 HOPEFUL (FR) 5yo g Motivator x Monst by Monsun Former French galloper Hopeful is likely to target the Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill prior to embarking on a Queensland Winter Carnival campaign for the Annabel Neasham yard. Hopeful (5yo g Motivator x Monst by Monsun) debuted in Australia last Saturday with an impressive second in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m). The Listed Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) is run at Rosehill on Saturday May 21, the same day as the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m). Hopeful holds a nomination for both races but is likely to head to Rosehill to avoid a clash with star stablemate Zaaki who will be shooting for back to back Doomben Cup’s. Hopeful has also been nominated for the $1.2m Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday 11 June. Hopeful was purchased by Grant Morgan’s OnTrack Thoroughbreds via its UK based agent representative Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock. Boman signed for Hopeful at the Arqana Sale of the Arc in October 2021 for 130,000 euros. Hopeful raced in France on 13 occasions for 5 wins and 4 placings. Winning up to Group 3 level, Hopeful’s wins ranged from a debut victory over 1500m at Deauville, through to a 2400m win at Chantilly. His most recent win before purchase came at Longchamp over 2250m on a Good track on 8 July 21. Prior to his Longchamp win, Hopeful won at Chantilly over 2400m on 6 June 21. Among the defeated brigade on that day was another Australian import Huetor, who was 5 lengths astern of Hopeful. Now trained in Australia by team Snowden, Huetor has been impressive since arriving in Australia having won 3 of his 4 starts down under. Hopeful was among 4 imports secured in late 2021 by the OnTrack/Boman combination from Europe. Sir William Bruce (IRE) (by Galileo) is in training with Tony Gollan at Eagle Farm, Imrahor (GB) (by Kingman) is also being prepared by Annabel Neasham, whilst Without Revenge (GB) (by Muhaarar) is being trained by David Vandyke at the Sunshine Coast.  Just over 100 guests enjoyed an afternoon in the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland for one of our popular yearling parades at Fenwick Farm. The parade was MC’d by the voice of Queensland racing Alan Thomas, and our special guest was master trainer David Vandyke. Guests were treated to sumptuous lunch from our friends at the Three Tree Frogs Café at Bundall, whilst Gold Coast KombiKeg provided refreshments including beer by popular local brewer Black Hops. Guests viewed 5 very nice yearlings which are all heading to the David Vandyke Sunshine Coast stables.    Among the yearlings are colts by American Pharoah (out of Group 1 winning mare Speak Fondly) and another by boom first season New Zealand sire Almanzor. There are also three outstanding fillies by sires Merchant Navy, Hellbent and Harry Angel. Shares are available in all five yearlings now in both 5% and 1% units, with shares to fit all budgets. Thanks also to Scott Brennan, Amanda & Pete Lowry and all the team at Fenwick Farm for turning the horses out in great order and opening their doors to our clients. We look forward to staging many more events and tours post pandemic, we will keep you posted on upcoming events.    Promising three year-old filly Burning Bell made it back to back wins and pocketed another lucrative QTIS bonus when she scored at the Sunshine Coast making it 2 wins from 3 starts. Burning Bell will now be given a let up before being stepped up into stakes company at her next start. She will be targeted towards the Listed Denises Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone on Saturday 14 May. “It looks the ideal race to head towards now. There isn’t a lot of shorter races with black type for fillies during the Queensland winter so we will have a throw at the stumps at this,” said Grant Morgan from OnTrack. “If she could run third it gets her some quick black type and will help sure up her residual value very early in her career. “The Denises Joy is run at handicap conditions so that suits ideally. It wouldn’t be as attractive if it were run at set weights conditions. “Hopefully she can sneak into the field. We think she is a progressive filly with plenty of potential,” said Morgan.   Burning Bell is prepared by Toby and Trent Edmonds, and was well ridden by Ryan Maloney despite the filly running out late when it appeared she caught site of the winning post, at what was her first run at the Sunshine Coast. “She pulled up with some lacerations in behind too so perhaps they may of contributed to her waywardness during the final stages,” said Morgan After just three starts, Burning Bell has banked gross prizemoney of $74,500, thanks in part to the wonderful QTIS bonuses which are particularly lucrative for fillies. She looked a good thing beaten on debut at Ipswich, before demoralising a maiden field a the same track prior to her Sunshine Coast win. Congratulations to winning owners: Malcolm Borger, Norm Fowles, Average Joe Racing Synd (Manager: Troy Rowe), Jason & Linda Lelay, Colin & Jenny Watts, Chris Scott, Anne Wade, Darren Turner, Chris Goddard, Damien Chown, Tony Wilson, Denis & Margaret Frew, Trent Purdon, Anthony Bailey, Jenny Ball, Joeline Barnes, Garry Batchelder, Tracey Bliss, Stuart Cadzow, Stephen Carroll, Darren Chiswick, Gary Egan, Tim Gaske, Paul Lewis, Bebe Mawer, Chris Newman, Jason Piddington, Kevan