NEWS & EVENTS

LA Update 24 September 07

Wednesday, 26 September 2007 13:52

She may have lost her unbeaten record but Special Mission (Towkay - Te Akau Trek) lost few admirers, running second to Diamond Deck at Hastings on Saturday in the Group 3 Highview Stakes. Unable to find the fence from another difficult draw, she put the pressure on leader Satinka a long way out, collared last seasons Group 2 Matamata Breeders Stakes winner shortly after straightening, before getting run down late by the Octagonal filly.

Staying with Hastings, two LA bred mares also turned in most meritorious performances. Slow away (again!) Kay's Awake (Towkay-Wake Up Suzie) roared home late for second in the feature sprint, giving the winner 3.5 kgs. But surely the run of the day belonged to Earaheedy (Danasinga - Forest Dream) in the Open Handicap 2000m. Trapped wide for a substantial portion of the race, she was still only run down late for a close third. A lovely example of the thoroughbred, Earaheedy can land a nice staying handicap this summer, enhancing the value of her half brother by No Excuse Needed, foaled earlier this month.

Towkay four-year-old gelding Prime Target opened his account in Hong Kong last Wednesday night. Bred by Steve and Sharn Little from their Amyntor mare Lady of the Lake, Prime Target trialled up in NZ before been sold to Hong Kong without racing here.

The Yartz (Carneige-Mayfair) registered his seventh career win when scoring in Victoria on Sunday. The victory - his third this year - continues a most successful 12 month trot for progeny descending from Don Gordon's mare Secrecy. Yes that's right, for those of you reading our monthly newsletter, that's Charlie's immediate family.

Although only a barrier trial victory, possibly the performance highlight of the week came the news out of Australia on Monday that Pachanga (Redoutes Choice-Foxtrot), the LA bred and top priced filly at this years Karaka Premier Yearling Sale at $700,000, scored at Cranbourne over 800m for David Hayes. Foxtrot has a striking Savabeel yearling colt going to Karaka in 2008 and a Pins colt currently at foot.

Last Friday marked a pretty special day for Zed and LA with confirmation that the first two mares served by Zed scanned safely in foal. Even given such a strong server as Zed, with any new stallion you always eagerly await the results from the 16 day scan, so last Friday night we had a couple of glasses of Thomsons Trail, Sauvignon Blanc - www.thomsonstrail.com - to celebrate.

We look forward to bringing you more news next Thursday including the latest on LA bred horses lining up on Kelt Capital Stakes Day at Hastings.

Generous hospitality, warm friendly faces

Ben Petro, Wellington Breeder/Owner