It was a welcome return to Queensland for trainer Chris Meagher and his four year-old charge Brazen Princess when the duo made a welcome return to the winners circle at the Gold Coast. After a recent restructure of operations, Meagher Racing closed its Mornington base in Victoria to concentrate on their Eagle Farm stable. Trainer Chris Meagher emerged from Quarantine last week before making a re-appearance at the track to saddle up Brazen Princess. “It’s been a challenging time for Chris and the family with COVID reeking havoc on the two state operation during the past two years. Logistically it has been almost impossible,” said Grant Morgan. “Added to that, John Meagher has taken a step back from training and hasn’t enjoyed the best of health in recent times.” “I have no doubt Chris and his team will regain a strong position here in Queensland with a more boutique operation. “We look forward to bolstering our numbers with the stable in the new year and we will continue to support the stable strongly,” said Morgan. The OnTrack/Meagher combination has enjoyed a strong strike rate in terms of black type performers over a long period since the families return from Singapore. They include multiple Group 2 winner Savanna Amour, as well as stakes performers Harada Bay, Cruising Speed and Arctic Shock. Brazen Princess was partnered by Noel Callow, who enjoyed good success for Team Meagher in Singapore. Special mention to ‘Smudgee’ Syndicate members Barry Menzies and Peter Miles who made the 11 hour drive from Mackay to witness the win. The Smudgee Syndicate was formed by the late Stu Smith, a wonderful supporter and friend of OnTrack until his passing. Congratulations to winning owners Bill & Glenys Knobel, Vin Harink, Mark Zeller, Geoffrey & Lesley Moar, David Worthley, FRF Racing (Manager David Fitzpatrick), Petar Ivanovski, Smudgee Syndicate, Joe Oltvanyi, Gerald & Antoinette Pacholec & Meagher Racing Syndicate. Images: Courtesy of Grant Peters Trackside Photography: www.tracksidephotography.com Sir William Bruce, a regally bred three year-old son of the great Galileo, has been purchased by OnTrack at this week’s Tattersall’s August Horses in Training Sale at Newmarket. Sir William Bruce was secured for OnTrack by Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock, the man responsible for purchasing boom imported galloper Zaaki from the same ring last year. “Stuart was very enthusiastic about Sir William Bruce after he inspected him. He said you would have to go a long way to find a nicer type of horse, particularly at a horses in training sale. “Most importantly, he vetted out tremendously well. We feel we have all the framework there to develop him into a very nice middle distance prospect in Queensland to initially target the Winter carnival. “We think he represented tremendous value at 90,000 guineas," said Grant Morgan. Underbidder on Sir William Bruce was Hubie De Burgh, who was acting for Sydney based syndicators Darby Racing. “They aren’t making any more by Galileo who has been dominant with his mature European imports in Australia in the older middle distance ranks,” said Morgan. After spending the next 6 weeks in quarantine, Sir William Bruce will fly to Australia before beginning his next campaign under reigning champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan from his Eagle Farm stables.
Sir William Bruce is out of the Danehill mare Chanting and is a full brother to stakes winners Easter Lily and Circling. The Galileo x Danehill cross is responsible for champion gallopers Frankel, Highland Reel and Japan. No less than 16 individual Group 1 winner have come from the Galileo x Danehill cross which bats at an amazing 21% stakes winners to runners ratio. “The due diligence we did on the horse from various sources prior to the sale indicated that he is up to being a Listed class middle distance performer in Australia,” said Morgan. A lightly raced entire with just five starts under his belt, was formerly prepared by champion trainer Aiden O’Brien. Sir William Bruce was an on speed winner at Leopardstown over 2400m under Ryan Moore, after being narrowly beaten over 1600m at his second start at 2. “He will come over as an entire and will remain that way until we get to know him a bit more leaving us with the option of gelding up our sleeve. “He races on speed and likes firm ground. He was sharp enough to lead and just be run down over a mile at his second start,” said Morgan. There are limited ownership opportunities with Sir William Bruce, please complete an expression of interest below. |
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