Richiardi, Vic Smythe & Peter Willis  Bel Esprit three year-old Burning Bell looked ultra impressive winning at the Brisbane metro meeting in what was an action packed day at Ipswich. Prepared by Toby and Trent Edmonds, Burning Bell was sent out a warm $1.60 favourite on the strength of a luckless second at the same track and distance on debut in February. Ryan Maloney was set to ride Burning Bell before being ruled out after being dislodged from Sacred Oath in a well publicised incident earlier in the day. Andrew Mallyon stepped in for the ride and gave a polished display to get the filly across from a wide barrier into the box seat, before racing away for a widening 2.8 length margin on the line. “I really like this fillies action. What I liked even more today was the turn of foot she showed. To be any chance of making it to black type level, you have to have turn of foot,” said OnTrack’s Grant Morgan. “She didn’t have any luck on debut and we came her with plenty of confidence off the back of that and her very good work since.”    Burning Bell was an inexpensive yearling purchase for Ontrack and what is now a large ownership group. Purchased from the COVID impacted 2020 QTIS Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Burning Bell was secured for just $38,000. Burning Bell is the second foal from the 2yo stakeswinning Sequalo mare Flamenco. Like top sires Written Tycoon and Capitalist, Burning Bell was bred in Queensland by prodigious winner getting farm Daandine Stud at Warwick. Congratulations to winning owners: Malcolm Borger, Norm Fowles, Average Joe Racing Synd (Manager: Troy Rowe), Jason & Linda Lelay, Colin & Jenny Watts, Chris Scott, Anne Wade, Darren Turner, Chris Goddard, Damien Chown, Tony Wilson, Denis & Margaret Frew, Trent Purdon, Anthony Bailey, Jenny Ball, Joeline Barnes, Garry Batchelder, Tracey Bliss, Stuart Cadzow, Stephen Carroll, Darren Chiswick, Gary Egan, Tim Gaske, Paul Lewis, Bebe Mawer, Chris Newman, Jason Piddington, Kevan Richiardi, Vic Smythe & Peter Willis. Photos courtesy of Trackside: www.tracksidephotography.com  Developing mare Always On Show continued her progress as a City class middle distance performer with another dominant win at Doomben. Always On Show lined up at Doomben off a tricky 35 day gap between runs, with her last start being a solid effort in much stronger company at the Gold Coast on Magic Millions day in a $500,000 event over 1800m. Perfectly prepared by the Kris Lee’s Gold Coast stable, Always On Show continued her good record at Doomben over the 1600m with 2 wins from as many starts. Always On Show has now won 3 races and placed on 8 occasions from 20 starts, with a further four 4th prize cheques including the Listed Ken Russell Stakes at 2. Bred in New Zealand, Always On Show is a full sister to the well performed Chris Waller prepared mare 6yo Our Intrigue. The winner of 5 races in Australia and New Zealand, Our Intrigue was a narrow second at her most recent start in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in what was clearly a career best rating at start 27. Photos courtesy of Trackside Photography   “Always On Show continues to be a work in progress and we feel she is probably another year away from fully developing physically and mentally,” said Ontrack’s Grant Morgan. “I hope she can deliver her peak ratings as an older mare like her full sister Our Intrigue. The pair are very similar in type so hopefully Always On Show can develop into a black type mare as she gets older. “As a Magic Millions graduate we will make sure we keep her heading towards a start on the January raceday. Hopefully next year she can be competitive in a race like the $1m Magic Millions Subzero (2400m),” said Morgan. Always On Show was perfectly ridden by Andrew Mallyon despite drawing wide. Mallyon had Always On Show outside the leader in what looked the ideal position in running. Always On Show was purchased by Grant Morgan at the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale for $110,000. Consigned at that sale by Mike Fleming’s Bhima Stud, Always On Show was bred in New Zealand by leading farm Haunui Stud from the Monsun mare Forever and Ever. Congratulations to winning owners Congratulations to owners: FTB Syndicate (Manager Paul Holloway), Paul & Karen Davis, Marilyn Searles, Mike Larmer, Kate Kelly, Norm & Ted Land, Babu No 4 (Manager Prof James Dale), The fifthhole Racing (Manager Damien Dwyer), Brad Maltby, Denis McGrorey, Albert Cid, Gary Pratt, Bruce Young, Mark Wood, Dinah Newhouse, Michael Byrne, Gary Batchelder, Brian & Linda Irwin, Carl Fischer, Robert Hill, Glenda Newick, Tim O’Neil & Julee Van Steenis.   Mary Collier by Grant Morgan
