British movie star spotted at OnTrack Favourite Ontrack and British movie star Benedict Cumberbatch have one thing in common – we both love the fabulous Mudbrick Vineyard on New Zealand’s Waiheke Island. Mudbrick is always the spot for lunch when the Ontrack New Zealand Horse and Wine Tour spends the day on the stunning Waiheke Island. Now it seems Benedict Cumberbatch has been spending time at Mudbrick while he waits out the Covid 19 lockdown in New Zealand. The Sherlock and Marvel star has spent the coronavirus lockdown in the Hawke's Bay, and according to his rep the star stayed in New Zealand when filming of his Netflix film The Power of the Dog was suspended. Cumberbatch was spotted at Waiheke Island vineyard, Mudbrick, on March 18.
Staff member Haylee Oliver confirmed to news site Stuff that she had seen the actor but wasn't sure if he had been staying in the vineyard's luxury accommodation. The Ontrack tour spends a full day on the beautiful Waiheke Island and the Mudbrick luncheon is always one of the highlights on a tour that features plenty of amazing epicurean experiences. The Ontrack New Zealand Horse and Wine Tour is scheduled for November 19-24 and Ontrack’s Grant Morgan remains confident the 2020 renewal will be a highlight of the year for clients. “The Covid 19 situation has been difficult to say the least, but there’s plenty of reason to be confident that trans-Tasman travel will be the first international experience offered to Australian tourists. “Waiheke Island is a stunning place that’s a comfortable boat trip about an hour from down-town Auckland. “It’s always amazing to show our guests this little piece of South Pacific paradise and the lunch at Mudbrick never fails to blow people away. “New Zealand is always an amazing tourism experience and we’re looking forward to November and the chance to showcase some fantastic breeding farms, incredible scenery and beautiful food and wine,” said Grant Morgan. “Who knows we might run into Benedict come November.” Ben Melham reunites with talented speedster Tavisan gets a prime opportunity to return to the winners circle on Saturday at Caulfield together with his regular rider Ben Melham.
The Mick Price/Michael Kent jnr prepared gelding contests the $100,000 Le Pines Handicap over 1100 metres and he’s been helped with a perfect barrier draw of gate two and improved track conditions. Tavisan has had two runs this preparation for a first-up fifth in Listed company in Adelaide and a sound fourth on an unsuitable heavy track at Caulfield. Though Tavisan has yet to win at Caulfield in four attempts, he ran one of his best races on the track when second in the Group 3 Guineas Prelude behind Native Soldier. That was as a three-year-old when he was also placed in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington and just caught by subsequent Group 1 winner Brutal in the Listed McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley. Tavisan is now the winner of four races and four times placed in only 19 starts for earnings of $271,000. In a race that doesn’t look to have enormous speed, he should get full favours from gate 2 tomorrow and also gets Ben Melham back on board. Melham knows the horse well having ridden him six times for two wins and two placings. Melham has been Ontrack’s go-to rider in Victoria for some time and has been a regular winner in the all gold silks on the likes of Savanna Amour, Arctic Shock and Test The World in recent seasons. Melham rides Tavisan well and his return probably coincides with the horse reaching peak fitness this time in. He was run down late when fourth on the Caulfield track last start after rider Jamie Kah elected to stick to the rails on the heavy track. While the inside was probably not the place to be on the day it seems Tavisan being a rising five-year-old may have needed racing to attain peak fitness and he should parade tomorrow in prime condition for a return to winning form. Brazen Beau filly defies wet track hoodoo Ontrack’s talented filly Brazen Gem has done something her brilliant Dad couldn’t do. Brazen Gem completed a hat-trick of wins and took her record to five starts for three wins and a second placing when recording a gritty win in heavy conditions at Hawkesbury and that followed a soft track win at Goulburn. The rain affected tracks proved no obstacle to Brazen Gem but her father, the multiple Group One winning sprinter Brazen Beau, was a complete duffer on wet tracks. “Brazen Beau won his first start by a wide margin on a good track and we tried him on a soft track at Warwick Farm second up and he was a battling fifth. “Hugh Bowman got off him that day and said, ‘don’t ever start this horse on wet ground again’,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “At his next start Brazen Beau won the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doomben on good ground.” While Brazen Gem has been a dual winner and placed on wet ground, Grant Morgan is confident the filly is a much better horse on top of the ground. “The Hawkesbury win was achieved in ordinary conditions and I think she was very brave in such conditions. I think what