NEWS & EVENTS

LA Update 11 September 07

Tuesday, 11 September 2007 14:51

LA NEWSLETTER 10 SEPTEMBER 2007

Exciting filly Special Mission (Towkay-Te Akau Trek) made it three wins from three starts and her second consecutive stakes success with a two length win in last Saturdays Listed Carters-Gib Stakes over 1200m at Wanganui.

Whether it's in front and clearing out on a heavy track or as with Saturday's success, from midfield with a sustained burst of acceleration from the point of the home turn, the diminutive Towkay filly is a real professional.

A $70,000 private purchase by her first time owners Ralph and Francis Maxwell, the three-year-old this week opened up as pre post favourite for Novembers Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas.

A trait of the Towkay stock are their even temperaments ( inherited from dad of course) and it's something not lost on Special Missions trainer Mark Walker judging by his comment " She has got a great brain on her and reminds me of Rapid Kay, who is the only other Towkay I've had. " Rapid Kay was a stakeswinner and Group One placed from Te Akau Stables a couple of seasons ago: not a bad strike rate Mark.

Congratulations to Greytown farmer John Jury for his Wanganui Guineas victory with Fritzy Boy. John, who has supported Towkay with mares in the past, bred Fritzy Boy and his success is more testimony to the role rural breeders can continue to play in our industry.

Auckland breeder and LA client Brian Collins would have been smiling even before the All Blacks did the business on the Italians on Saturday night. In partnership with us, Brian owns the mare Auxere who hails from the family of Saturdays Flemington stakeswinner Pins on Parade and also that of Swick, a fast closing second in the competitive Group Three Bobby Lewis Quality later on the same card. Robert Roulston bought Auxeres first foal, a Towkay colt at this years Karaka Premier Yearling Sale. Auxere is not in foal but is currently under service to Towkay.

Keeping with performances in Australia, last Friday the LA reared Montaon (Montjeu-Flight Queen) relished the step to 2000m with a five length win in Victoria. He was an $80,000 purchase from our draft at the 2005 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale in 2005. Recently retired from breeding, Flight Queen now does a great job as matriarch for the younger broodmares here at the farm. A top racemare in her day and the dam of Group One winner Dress Circle, LA are currently breeding from two of her daughters; Kelly Flinn, in foal to O Reilly and visiting Towkay this season and Loose Lil, in foal to Pins, visiting Savabeel.

Charlie's (No Excuse Needed- Soneri) family continued a very good run in Australia of late with The Yartz (Carneige-Mayfair) winning in Victoria on Monday. With a record of 50 percent wins or placings from 24 starts, he's inherited the family trait of toughness and consistency. Congratulations to Don Gordon, who with astute matings has developed this successful family religiously over a number of years. Mayfair is a half sister to Soneri and has a Johar colt going to the Karaka 08 Sale. She is visiting Towkay this season.
Join us next week for news on recent foalings along with some LA bred runners for you to follow at the big Stoney Bridge Stakes meeting at Hastings. One in particular looks a great chance after a huge fresh up effort on the first day of the Kelt Capital Spring Carnival.

A distinguished history

Bryce Newman, Bulls Trainer