Today marks an important milestone for the Carbine Club of Queensland with the admission of its first female member in well-known Brisbane racing administrator Mary Collier. I was very pleased to nominate Mary as a member, with the nomination seconded by Gold Coast Turf Club Chairman Brett Cook. Mary Collier is one of the most decorated and knowledgeable female racing administrators in Australia, having been a past Chairman of the Brisbane Turf Club (Doomben), past President of the Queensland Jockeys Association and more recently the Executive General Manager, Racing Queensland. I’ve been fortunate to be a member of the Carbine Club of Queensland for more than 10 years now and have met some wonderful people in Australia and around the world via my membership. The Carbine Club was first formed in Melbourne 1961, with sister clubs formed in New Zealand (1971), New South Wales (1977), Queensland (1981), Tasmania (1982), South Australia (1983), Western Australia (1988), Australian Capital Territory (1989), Papua New Guinea (1990), Hong Kong (1991), South Africa (1996), London (1997), Dubai (2002), Singapore (2010) and Vanautu (2012). The club is named after the amazing thoroughbred Carbine, the winner of 33 races including the 1890 Melbourne Cup. In doing so he set a weight carrying record carrying the equivalent of 66kg, carrying some 24kg more than his nearest rival in record time by more than 21 lengths. The Carbine Club is formed on the basis of fellowship and support of junior sport in various fields through annual fund-raising activities highlighted by the popular Carbine Club lunches which are stages throughout the world. The Carbine Club has strong roots in Thoroughbred Racing, Rugby League, Cricket, AFL and Surf Lifesaving.  After navigating the various 'COVID' landmines during 2021, it was with welcome relief and anticipation that we were able to stage our second Hunter Valley Horse & Wine Tour for the year. Our 12 guests have been mostly forced to postpone this visit to the Hunter Valley which we traditionally operate each October. Earlier in the year we also ran an a Hunter Valley Tour in April, with again this group comprising of previously booked guests. The December tour was staged in the normal format of 4 nights, based at the very cosy Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens at Pokolbin. This year the group visited Newgate Farm, Godolphin, Yarraman Park, Vinery and Coolmore, with Kia Ora Stud also making its first appearance on this tour which was first staged in 2014. At this stage of the year we are normally in Hong Kong hosting the Longines International races tour. But this year, the later Hunter Valley Tour enabled us all to get some early inspections done of some yearling headed to the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January. The next OnTrack Hunter Valley Horse & Wine Tour will be held Sunday 27 March – Thursday 31 March 2022 (4 nights), followed by Sunday 9 October – Thursday 13 October 2022 (4 nights)  Part owners Judi and Bruce Gowing celebrate the win of Pascal at Gosford The promising Pascal made it back to back wins at Gosford extending his record to two wins from three starts for Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes. It was fabulous to see part owners Bruce and Judi Gowing at the track yesterday to watch the win and enjoy the post-race celebrations thanks to the very hospitable staff at Gosford. For some reason, the Gosford winning post can prove daunting for many horses. Pascal added his name to that list, shying out on the line under jockey Glyn Schofield. Despite that, Pascal continues to improve with racing and the win signalled back to back wins after he scored a dominant first up maiden win at Newcastle earlier this month. The son of So You Think is still fairly raw in places and has been given plenty of time to mature by very patient owners and trainers. Pascal is the first horse prepared by the family training partnership of Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes, with sons Michael and Wayne. Team Hawkes operate stables at both Rosehill and Flemington, providing valuable race options for horses in both New South Wales and Victoria. Congratulations to winning owners Ryan Lawlor, Dr David & Sue Worthley, Judi & Bruce Gowing, Mark Ostermeyer, Paddi & Wayne Muller, Dan McHugh, Mike Larmer, Dr Dilip Dhupelia, the estate of the late Lilian Brady, Haymar Racing Syndicate (Mark Horn & Haydn Stjernqvist), Mark Snowden, Tim Henderson, Ken Stocks, Jenny Lawlor, John Barnao and the OnTrack Pascal Syndicate: Dan Sullivan, Robert Hill, Lisa Saxton, Stephen Hurford, Brian Cadusch, Neil Evison, Dan Slater, Brian Irwin, Garry Batchelder, Ian Mathieson, Greg Bennett, Chloe Bennett, Antony White, Alex White, Max Wylie & Alan Jackson.  The very good-looking Pascal delivered on his abundant raw potential with a strong first up win at Newcastle. A son of So You Think, Pascal is the first horse prepared for OnTrack by the family training partnership of John, Michael & Wayne Hawkes. Pascal spent his formative months being educated and growing out in New Zealand with Matamata horseman Jacob McKay. He was then landed in Queensland to continue his education with master horseman Greg Bennett at Fenwick Farm. He was sent South to Team Hawkes as a colt before being gelded and winning a jump out at Flemington. Pascal was spelled following a promising third at his only previous appearance at Canterbury over 1250m in April this year. Pascal trialled impressively at Rosehill in late September before his Newcastle victory. “It’s been a gradual process of getting to this stage but there is no point rushing horses that aren’t equipped to fully deliver both mentally and physically,” said OnTrack’s Grant Morgan.. “He has always shown ability and a good action so we have encouraged our owners to be patient and to allow Team Hawkes to give him the time he has needed. “Hopefully this will now start to pay our owners dividends as he continues to mature. “You could see at Newcastle that he is still very raw and a work in progress, but its very encouraging to produce two very strong efforts at his only racetrack appearances,” said Morgan.   