she has done at Hawkesbury and at Goulburn has been achieved through a tremendous will to win. “I think we have a very nice progressive filly on our hands and she will be much better suited when she gets back to firm tracks,” said Grant Morgan. Plans are to head to a city race with Brazen Gem and there are a couple of mid-week Benchmark races for fillies and mares next month that look suitable targets for the Bjorn Baker-trained filly. A graduate of Gerry Harvey’s Westbury Stud in New Zealand, Brazen Gem was purchased by Ontrack at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Sale at Karaka. Brazen Gem is the first foal of the Dane Shadow mare Fifty Eight Facets who was a Sydney winner during a very light career for Gerry Harvey and trainer Peter Moody. Fifty Eight Facets was exported to New Zealand in foal to Brazen Beau and foaled Brazen Gem at Westbury Stud. She has since produced two filly foals to Swiss Ace and is back in foal to that horse. Brazen Gem continues a great season for Brazen Beau who has now sired 32 individual winners in Australia this season, with four stakes winners in that tally. Congratulations to our winning owners: David and Sue Worthley, Vin Harink, Mark Snowden, Fine Dining Syndicate (Manager Mark Ostermeyer), Malcolm Borger, Ailsa Morrison-Galt, Dave Moretti, Wayne and Paddi Muller, John and Barbara Gilbert, Christine Shaw, Robert Corolla, Bobby Vucenovic, Peter McClintock, Bob and Gladys Harvey, Judy Bandidt, Garry Batchelder, Brad Leaity John Loftus, Gerald and Antoinette Pacholec, Dan Paton, Roger Perusich, David Sparkes, Ken Stocks, Barry Tangitu, Anne Wade, Jean Weston, Ty Wagstaff. Bred by Queensland breeder Murray Murdoch Coolmore stallion Pride Of Dubai unearthed a promising 2yo this week to continue his hold on the first season sires’ premiership. The son of Street Cry was represented by a very speedy filly in Proud Mia at Queanbeyan last Sunday to register his eighth individual winner for the season. Proud Mia is prepared by Nick Olive at Canberra and was a hotly supported $1.45 favourite on debut. The chestnut daughter of Pride of Dubai never looked in doubt cruising to a 3.8 len margin which could have been much greater had rider Richard Bensley desired. Proud Mia was bred by well known Queensland breeder Murray Murdoch from his Danzero mare Miatoko. Sold at the 2019 Inglis Classic Sale, Proud Mia made $60,000 when secured by Nick Olive. Miatoko’s most recent yearling was a filly by Divine Prophet who fetched $230,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast sale with Tony Santic the buyer. Ironically, Pride Of Dubai’s place as leading first season sire by earnings is thanks to a horse yet to register a win.
Smart filly Bella Nipotina has earnt $550,975 from seven starts for three seconds. Those placings have come in the $2 million Inglis Millennium, the $502,000 Inglis Banner and the $250,000 Vobis Gold Rush. Pride Of Dubai made the perfect start to his stud career last October with two winners from his first two runners, with Tanker landing the Listed Inglis Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield and New Zealand filly Platinum Dubai winning first time out for Lisa Latta. Ontrack Thoroughbreds secured a gorgeous Pride Of Dubai filly at the March Magic Millions QTIS Sale when Grant Morgan signed for the sale topper when paying $170,000 for a well related filly from Queensland farm River Junction. While the Ontrack filly topped the March Magic Millions Sale, it was a long way behind the $620,000 bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster paid in January for a Coolmore consigned colt out of Archangel. Guy Mulcaster has enjoyed previous success purchasing from Coolmore at Magic Millions, having secured Winx from their draft in 2013, the world champion superstar sired by Pride of Dubai’s sire Street Cry. Leading Victorian breeder passes Respected Victorian breeder Kevin O’Brien has sadly passed away. Kevin and his wife Tanith owned Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, managed by their son James, who is also president of the Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria. Ontrack principal Grant Morgan has fond memories of hosting Kevin and Tanith on the 2012 New Zealand Horse & Wine Tour. “Kevin was tremendous company and it was one of those really special tour groups. I know most of the group still keeps in touch, despite coming from all different corners of Australia,” said Grant Morgan. The tour obviously left a positive impression on Kevin who many years later arranged for staff members at Lauriston Stud to also experience the Ontrack New Zealand Horse and Wine Tour. “Ontrack extends its deepest sympathies to Tanith and their children James, Gabby and Georgina and their families. “Kevin was a great bloke and highly respected breeder. It was always a pleasure to run into Kevin at the sales rings around Australasia and he was someone who had a true love of life and of thoroughbred breeding and racing,” said Grant Morgan. Prior to establishing Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, Kevin had a successful career in the caravan industry.
