group One sprints but she had a series of minor issues which kept her from racing,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “They weren’t major issues but were things like viruses and poor blood profiles and we were never going to risk running her unless we knew that she was 100 per cent. “It was just a matter of getting her right and being patient. That’s always been Ontrack’s policy with all of our horses and in the end, we saw the benefit of being patient on Saturday with Savanna Amour. “For me, the confirmation she was back to her best came when she won a trial at Doomben at the end of May and I saw enough that day to say she was back. “The only issue heading into the Hinkler was the track but she had to run to fit her for the Group One Tatts Tiara in a couple of weeks and thankfully her class got her home. “It was very fortunate that she had first use of the track and drew a good alley because the ground deteriorated during the day and the best footing was closer to the rails. “What really helped her cause was a positive ride by Ben Melham. He knew he was on the best horse in the field and rode her accordingly. “Ben walked the track the afternoon before and established the best footing was two or three spots off the fence and that’s where he positioned Savanna Amour. “He established where he wanted to be turning for home and maintained that run, pushing the mare through a gap and she did the rest,” said Grant Morgan. The Group One $500,000 Tatts Tiara at Doomben on June 23 will be Savanna Amour’s next start and Ben Melham will again be in the saddle. Congratulations to the winning connections of Savanna Amour: Dennis and Del Bates, Laraine Blades, FRF Racing, Haimes Racing, Peter Hanan, Bob and Gladys Harvey, Rob Hill, Paul Kitching, Bill and Glenys Knobel, Phil and Anne Leonard, Danny Lesjak, Paul McGavin, Dave Moretti, Barry Muller, Mark Ostermeyer, Darren Smeath, Dennis and Colleen Walker, Dale Watts. Ontrack mare Cymbalism found her way back to winning form with a bang on the Geelong synthetic track. The Denman mare made a promising start to her career with a third and a fourth at Canterbury and followed that with a convincing maiden win over highly rated Star of Monsoon at the Scone carnival last May. “She was a filly who took a fair while to strengthen and that’s why Chris Waller didn’t line her up until the autumn of her three-year-old season,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “It’s fair to say that she didn’t live up to her initial promise, but she has been a mare who has taken a long time to mature and she often proved a difficult horse to ride because she doesn’t like being cluttered up or restrained. “A lot of jockeys made the mistake of taking a hold and trying to get her to settle and all that achieved was to fire her up. “We tried her in Victoria from Chris Waller’s Flemington stable, but she didn’t race generously so we gave her a let-up and transferred her to Chris Meagher at Mornington. She’s had three runs for Chris with yesterday’s win and a third on the Pakenham synthetic track. “Jake Noonan has done a good job in his two rides and he quickly summed things up and didn’t try and fight the mare. As a result, she has proved a lot more tractable and she travelled well in the running at Geelong before putting her rivals to the sword a long way from home. “Her win was very dominant, but to be fair it was what you’d expect given the strength of the field.” Grant Morgan said the future for Cymbalism remains to be decided. “We have entered her for the Inglis Great Southern Sale in Melbourne next month and we have to make a decision on her future. At Ontrack we endeavor to win Saturday metropolitan races for our owners, so we will need to reassess this mare in light of that expectation,” said Grant Morgan. A $130,000 purchase by Ontrack Thoroughbreds from the 2015 Magic Millions Sale, Cymbalism is from a family which produced plenty of good winners for the Ingham family’s Woodland operation. “Cymbalism is related to the good sprinters Yell and Anthems and she has always had her share of speed but has required time to strengthen and Chris has allowed her the time to build up and mature. She is not a mare who carries a lot of condition, so it comes as no surprise to see her develop with time,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations the winning connections of Cymbalism: Ontrack Thoroughbreds Cymbal Syndicate, Beau River Racing Syndicate, Chris Burdon, Martin Connor, Denis and Margaret Frew, Mark Ostermeyer, Russell and Jacqui Pawley, Andrew Tranter, WBC Racing (Syndicate), Lang Brothers Racing, Ryan Lawlor, A Connor Syndicate, D and R Syndicate, Lisa Saxton. Up and coming mare Girl Sunday maintained her unbeaten sequence for this campaign when landing another impressive Sydney winner on her home track of Rosehill. Trainer Gerald Ryan has produced Girl Sunday three times this season and the result has been three very impressive wins – two at Rosehill and the other