Pascal was secured by OnTrack’s Grant Morgan at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Sale at Karaka for $200,000 from Beaufort Downs draft. He is a son of the Redoute’s Choice mare Saint Angers who is a three quarter sister to Gonski and Recast and the family of Schubert. Congratulations to winning owners Ryan Lawlor, Dr David & Sue Worthley, Judi & Bruce Gowing, Mark Ostermeyer, Paddi & Wayne Muller, Dan McHugh, Mike Larmer, Dr Dilip Dhupelia, the estate of the late Lilian Brady, Haymar Racing Syndicate (Mark Horn & Haydn Stjernqvist), Mark Snowden, Tim Henderson, Ken Stocks, Jenny Lawlor, John Barnao and the OnTrack Pascal Syndicate: Dan Sullivan, Robert Hill, Lisa Saxton, Stephen Hurford, Brian Cadusch, Neil Evison, Dan Slater, Brian Irwin, Garry Batchelder, Ian Mathieson, Greg Bennett, Chloe Bennett, Antony White, Alex White, Max Wylie & Alan Jackson. Photos courtesy of Newcastle Jockey Club  Speedy mare Foxy Rippa was sent to Gatton for a confidence building win by trainer Tony Gollan. The four year-old mare by Foxwedge showed her customary speed despite sustaining a bump for the starting gate when exiting the barriers. Well ridden by talented rider Georgina Cartwright, Foxy Rippa triumphed narrowly to make it her second career victory from 8 starts. Foxy Rippa is a half sister to the multiple stakes winner I’m A Rippa, a winner of more than $1.2m and also prepared by Tony Gollan. Foxy Rippa was secured by Ontrack’s Grant Morgan at the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale for $100,000 from the draft leading Darling Downs nursery Eureka Stud. Foxy Rippa is out of the winning Seidnazar mare Derippa, who is now the dam of four named foals for four winners. Congratulations to our owners Dennis & Dell Bates, Tracey Wheelan, Maryann Bender, Shari Kubler, Haimes Racing (Jamie Haimes), Smeath Racing (Darren Smeath), Nigel Green, Dr Ailsa Morrison-Galt, Glenn Townsend, Paul Lindstrom, Andrew Wellington, Dr Dilip Dhupelia, Collin Willoughby, Executive Racing Club, Paul Ashley, Stephen Carroll, Jim Conroy, Deslee Davis, Tony Juric, Bebe Mawer, Gavin O’Brien, Sam Politi, Michael Rose & Elizabeth Wilson. Images: Courtesy of Grant Peters Trackside Photography: www.tracksidephotography.com    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 (IRE) (3yo c Galileo - Chanting by Danehill) 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.  Clever sprinter Tavisan made it a successful entry to Queensland racing with a dominant win at the Sunshine Coast for new trainer Kris Lees. Tavisan was previously prepared in Victoria by Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior. Following an unplaced effort at Rosehill, the Tavistock gelding was sent north to refuel in the paddock during the warm Queensland winter. Tavisan was perfectly placed first up in Class 5 set weights conditions. “It was the right time to bring him to Queensland. Our set weights races are ideal for quality horses like Tavisan to ease their way into racing here,” said Grant Morgan of Ontrack. “This race came up at exactly the right time to give him the chance at a kill first up and get his confidence back. “He is still eligible for one more Class 6 race so we will just have to see if we wait for one of those or if he goes back to open company now,” said Morgan. Kris Lees was selected as Tavisan’s new trainer to take advantage of his dual state operation in Queensland and New South Wales. “He’s a tricky horse to place so we felt that having access to both Queensland and New South Wales with Kris was going to increase our ability to place him in the right races,” said Morgan.    In form rider Andrew Mallyon gave a polished display aboard Tavisan continuing his strong combination as first choice rider for the Lees’ Queensland base. Mallyon was also seen to advantage on another recent Ontrack winner in Calcareous, who scored at Grafton for the ex Victorian hoop during the July carnival. Tavisan’s record now stands at $401,427 in prizemoney with 6 wins and 8 placings from 29 starts. His CV includes stakes placings in the Group 2 Australia Stks at Moonee Valley (1200m), Group 2 Danehill Stks (1200m) at Flemington, Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield and the Listed Doveton Stks (1000m) at Sandown. Tavisan was purchased as a yearling by Grant Morgan of Ontrack for $135,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale from the Hallmark Stud draft. Congratulations to winning owners Adrian Albrecht, Jim Lagos, Lewis Prince, Eric Newsome, Dr David Worthley, Vin Harink, Mark Snowden, Mark Ostermeyer, Neil Evison, Mark Horn & Haydn Stjernqvist, Lisa Saxton, Bebe Mawer, Executive Racing Club (Manager Jamie Haimes) & S M C Racing (Manager Michael Szkwarek). Photos courtesy of Trackside Photography: www.tracksidephotography.com Prescott still firing at age 73  The Sir Mark Prescott trained ALPHINISTA (by Frankel) wins the Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin. by Grant Morgan Newmarket training legend Sir Mark Prescott has landed another Group 1 winner with Frankel mare Alphinista capturing the 131st running of the prestigious Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin. The evergreen 73 year-old Prescott recently celebrated the 50 year anniversary of his first winner. His first group 1 winner came with Pivotal in the 1996 Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Sir Mark is a cornerstone feature of the OnTrack Royal Ascot Tour, which is highlighted by a personal tour of Prescott’s historic Heath House Stables at Newmarket. On the most recent OnTrack Royal Ascot tour in 2019, we were also fortunate to have Sir Mark’s company at our memorable feature dinner at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket, with fellow trainers Marco Botti, Stephen Gray (Singapore) and Toby and Trent Edmonds. An amazing raconteur on a wide range of topics, Sir Mark also has a colourful history in coursing and boxing. It is an absolute privilege to be able to spend time with him.   