Kevin was very proud of his Irish heritage and that sparks his racing colours of green and orange quarters. One horse in particular held a special place in Kevin’s heart. Gold Edition, a mare Kevin purchased in 2005 at a Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale, won the VRC Ascot Vale Stakes in 2006 (now the G1 VRC Coolmore Stakes), the G1 MVRC Manikato Stakes in 2007 and a host of Group 2 wins in addition to the 2007 Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO. The Funeral Service for Kevin O’Brien for close family and friends was held this week. Cup winning hoop to partner Arctic Shock Star jockey Michael Rodd returns to the Australian riding ranks on Saturday aboard promising mare Arctic Shock at Flemington. The winner of the 2007 Melbourne Cup on Efficient, Rodd is one of several jockeys to have bailed from Singapore following the abandonment of racing there because of Covid 19. After starting his working career as an apprentice carpenter in New South Wales, Michael Rodd changed tack to racing and ended up on the Gold Coast as an apprentice jockey and he won three consecutive Queensland apprentices’ premierships. OnTrack boss Grant Morgan was pleased to engage Rodd at the suggestion of trainer Chris Meagher. “I was managing jockeys when Michael was coming up through the ranks at the Gold Coast when apprenticed to Bryan Guy,” said Grant Morgan. “Michael has always been the consummate professional and a real gentleman. “I think he will do very well based in Melbourne. He is a very patient rider and keeps horses nicely balanced.” Arctic Shock steps out over 1800 metres at Flemington after preparatory runs when she was placed over 1300m, 1400m and 1600m.
The daughter of Shocking steps up to a middle distance fourth up this preparation and should be perfectly suited by the trip as she was an impressive Moonee Valley winner over 2040m last preparation. The prospect of a rain affected track at Flemington holds no terrors for Arctic Shock as she was at home on a heavy 8 last time out and her dam was a very good race mare on heavy tracks in New Zealand. Rodd replaces stable apprentice Jess Eaton, who has placed on Arctic Shock in each of her 3 starts back this prep. “Jess (Eaton) has ridden her very well in all three starts and has been a victim of poor barriers. “No doubt she will get her chance to get back on in the future as her 2kg comes in handy. “If Michael gets the money on Saturday, Jess should be the first person he thanks,” said Morgan. by Grant Morgan This week sadly signalled the passing of long term AAP Racing Editor Caryl Williamson. I first met Caryl in the mid 90's after joining AAP at the companies then head office in the Sydney's Chinatown. We both had roles in the racing division under Geoff Want. Caryl transformed herself into a racing journalist and was very good at her chosen trade. Her first break came as a contributor to the former fabulous annual publication Class Racehorses, which was produced by Ken Boman. She was later rewarded for her hard work and dedication on the AAP racing desk by being appointed Racing Editor in 1996, a role she held to her passing. I always enjoyed Caryl's company as both a colleague and friend. She was blunt, dry and straight to the point. No airs and graces. Her passion for racing was endless. RIP Caryl by AAP
Australia's first female racing editor and an institution at the country's big race meetings, Caryl Williamson, has died. The racing editor for Australia's national news agency AAP for 24 years, Williamson was one of the lucky ones whose passion became their job. And whose words became as legendary as the horses she wrote about. "Already a champion, Makybe Diva became a legend when she added the Cox Plate to her incredible record at Moonee Valley today." Williamson wrote in October 2005, a week and a half before racecaller Greg Miles exclaimed "a champion becomes a legend" when the great mare won her third Melbourne Cup. Miles' commentary has gone down in racing lore, but it was Williamson who coined the phrase first. That was typical of her three decades as an AAP racing writer. Low public profile with little limelight, but highly respected and a valued mentor to those who knew her. Trainers, jockeys, owners and officials, from the wealthiest sheikh to the humblest strapper, knew Caryl and of her vast racing knowledge. She covered more than 20 Melbourne Cup carnivals and every one of Sydney's major meetings since the early 1990s, but was just as happy on a Wednesday at Canterbury where she virtually had the mounting yard to herself. She also covered the scandals and inquiries