NEWS & EVENTS
Group Three For Towkay
The good track at Tauranga on Saturday made all the difference to High Octane (Towkay-Trendy and True) when he dead heated for first in the WFA Group Three Platinum Homes Tauranga Stakes over 1600m at Gate Pa . A great result for trainer Gregor Robson who has always maintained his charge only needed a decent track to confirm the reputation gained last season through wins in such races as the Duoro Cup.
Results this last week by progeny of Zabeel stallions I Conquer and Colombia give supporters of our first season sire Zed every reason to look optimistically to success on the racetrack with their progeny in coming seasons - Columbia had Bringbackthebiff run second in the Group 2 NZ Cup while Jovial Jock won the R90 2500m later on the same card with 58kgs. Benelli, second in last Wednesdays Group Two Couplands Bakeries Mile is a son of I Conquer - That confidence is further justified given that all three stallions descend from vaunted matron Eight Carat. What his closely related half brothers don t have however in their pedigrees is the influence of the mighty Danehill. Through his dam, the group one winning Danehill mare Emerald Dream, we feel Zed has the potential to transmit that Danehill precocity and speed. Zed will serve 140 mares this season and his fertility has been excellent.
The Arthur and Mick Ormond bred Rios (Hussonet-Gussy Godiva) lost few admirers with his effort for third in the Group One NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on Saturday. Sold by us on Mick and Arthur's behalf as a yearling, the colt had to race three wide for the first half of the race, but never shirked the issue in the straight despite been under pressure on the home turn. He was taking ground off winner The Pooka and runner up Alamosa again at the line. We are delighted to offer Rios's half brother by Volksraad at the Karaka Premier Yearling Sales this January on behalf of the same connections.
On the subject of wide draws and gutsy runs, Belcentra ( Bel Esprit-Centra Rainbeam) may have only been 6th in Saturdays Group Two Sandown Guineas in Melbourne but it was a performance worthy of a lot better result. Sent out favourite - the sole filly in the race - she was trapped three wide without cover the entire trip and then got galloped on behind by a breaking down runner into the home straight. Already a listed winner she looks a filly of genuine class for the Freedman stable. This is exciting news for LA and our young broodmare Ashley Downs, a half sister to Centra Rainbeam. You won t be able to wrest the smile of Sam's face when he talks to you about Ashley Downs second foal, a striking Towkay colt that the stud takes to Karaka Select after Christmas.
Over in Victoria, Ernie's Mate (Bertolini-Timamou) won easily on debut over 1100m and Ballistic Ruler (Towkay-Ballistic) scored over 1400m. Sold on behalf of our long-time client Lorraine Jameson, Ernie's Mate was a $40,000 sale to Aquanita Racing at the 2005 Karaka Select Yearling Sale. And Towkay started a good weekend for himself with Swift Strong (Towkay-Cajun Affair) scoring over 1400m in Singapore on Friday night.