Sir Mark’s involvement in the OnTrack tour comes thanks to our European Bloodstock agent contact Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock. Stuart has co-hosted our last two Royal Ascot tours and is currently working to secure two new European imports for our clients to race in Australia. Boman has enjoyed good success in recent times with star import Zaaki. Alphinista’s granddam Albanova was also prepared by Prescott to win the Grosser Preis von Berlin for wealthy Sweedish born owner breeder Kirsten Rausing and her Lanwades Stud at Newmarket. Frankel has now reached 18 individual Group 1 winners, including two in Australia with Hungry Heart (2021 Vinery Stks at Rosehill and ATC Oaks at Randwick) and Converge (2021 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm). Another popular feature of the OnTrack Royal Ascot Tour, is a visit to Juddmonte Farms Banstead Manor Stud at Newmarket, the home of Frankel. The next Ontrack Royal Ascot Tour is planned for June 2023.    Almost $29m in additional money will be ploughed into Queensland racing prizemoney and infrastructure over the next two years with officials reaching a decision on how best to spend the recent windfall as a result of the Point of Consumption Tax.
A focus on everyday racing will see an additional $2000 added to every maiden race at TAB meetings at metropolitan, provincial and country level while all non-TAB races will have their prizemoney boosted from $7400 to $8500. All Listed races will see their prizemoney boosted from $125,000 to $130,000. An additional $1.2m has been added to the highly successful Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme (QTIS) which will see bonuses for all southeast Queensland provincial races lifted from $12,000 to $14,000. Greyhound racing will see boosts of $1.7m to prizemoney while harness receives $900,000 along with $800,000 per year injected into the QBRED breeding scheme. “It will be delivered through increased prizemoney from 1 September 2021, along with infrastructure grants and improved club funding and allow us to support more jobs as part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery from COVID-19,” Racing Minister Grace Grace said. “The Investment Plan will benefit almost 40,000 Queensland participants.” After announcing increases to summer and winter carnivals, Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson said there was a focus on supporting the lower levels of racing in the Sunshine State. “It is important that we provide all participants with the confidence to continue to work and invest within the Queensland racing industry,” he said. “As a result, we are providing strategic funding for our three codes, with a strong emphasis on commercial competitiveness at the grassroots and making Queensland attractive for all participants.” The governing body will kick in an additional $3.5m for key infrastructure projects which includes on-course stabling at a number of race clubs. Words courtesy of Racing Queensland & Racenet  John Gilbert (left) with Paul Messara on the 2012 OnTrack Dubai Tour by Grant Morgan It is with much regret we acknowledge the passing of John Gilbert. After losing his beloved Barbara, John sustained a serious stroke and very sadly passed in Melbourne on Monday. John and Barbara are survived by sons Simon, Craig, Mark and Adam and a wider family group which will carry on the Gilbert name for many generations to come. John was an amazing man who is simply irreplaceable. After coming to terms with losing Barbara, its absolutely heart breaking that John has now left us too. A very successful businessman in both Queensland and Victoria, John Gilbert’s business interests were vast an eclectic right until the end. They ranged from developing the Coomera Springs sub division on the Northern Gold Coast, international offshore Power Boat racing and successful stage musical productions like ‘Dusty’ and 'Dream Lover'. Life was never dull for John and anyone fortunate enough to have spent time with him. I was originally introduced to John Gilbert by my Gold Coast Racing partner John Wightman, another very successful business figure here in South East Queensland. I count myself very fortunate to have been tutored in business and life by both men, both leaving indelible marks spanning almost 20 years. John Gilbert had a wonderfully common touch that made him at ease with business heavyweights and street sweepers alike. He never forgot his humble roots and the work ethic that made him. Rest easy John with your beloved Barbara beside you. Forever in our hearts and minds.  