that make racing writing the colourful vocation it is, and led the way with her meticulous and highly praised coverage of the 2007 equine influenza outbreak. Not a big punter, her prolific reporting was never clouded by a result that didn't go her way. The Australian Turf Club paid tribute to Williamson's legacy in the industry and are set to name a race in her honour at next week's Royal Randwick meeting. “Caryl was without doubt one of the best and most respected people in the racing press rooms for several decades,” Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said. “We join the entire industry in offering our deepest sympathies to her family and many colleagues who have been deeply saddened by her passing." Racing Victoria offered their condolences on Tuesday night. "We are saddened to hear of the passing of esteemed AAP Racing Editor Caryl Williamson," they tweeted. "Caryl devoted her life to racing journalism with great success and was a welcome face in Melbourne each year for the spring carnival." Originally from New Zealand, Williamson started at Australian Associated Press as a casual copy-taker in 1984 and introduced herself to journalism when she offered to contribute to AAP's annual Class Racehorses book in the late '80s. From there, she claimed a permanent place on AAP's racing desk and in 1996, became the first woman to head an Australian media organisation's coverage of one of the country's biggest sports. She remained, in 2020, one of the few women in mainstream media anywhere in the world reporting on racing's daily goings on. It's fair to say no woman has written more about Australian racing than Caryl Williamson. She died peacefully at her Sydney home on Tuesday, aged 67. Original Article courtesy of Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN) AUSNZ: View Here TDN AusNZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory? Grant Morgan: I was born in Bulli, NSW. My earliest memory of racing was the 1981 Golden Slipper won by Full On Aces (Kaoru Star). My parents were small shareholders in ARABS (now Arrowfield) which had the runner up Food For Love (Lunchtime). I was adamant they would run the quinella. As a 7-year-old I was hooked. TDN AusNZ: Which is your favourite racehorse of all time? Why? GM: Brazen Beau hands down, but with obvious bias. He was a life changing horse for me and many others associated with him. There are so many great stories and memories he created. It’s still fantastic now to be involved with many of his progeny and it gives me a real kick to see them winning races. TDN AusNZ: Do you have a favourite day on a racecourse? Why? GM: Rosehill. My parents were very good friends with Mike Wolsey who was CEO of the STC in the late 70’s and 80’s. I hardly missed a meeting there right through until my late teens. I have so many wonderful memories of the people and horses during that era. TDN AusNZ: Could you tell us how you got into this industry, about your job now and what you love most about it? GM: When other kids were playing cricket or footy on a Saturday, I’d be at the races with my parents. My first ‘hands on’ experience with horses came in my teens at the nearby harness racing track at Bulli. I finished high school and got a cadetship with the IMB to study commerce. But banking wasn’t for me, and I headed for Randwick as a stablehand to try and work my way up from the bottom. Doors opened sooner than expected. My first big breakthrough was landing a role with AAP in their racing services division. That position ultimately led me to become the first marketing manager for Eliza Park (now Sun Stud). I went out on my own in 2002 and started OnTrack. I think the thing I love most about racing is the people you meet. Racing people have the very best of qualities. It’s a shame more kids don’t get an ‘education’ on the racetrack anymore. It’s a real character builder! TDN AusNZ: Who do you believe to be a value sire for the upcoming breeding season? Why? GM: I think So You Think (NZ) has another level to go to shortly. His yearlings have plenty of appeal physically and they market well to the retail sector. TDN AusNZ: Is there a stallion that you consider to be under the radar?, and why? GM: Sooboog is a sire that has pleasantly surprised me this year. They look like they will get up and run early like he did. He could be a bit of a surprise packet. TDN AusNZ: Which stallion, ever, do you think was the best type? GM: He might not have been the perfect ‘type’, but I always found the walk of Desert Sun (GB) captivating. A good walker will always get me in. It seems to be a trait of the Green Desert (USA) line and you see that in I Am Invincible. Fortunately, it helped hook me on Brazen Beau when I purchased him as a yearling. TDN AusNZ: Which first-season sire (other than your own) do you believe is most exciting? GM: Capitalist and Flying Artie have both impressed me right across the board. TDN AusNZ: What was your favourite weanling, yearling or mare purchase this year? GM: Pride Of Dubai x Fiery Dee (Fraar {USA}) yearling filly (QTIS Yearling Sale). She is all quality, one of the best QTIS fillies I have ever found. Her sire is doing a great job, and certainly the best foal out of the mare. It’s exciting a filly of this quality can earn almost $80,000 every time she wins a Brisbane Saturday metropolitan 2-year-old or 3-year-old race. TDN AusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star within the industry? (Person not horse). GM: The job Brendan Parnell has done at Racing Queensland has been outstanding. It is possibly one of the most challenging roles given the three code model and the tricky political climate in Queensland. But I think he has really unified the industry and helped deliver a lot of positive changes to make for a solid structure and a bright future. TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry? GM: I think we need to develop more prestige and privilege around the racehorse ownership experience at the track. Far more needs to be done on standardising the experience across all tracks and making it more user friendly. We need to make people want to jump the fence from being a non-owner. I think our PRA’s and Racing Australia need to put a lot more money into this area and assume more of the responsibility by taking the burden away from race clubs. TDN AusNZ: If you weren’t in this industry what would you do? GM: Golf and Rugby League were my other two passions when growing up and I still love both games. So perhaps a crack at a management role in one of them. I think any career associated with a passion is essential. You need to love what you do. TDN AusNZ: How are you keeping busy in isolation? GM: Still managing to get out for a bit of golf with my 10-year-old son who loves the game at our nearby golf course. Watching all the old tournaments on Fox has eaten up a bit of time too. Talented 3yo Baroda will remain at her home track to tackle the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) at the Gold Coast this Saturday. Baroda was also declared for Rosehill in the $200,000 Inglis Guineas (1400m) also on Saturday, with leading rider Kerrin McEvoy engaged. OnTrack principal Grant Morgan said the decision to stay at the Gold Coast was a difficult decision, but ultimately deferred to trainers Toby & Trent Edmonds. "I didnt think there was too much between the two races. The good draw at Rosehill was appealing to me. But Toby and Trent were keen to stay at home," said Morgan. "Gold Coast can be a tricky track and she is trained here and won here last start. She is going to have to overcome a wide alley and we are going to need a perfect ride from Andrew Mallyon." The All Gold OnTrack colours are regularly in the winners circle at the Gold Coast. They were successful in the 2017 Gold Coast Guineas with another talented Queensland bred filly in Savanna Amour. Andrew Mallyon will also partner the OnTrack managed Always on Show (NZ) in the Group 3 Ken Russell Classic (1200m) on the same card.
Prepared by Kris Lees, Always On Show (NZ) was a narrow second on debut at Newcastle on 2 May. A New Zealand bred 2yo filly bred to get over further, Always On Show (NZ) was also accepted to race at the Sunshine Coast on Friday over 1400m. But the lure of potential black type at the Gold Coast enticed both Lee's and the OnTrack connections. "Wisdom of Water looks the winner, but the rest of the field looks fairly even so we will have a throw at the stumps and see if she can run into a place," said Morgan. Always On Show (NZ) is the first starter for the OnTrack/Lees combination which is aiming to take advantage of the dual state system at Newcastle and the Gold Coast. "She will have a break up here and enjoy the Queensland winter. It's great to have the option of the two stables and move them seamlessly when it suits." "She is bred to be more of an Oaks or Guineas filly as a three year-old. So what she is doing now is very much a bonus. Black type would be a huge result as a 2yo," said Morgan. Promising filly Brazen Gem put some significant setbacks behind her with a scintillating winning return to the track. Ontrack’s daughter of Brazen Beau took her record to four starts for two wins and a placing with a dominant win over 1000 metres at Goulburn. Brazen Gem cleared maidens at Orange at her third start last November but came out of the race with a serious viral issues. The illness required intensive veterinary care and filly was sent straight to the spelling paddock once the virus was under control. Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker gave her a lengthy spell and she returned to the stable earlier this year and was fitted for her Goulburn race with two trials on her home track. From a tricky gate at a very windy Goulburn Brazen Gem settled off the speed with cover and shouldered her way into the clear turning for home and dashed away for a decisive win. Ontrack Thoroughbreds Grant Morgan purchased Brazen Gem at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale for $160,000. The filly was bred at Gerry Harvey’s Westbury Stud near Auckland and Brazen Gem is the first foal of the Dane Shadow mare Fifty Eight Facets who was a winner in a light career for trainer Peter Moody. Brazen Gem was the first runner by Ontrack’s former champion Brazen Beau to race in the Ontrack all gold colours and Ontrack has a number of unraced two and three-year-olds by Brazen Beau waiting in the wings. Ontrack’s Managing Director Grant Morgan purchased Brazen Beau as a yearling at the Inglis Classic Sale for $70,000 and managed his brilliant sprinting career which netted Group One wins in the Coolmore Stakes and Newmarket Handicap. Plans for the filly are likely to see her head to a city race at this stage of her career. Congratulations to our winning owners: David and Sue Worthley, Vin Harink, Mark Snowden, Fine Dining Syndicate (Manager Mark Ostermeyer), Malcolm Borger, Ailsa Morrison-Galt, Dave Moretti, Wayne and Paddi Muller, John and Barbara Gilbert, Christine Shaw, Robert Corolla, Bobby Vucenovic, Peter McClintock, Bob and Gladys Harvey, Judy Bandidt, Garry Batchelder, Brad Leaity John Loftus, Gerald and Antoinette Pacholec, D Paton, Roger Perusich, David Sparkes, Ken Stocks, Barry Tangitu, Anne Wade, Jean Weston, Ty Wagstaff. The team that raced il-fated stallion Tavistock have proven breeding can pay thanks to brilliant 'blue hen' broodmare Bagolollies. Tavistock was a Group One winner in New Zealand and a Group Two Blamey Stakes winner at Flemington before heading to Cambridge Stud where he had an amazing stud career before his untimely death after complications following a paddock accident. Tavistock was purchased as a yearling for $85,000 from the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Premier Sale by trainer Andrew Campbell acting on behalf of a syndicate of mates who had raced a number of horses with the stable. Tommy Heptinstall who had established a highly successful Wellington real estate company headed the syndicate and was joined by Andrew Campbell, David Allison, Chris and John Barnao, Tom Pivac and David Platt in racing Tavistock. When the horse went to stud the group decided to buy several broodmares to utilise the service rights they had to Tavistock. Amongst the mares was Bagolollies, a Zabeel mare who won twice over ground in a fairly light racing career. Bagolollies was in foal to shuttle stallion Iffraaj and the partnership sold the resultant filly for the price they originally paid for Bagolollies. The mare then produced a colt foal to Tavistock and that’s when the fun started. The group raced that colt and named Werther he was a stakes winner in New Zealand and Australia before the group sold him to Hong Kong businessman Johnathan Chen for a seven figure sum. Werther went on to become Hong Kong’s champion stayer winning four Group Ones and nearly $(HK) 59 million. Bagolollies then had a filly by Poi Moi which the group sold unraced to Australian breeders and the mare then produced a colt by Tavistock which they retained. Named Gobstopper, the horse won a Group 3 New Zealand Cup and eight other races and was back in winning form at Warnambool winning the Galleywood Hurdles on Tuesday for the group. Bagalollies then had three filly foals in a row to Tavistock and the partnership sold all three at sales around Australasia. The first sold for $300,000 at Karaka and raced as Milseain a four time winner and placed in the Group One New Zealand Oaks. Next came Candyland who bought $400,000 at the Inglis Easter Sale in Sydney going to Perth’s leviathan owner Bob Peters. She never raced and is being sold in foal to Pierro in the current Chairman’s Sale run by Inglis. The last filly from Bagalollies bought $500,000 when sold at Karaka to Kiwi bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne on behalf of Victorian Jonathan Munz.