at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day. On Saturday, Girl Sunday was given a gem of a ride by Jamie Innes Junior who positioned her on the back of the pacemakers and had her out with perfect timing to claim the lead 200 metres from the finish and draw ahead for an authoritative win, prompting the comment “oh she’s going to win again” from the course commentator. Ontrack CEO Grant Morgan said Gerald Ryan’s placement and astute use of claiming apprentice riders has played a big part in the mare’s form this time in. “Gerald was convinced that Girl Sunday was going to be a Saturday horse in Sydney after her first preparation and that judgement has been spot on with the mare capturing two $100,000 Benchmark 78 races confined to fillies and mares. “Ontrack is all about finding city class performers for our owners and with five wins from only 10 career starts Girl Sunday is ticking all the boxes for her connections. The level of stakes now available in Sydney has seen her earnings rise pretty rapidly to over $173,000. “She was entered for races at Brisbane and Sydney last weekend but the rain in South East Queensland convinced Gerald to stay at home and the decision proved the correct one,” said Grant Morgan. Gerald Ryan was confident Girl Sunday would run another big race at Rosehill and he is already eyeing off another fillies and mares benchmark event for the daughter of Encosta De Lago. “She has come through the latest run in great order and I couldn’t be happier with her coming out of the win. There’s a Benchmark 85 race over 1350 metres on December 24 and we can use Jamie’s two-kilogram allowance once again. “Not many horses win three races on the trot in town but the way she has been going, and her recovery from the latest win suggests she is a realistic prospect to make it four.” Grant Morgan said the ultimate aim with Girl Sunday is to achieve black type success, but that goal might have to wait for a little while. “Once she races on Christmas Eve we will assess her, but at this stage a short break looks an option and she can return next year and focus on the autumn carnival. Congratulations to our owners Lang Brothers Racing No 3 Synd (Mgrs Stu & Matt Lang), Pam Bayles, Lucky Nine Racing (Mgr Brett Grogan), Ricky Kim, Keating Racing (Mgr Shane & Matthew Keating), Ken Stocks, Michael Walton & Paul Crisp. Talented mare Cruising Speed made a stunning return to racing with a decisive win at Eagle Farm. Fresh up after a three month break, Cruising Speed took her career record to four wins from only seven races when she won the Moet and Chandon Club Handicap in the hands of James Orman. The win continued Ontrack Thoroughbred’s great run of success as Girl Sunday saluted for the all gold colours on Melbourne Cup Day and then Savanna Amour returned with a comprehensive win at Doomben last weekend. “It’s very satisfying to win races anywhere but we aim to buy city horses, so to win successive races at Randwick, Doomben and Eagle Farm is what we strive to do. “it was a good win today and Ontrack would like to congratulate John and Chris Meagher on a great training effort to have her ready to win at 1300 metres first up. The stable is flying and it vindicates the faith we have placed in the stable. “Cruising Speed is a lovely mare and I have always wanted to buy a nice Savabeel horse and what appealed to me was that she is out of an O’Reilly mare and that cross has an unbelievable strike rate when it comes to winning stakes and listed races. “This mare can go to that stakes level and that’s where we plan to head with her. She is very progressive and has a pretty fair turn of foot for a Savabeel which can probably be attributed to her third dam being the brilliant racemare Emancipation.” John Meagher believes Cruising Speed has untapped potential and is confident she will handle a step up in distance. “She’s a lovely mare and we have no doubt that she is going to get at least 1600 metres and feel that there is a good race in her. “She won two races very impressively and then failed on the Eagle Farm track and the only possible explanation for that miss was getting caught down on the inner. Today with the rail out so far we were confident she would be very hard to beat. “She had a short break after that failure and has come back a better mare so it’s onwards and upwards. “We are so grateful to have these nice Ontrack horses and there is no doubt that Grant has a great eye when it comes to picking out a young horses. There’s an art to that and it’s great to have such nice horses to work with and owners who are prepared to be patient,” said John Meagher who enjoyed a winning Doomben double along with sons Chris and Paul. Congratulations to Cruising Speed’s owners Judy Coleman, Stephen Hurford, Lynne Smith, Ken Gordon, Rose Rovelli, Karl Vanderberg, The Let It Ride Syndicate, Jenny Pixley, Marilyn Searles, Bernie Warnick, Woongarra, Judy Bandidt, Dom Bassi, Professor Jim Dale, Brett Grogan, Gordon Henry and Haimes Racing. |
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