Barbara and John Gilbert on the OnTrack Hong Kong Tour 2010 Late last week we lost an incredibly special person and one of the strongest ‘All Gold’ supporters with Barbara Gilbert passing late last week in Melbourne. Our immediate thoughts are now with John Gilbert who tragically suffered a serious stroke this week, adding to the immense pain being suffered by the family. Barbara and John have been a cornerstone of our syndicate and tour business since our inception. “John and Barbara have been amazing supporters, staunch advocates, but above all, wonderful friends particularly when times were tough,” said Grant Morgan. “ I’m devastated by Barbara’s passing and John’s subsequent serious illness. Words really can’t express how everyone is feeling about this horrible news.” John Gilbert (left) with Paul Messara during the 2012 OnTrack Dubai Word Cup tour  John and Barbara Gilbert at 'The Ritz' in London during the 2012 OnTrack Royal Ascot Tour At the time of her passing, Barbara was a shareholder in Brazen Gem, Invincore, Brazen Force, Gallant Mist and Alfresco. John and Barbara formed an integral part of our initial tour groups to the Hunter Valley and New Zealand, before later joining us in Hong Kong, Royal Ascot, Ireland, Dubai and subsequent tours of the Hunter Valley and New Zealand. Barbara was also the major part owner of the first horse to carry our ‘All Gold’ colours at Group 1 level when the Mick Price prepared Galaxy Lad was unplaced in the 2007 VRC Derby. Our love and support is with sons Simon, Craig, Mark and Adam and their extended family and friends. Lauren Abbott scores first win for OnTrack  Images courtesy of Trackside Photography www.tracksidephotography.com Immature three year-old Calcareous broke through for a character building win at his first start for new trainer Lauren Abbott on the final day of the time honoured Grafton July carnival. Now a rangy grey gelding by Not A Single Doubt, Calcareous had shown good ability at the trials for Toby and Trent Edmonds before being switched to Lauren Abbott in an attempt to try and unlock his quirky personality. Ontrack’s Grant Morgan explains that Calcareous has been an immature horse with ability, but has required some left field thinking after disappointing at his only start. “Calcareous has been very immature mentally and has really taken a long time to grow up after disappointing on debut in his first prep," said Morgan. “We gelded him, but last prep after three trials he just wasn’t holding condition and enjoying training so we bit the bullet and turned him back out without racing. “He appeared to me as one of those horses not ideally suited to bigger stable life so I thought we would try him with a smaller stable which might be able to get in between his ears and work out what makes him tick. Morgan turned to Brisbane trainer Lauren Abbott. “Lauren does plenty of beach work and has him going on and off floats all the time. This has made him a bit tougher and has made him grow up. “As a result he seems to be enjoying his work and holding his condition much better. “I think its also been good that Lauren rides much of her own work, enabling her to get to know his quirks and traits. “This is the first horse Lauren has had for us, but I’ve known her for a long time and have every confidence in her ability. I’m thrilled she has been able to get an immediate result and I hope it helps put her on the map,” said Morgan   Calcareous is out of the grey Reset mare Warpath who won 7 races for John O’Shea, including a Listed win in Sydney over 1600m. “I have no doubt he will be a better 4yo and 5yo and is likely to get out to a mile like his dam did. I think that this family gets better with time although they all show ability early. “But we really needed to change things up with him as he could have been a horse that slipped right through the cracks,” said Morgan. Warpath is now the dam of 6 six to race for 6 winners, including Group 2 winner Positive Peace. She is also the dam of last week’s impressive Eagle Farm winner Rotator, a four year-old full sister to Calcareous now being prepared by David Vandyke. Andrew Mallyon partnered Calcareous to victory at Grafton, but much of the ground work for success was laid by fellow rider James Orman. “Jimmy (Orman) has ridden him a fair bit in a jump out and gallops to get him ready for this. It was unfortunate he couldn’t take the ride due to other commitments at the Sunshine Coast,” said Morgan. Congratulations to Calcareous owners: Sean Reilly, David & Sue Worthley, Grojo Racing (Manager Brett Grogan), Paul Kitching, David Moretti, Mark Ostermeyer, Ricky & Reg Kim, Russell Neave, Tracey Lindstrom, Andrew Wellington, Dr Andrew Terluk, Nicole Lennox, Ken Stocks, Colin McFarlane, Brady Crowe, Stuart Cadzow, Stephen Carroll, Paul Ashley, Jenny Ball, Scott Boole, Tony Browning, Brian Cadusch, Darren Chiswick, Gary Egan, David Garnett, Trevor McPhail, Wendy Meppem, Gary Nelson, Troy O’Neil, Melissa Taylor & Peter Viney.   Dream Master easily winning his last race at Doomben The much-loved Dream Master has been retired as a happy and sound seven year-old. Dream Master was placed in his new off track home by current trainer Mitch Beer with enthusiastic young employee Kip Rieck. Kip fell in love with Dream Master whilst in work, and was quick to put her hand up to provide a wonderful new direction away from the racetrack. Full credit must go to the Dream Master ownership group which didn’t hesitate to retire him following a lack lustre final start at Wagga on 29 May which indicated he had lost his zest for racing. Aside from Kip Rieck, the shareholder group also put forward several other re-homing options, whilst former trainer Toby Edmonds also volunteered a new off track home. Dream Master won 6 races and was placed in a further 14 in a 34 start career spanned between three stables - Chris Waller, Toby and Trent Edmonds and Mitch Beer.  