Named Toffee Tongue she won Saturday’s Group One Schweppes Oaks in South Australia to give Bagalollies a perfect record of four starters for four winners – all of them Black Type horses. When Tavistock lost his battle against injury late last year the group elected to exit the breeding side of their operation and recently sold Bagalollies in foal to Tavistock to Hong Kong interests. They are disposing of their broodmares and the future focus will be solely on buying yearlings to race. It has been some journey and just shows you that making the right decisions in the game can produce significant returns. Jockeys Jessica Eaton and Jamie Kah will be carrying the hopes of many OnTrack connections at Caulfield this Saturday. Apprentice Jessica Eaton has retained the ride aboard talented OnTrack mare Arctic Shock who contests the $100,000 BM84 Fillies & Mares Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield. The daughter of Shocking has been second and third in two runs since resuming and with a bit of luck she could have posted a win in either event. She was ridden at both runs this time by Eaton, who is apprenticed to Arctic Shock's training partnership of John & Chris Meagher Arctic Shock resumed over 1300 metres at Bendigo and then stepped up to 1400 at Caulfield so the 1600 metres third up looks a perfect assignment. Group 3 placed as a three year-old, Arctic Shock has 3 wins and 8 placings from just 15 career starts. Her most recent victory came over 2040m at Moonee Valley last preparation before being spelled. Jamie Kah is back aboard Tavisan after a polished display at her only ride on the son of Tavistock to win the Apache Classic (1000m) at Cranbourne last spring. Tavisan heads to Caulfield for the $100,000 Open Handicap (1100m) and finds himself in a suitable race after resuming last month in the Hills Railway Stakes at Morphetville. He faded late in that 1000 metres dash, but the merit of the run was magnified on Saturday when the Hills Stakes winner Bella Vella came out and captured the Group One Sangster Sprint. Tavisan had been entered for the Wangoom Sprint during the week at Warnambool but trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior elected to reserve the horse for his home track. Mick Price felt that the Wangoom being a Listed event over 1200 metres would be a tough ask second up and felt the home track race provided a better option. Both Arctic Shock and Tavisan have had Queensland Winter Carnival campaigns placed on hold due to changes to the programme brought about by Covid 19.
New Zealand bred filly Always On Show indicated she has a bright future with an encouraging debut second in testing conditions at Newcastle. A Two year-old filly with Kris Lees, Always on Show faced high winds at her first time out over 1200m against older maidens. Forced to face the breeze outside the leader from a wide draw, Always On Show gave the perfect trail for the eventual winner Sybella. Also on debut, Sybella is prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden is a 3yo daughter of Snitzel. Syballa held Always on Show to a neck margin on the line. Always On Show is the first runner for the Ontrack/Kris Lees combination. A daughter of high-class European stallion Showcasing, Always in Show is out of the Monsun mare Forever and Ever. She is a full sister to Group 2 placed (Our) Intrigue who is a member of the strong Tony Pike stable from Cambridge, New Zealand. Always On Show was identified as a potential Guineas/Oaks type by Ontrack boss Grant Morgan who secured her at the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale for $110,000. Always on Show holds a nomination for the Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate (1400m) to be run at Eagle Farm on 6 June. Ontrack’s highly promising filly Baroda may have earned a trip to the big smoke with her comprehensive Gold Coast win. The good looking daughter of Epaulette took her record to seven starts for four wins and two placings with a dominant win in the QTIS Quality Handicap over 1200 metres at the Gold Coast. The filly may now head to Sydney in an attempt to win Black Type in the Listed Inglis Guineas being run at Rosehill in a fortnight. The $200,000 Inglis Guineas is usually run as part of the two-day stand alone Scone meeting but due to Covid 19 the meeting has been changed to a one day fixture at Rosehill on May 16. While the Inglis Guineas remains a strong focus, Baroda will also be entered for Black Type races at the Gold Coast meeting on the same day. The Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200 metres) and the Listed Silk Stocking (1200 metres) are being contested at the Gold Coast meeting. Ontrack’s Grant Morgan said Baroda will be entered for all three feature races and a decision on which race she contests will be made after studying the likely rivals. Ontrack purchased Baroda from the Inglis Classic Sale in 2018 for $150,000. She was consigned by Queensland Eureka Stud and she has now earned $229,850 with $106,050 coming through the QTIS bonus scheme. Baroda is prepared at the Gold Coast by Toby and Trent Edmonds and her home track win completed a double at the track for her trainers. She was ridden for the first time by Andrew Mallyon who is a relatively recent addition to the ranks of Queensland riders. The ride went Mallyon’s way after Ryan Maloney, the filly’s pilot in her previous two races, elected to move from the Gold Coast zone to the Brisbane metropolitan zone established to deal with Covid 19 restrictions. 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. |
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