Kip Rieck  A young Kip Rieck early on in her riding career Born in Western Australia, Kip Rieck comes from a pony club back ground and embarked in a full time career with Mitch Beer from school after moving to a Sheep/Grain farm in Swan Hill. “I fell in love with Dream Master straight away. He had a beautiful temperament around the track and stables. I’m so thankful to have been given him and I look forward to our future together after he’s had a well deserved rest,” said Kip. Encouraged to ride by her mother from a very young age, Kip’s talents in the saddle grew as she worked moving cattle and participating in horse events at pony club. “ Me and my brother did school of the air back in WA but half of my schooling was done on horse back as I didn’t like the classroom. “ We eventually moved closer to Perth where my mum either worked with horse or cattle on farms. I always helped and quite often was required to move cattle on horseback," said Kip. We wish Kip and Dream Master (aka Andy) the very best for the future and we look forward to seeing them both progress. Promising middle distance future ahead for New Zealand bred filly  ALWAYS ON SHOW (NZ) wins at Doomben with CRAIG WILLIAMS Ultra consistent 3yo filly Always On Show was the beneficiary of a sparkling ride from in form jockey Craig Williams to score her first metropolitan win at Doomben. Prepared by dual state trainer Kris Lees, Always On Show was sent North to Lees’ Gold Coast stable following metropolitan placings in Sydney at her last two starts in harder grade. Always On Show has now won 2 races 8 placings from just 13 starts, with both her victories coming over 1600m. “Her full sister is Group 2 placed over 2100m in New Zealand so we have always felt that Always On Show would get out over ground,” said Ontrack’s Grant Morgan. “She has just been a bit immature mentally but is really starting to put it together now. “We think there is plenty more to come. She will spell in Queensland now she is up this way and I am sure she will furnish out during her break in ideal spelling conditions. “She’s a Magic Millions filly so you always have to think towards the races on offer here in Queensland. They are catering for horses that get over more ground now which is great,” said Morgan.   Images courtesy of Grant Peters Trackside Photography www.tracksidephotography.com Always On Show was bred in New Zealand by the Chitty family at their Haunui Farm, which was also the former southern hemisphere home to her sire Showcasing (GB). Bred to stay being out of the Monsun mare Forever and Ever, Always On Show is a. full sister to Gr 2 runner up (Our) Intrigue who is a winner up to 2200m for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike. Her second dam Time Ahead was Group 1 runner up as a three year-old in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (2100m) at Chantilly. Always On Show was purchased at the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale by Ontrack boss Grant Morgan. Congratulations to owners: FTB Syndicate (Manager Paul Holloway), Paul & Karen Davis, Marilyn Searles, Mike Larmer, Kate Kelly, Norm & Ted Land, Babu No 4 (Manager Prof James Dale), The Fifthhole Racing (Manager Damien Dwyer), Brad Maltby, Denis McGrorey, Albert Cid, Gary Pratt, Bruce Young, Mark Wood, Dinah Newhouse, Michael Byrne, Gary Batchelder, Brian & Linda Irwin, Carl Fischer, Robert Hill, Glenda Newick, Tim O’Neil & Julee Van Steenis. Admire Mars standing 2021 Australian breeding season  Admire Mars John Messara has long been a fan of Japanese racing and breeding with the leading breeder adding Admire Mars to the Arrowfield roster for 2021. Admire Mars will be available for inspection on the next OnTrack Hunter Valley Horse and Wine Tour (10 -14 October, 2021), with only a handful of seats remaining. An unbeaten champion two year-old, Admire Mars is a triple Group 1 winning miler and the only three year-old winner of the prestigious Hong Kong International Mile. Left in his wake at Sha Tin was champion 7 time Group 1 winner Beauty Generation, stamping Admire Mars as one of the worlds best 3yo milers in 2019.  Admire Mars wins the Hong Kong International Mile Admire Mars is a grand son of the great Sunday Silence being by Daiwa Major and was bred at Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm. Out of the Medicean mare Via Medici, Admire Mars is Danehill free making him highly compatible with the Arrowfield broodmare band, and indeed, the wider Australian stud book. Admire Mars will stand alongside another Hong Kong International mile winner in another Japanese bred mile star in Maurice. With his oldest Australian progeny 2, Maurice has made a very good start to his stud career thus repaying Arrowfield’s faith in the Japanese breed. Maurice has produced 6 individual winners and 5 stakes place getters in Mazu, Maurice’s Medad, Invinsible Tears, Morioka and Port Louis. Admire Mars stands at Arrowfied Stud in 2021 at a fee of $22,000, whilst Maurice is available at $44,000.  Video Courtesy of Racing Queensland Gold Coast trainer Shirley Batten shows no signs of slowing down as she approaches the 90 year mark. It was fabulous to see Racing Queensland highlight Shirley with a recent video profile on this remarkable horse women. Shirley has been a fixture on many OnTrack Racing Tours for more than ten years. A veteran of two Royal Ascot tours with OnTrack, Shirley has also attended Ontrack tours to Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai. The team at OnTrack always love spending time with Shirley and her family, we feel privileged to know her.  Shirley Batten  Shirley Batten (left) and Roma Brideoak (right) on the 2012 OnTrack Royal Ascot Racing Tour  Shirley Batten enjoying a 'Singapore Sling' at Raffles on the Ontrack Singapore Tour 2013.  Shirley Batten (right) with Helen Donnelly (left) on the OnTrack Hong Kong Tour 2010 with Steve Hewlett of Radio TAB (Queensland) Newmarket bloodstock agent STUART BOMAN tells the story of how he secured outstanding middle distance prospect ZAAKI (GB) who was a dominant winner of the Grpup 1 Doomben Cup. Interview courtesy of Radio TAB (Queensland) & Steve Hewlett.  Coolmore buy for $1.25m  Wootton Bassett will cover Savanna Amour this spring Former OnTrack star Savanna Amour will call Coolmore Stud home after fetching $1.25m to the bid of Tom Magnier at the recent Inglis Chairmans Sale. Savanna Amour will have a spring date with boom new Coolmore stallion Wootton Bassett in the Hunter Valley later this year. Sold in foal to Coolmore’s own Fastnet Rock, Savanna Amour was sold privately off the track by the OnTrack managed ownership group to B2B Thoroughbreds. Savanna Amour has an outstanding first foal filly on the ground by Fastnet Rock who has been retained by B2B Thoroughbreds. Wootton Bassett was acquired by Coolmore earlier this year and he represents one of the most exciting proven shuttle stallions to visit Australia in some time. A son of Ifraaj, Wootton Bassett has made a remarkable start to his career off a low grade of mare from his former base in France. Entering stud in 2013, Wootton Bassett is the sire of 139 individual winners from 257 starters. Of those winners 17 are stakes winners, with another 14 stakes placed. His principle performers have been Group 1 winners Alamanzor, Audarya and Wooded.  Alamanzor (by Wootton Bassett) stands in New Zealand at Cambridge Stud Wootton Bassett is already represented at stud in the Southern Hemisphere by the very promising Almanzor, who stands in New Zealand at Cambridge Stud.
Alamanzor’s oldest Southern Hemisphere yearlings have been very well received this year, with much expected of the good looking son of Wootton Bassett. Wootton Bassett will be a key feature of the October renewal of the OnTrack Hunter Valley Horse and Wine Tour (10-14 October 2021). Alamanzor will again be popular with our guests on the OnTrack New Zealand Horse and Wine Tour (25-30 November 2021). ZAAKI FUELS TRIED HORSE GOALS Last week’s dominant Group 2 Holindale Stakes winner Zaaki has provided inspiration for OnTrack to enter the European tried horse market later this year. Zaaki was purchased by Newmarket based, Australian born Bloodstock Agent Stuart Boman. A long term friend and colleague of Ontrack boss Grant Morgan, Stuart Boman works closely with the team at OnTrack, most recently co-hosting our last Royal Ascot tour which was last staged in 2019. Working out of Newmarket in the UK, Boman has a detailed understanding of racing in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere’s. Grant Morgan said the team at OnTrack was preparing to enter the European tried horse market, with the assistance of Stuart Boman. “I think now is the time to target some European horses for Queensland. We have some outstanding trainers here now and the races to match,” said Morgan. “We have three high value races here in the Winter run over the the middle distances which are amazing targets. "The Gr 2 Q22 is worth $1.2m (2200m), the Gr 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) is worth $700k and the Gr 2 Holindale (1800m) is worth $700k. "I can see the prizemoney and status of these races only growing in the coming years. "They are aiming to get the Holindale to Group 1 level. I'd love to win a Group 1 in our own backyard. “These races give horses a tremendous platform to head into the Spring and Autumn in Sydney and Melbourne. “I think the model they are using for Zaaki is one I’d love to copy next year,” said Grant Morgan.  ZAAKI was purchased by STUART BOMAN  Zaaki was a 150,000 guineas purchase by Boman under the Blandford Bloodstock banner from Tattersall’s 2020 Autumn Horses in Training Sale. He was purchased for British born trainer Annabel Nesham, and carries the colours of successful owner and breeder Carl Holt. Zaaki’s Holindale victory represented one of the softest wins of the race which has a sparkling honour roll. “I think you have to go back to a horse like in 1998 Might and Power to find a more dominant win,” said OnTrack’s Grant Morgan. “Whilst his winning margin was only 2.3 len, he appeared to have a huge amount in hand and he travelled so strongly in running and through the line. “The scary thing for his rivals are that he appears a horse better suited on firmer surface than he raced on last Saturday. “If he gets a top of the ground surface, he looks to be the best of good things in the Doomben Cup at Group 1 level,” said Morgan.  Stuart Boman (second from left) during the 2019 OnTrack Royal Ascot Tour. Newmarket trainer Sir Mark Prescott (far right of picture) |
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ONTRACK THOROUGHBREDS
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Racing & Bloodstock Consultants
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Email: bloodstock@getontrack.com.au