MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 Advertising/Editorial: [email protected] Syndicate hungry for more success after first Group One victory The winning connections of Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj) enjoy the birdcage presentation for Saturday’s Gr. 1 Sothys 2000 Guineas T he vagaries of fate, fortune and luck that played their part in introducing three Melbourne based friends to racing and breeding professional Lindsay de Souza just on four years ago paid a massive winning dividend at Riccarton on Saturday when their horse Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj) triumphed in the Gr. 1 Sothys 2000 Guineas. And while the partnership that now comprises seven members basks in the warm glow of their first success at the elite level, they are savouring the promise of more to come through a substantial investment in the New Zealand racing and breeding industry. De Souza first met friends Todd Hartley, Doug Painter and Paul Vawdrey, who are all involved in the trucking and transport industry in Melbourne, when they contacted him through the website of thoroughbred training establishment Riverend Park. “I had actually left Riverend Park when the guys tried to contact me but my name was still on the website and the people there gave them my number,” explained de Souza. “They were keen to get into the racing game and wanted to give it a decent crack so we talked about the options that were available and ended up forming a partnership where we each had a 25% share in the horses we bought. “As things developed Doug and Paul had three other friends in Jim Lark, Scott Brown and Jim Robertson who were also keen to get involved so we changed the mix to the original four holding 20% each and those three combine to hold the remaining 20% share. Continued on page 3 Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz 3 NZTM News MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 Syndicate hungry for more success after first Group One victory (Continued from page 1) “I had been a regular visitor to both the Yearling and Ready To Run sales at Karaka and we began to purchase horses from those sales and that’s where we found Turn Me Loose.” De Souza first saw the Iffraaj colt that was going through the 2013 Ready To Run sale of two-year-olds from George and Maryanne Simon’s Mana Park draft, when watching the presale breeze up video clips and immediately knew this was one they had to have. “He caught my eye so much watching his breeze up video and during the sale that I actually rang the boys and said this was one we just had to have,” he said. “They said go for it and get him for whatever it takes which actually turned out to be a lot less that what I figured it might. “I guess the rest is history but I can’t stress enough how fortunate we were to firstly buy him and now to have him become a Group One winner at just his sixth start is simply unreal.” The deeds of multiple Group One winner Dundeel had convinced the syndicate they wanted Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman to mentor the horse with de Souza fulsome in his praise of the duo. “Murray and Andrew had done a fantastic job with Dundeel so we were keen to get a horse with them and thankfully they agreed to take him,” he said. “They have been simply superb in the way they have brought him along as he can be a real handful but I think you saw on Saturday that he may have turned the corner as his racing manners were first class and that is a credit to the stable.” Saturday’s success has boosted the prospects of a future breeding career for the son of Iffraaj which is something the syndicate is keen to further as they expand their involvement in that side of the thoroughbred industry. “He has provided us with the first major success of our venture and I guess we will need to look carefully at where he goes now because of his potential value at stud,” noted de Souza. “That will most probably mean he will race in Australia at some stage to try and further those prospects but any decisions will be made in consultation with Murray and Andrew further down the track.” With the syndicate currently having horses with both the Baker/Forsman team and Shaune Ritchie at Cambridge they have also expanded into the breeding game with their five Danehill broodmares currently based at Auckland’s Haunui Farm. “Each of our mares is going to Iffraaj this season as we believe in that cross which has produced some phenomenal results to date,” said de Souza. “Iffraaj has had something like five Group One winners in the Northern Hemisphere and with Turn Me Loose now his first here we think he has a lot to offer and there is plenty of potential in those matings. “We said right from when we started we wanted to do this properly and the expansion of our racing and breeding interests has been a steady progression. “The result on Saturday is something you dream about and I guess what we are all thinking now is long may it continue!” New Zealand Racing Desk Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz 4 NZTM News MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 Left handed the key for Tomorrowland A return to his favoured left handed way of going at Te Rapa on Saturday was all that talented gelding Tomorrowland (NZ) (Fast ‘N’ Famous) needed to extend his winning record and set himself up for a tilt at further riches over the next few months. The speedy son of Fast ‘N’ Famous had disappointed in his most recent run at Ellerslie after a scintillating victory when fresh-up at Hastings, however trainer Danica Guy was confident he would make amends on the weekend. “His work since Ellerslie has been first class and I was pretty confident he could win on Saturday as he is a very good galloper,” she said. “He’s just not as good going the Ellerslie way around but we had to test him there early in this campaign as there has been talk of a tilt at the Railway Handicap on New Year’s Day and you don’t want to go in to a race like that not knowing if they can handle the track. “I think for now it is best to keep him going left-handed as that’s where he is most comfortable and there are still some pretty good prizes coming up that we can take a look at.” Those targets include the Gr. 1 Telegraph Handicap at Trentham although Guy is keen to keep her charge to his own grade for the time being. “I’ve had a look at the programme and there really isn’t much for him at this stage,” she said. “He will probably be at the top of the handicaps in a rating 75 race so we may look at the next grade up to get some weight relief but I don’t want to tackle an open handicap just yet as it would crucify him if he won it.” Guy was also delighted the horse was showing no ill effects of the pelvic injury that put a temporary halt to his career after he won in maiden company in March. “He fractured his pelvis and needed a month of box rest before he could start on some light work to start to get his muscle tone and base fitness back,” she explained. “Thankfully he has come back really well and hasn’t shown any signs of the injury bothering him at all. Speedy galloper Tomorrowland (NZ) (Fast ‘N’ Famous) returned to winning form at Te Rapa on the weekend “I think he can go a long way as he has always shown plenty so it would be nice to give him the opportunity to deliver on that promise.” New Zealand Racing Desk Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz 5 NZTM News MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 Curious coming of age at the right time for Alton T alented four-year-old gelding Curious (NZ) (Alamosa) made it three wins from his last four starts with a comfortable victory at Te Rapa on Saturday although trainer Gary Alton didn’t have much time to celebrate as he prepared for another important task that evening. Alton will produce the in-form Biologist (Danehill Dancer) for his toughest test to date in Wednesday’s Gr. 2 Couplands Bakeries Mile at Riccarton and was putting the finishing touches on his travel preparations shortly after the completion of racing on the day. “We didn’t have much time to savour the win on Saturday as I had to get Biologist ready for the float trip to Auckland as he was on a flight to Christchurch later in the night,” he said. “He travelled down there with a few of the other northern horses and made it to his base at Brian Court’s place at around 6am on Sunday morning. “All reports are he travelled well so we are happy with him at this stage and I’m confident he will put in a good showing.” With Biologist assuming the mantle of stable star following the retirement of multiple Group One winner Historian (NZ) (Choisir) last season, Alton is hopeful Curious can also make the jump to stakes level once he fully matures into his imposing frame. “He’s a big gangly sort and you can see the improvement he has made from his first campaign,” he noted. “We only raced him as a three-year-old because his owner, Graham Morgan, was in very poor health and were keen to get a win before he passed away but sadly he just wasn’t strong enough to do that. “During his winter spell he really strengthened up however I do think he is still at least six months away from his best. “A race like the Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie at Christmas might be something to aspire to with him as I think he will be best around that distance but we will play it by ear at this stage as this time next year might be when you see the very best of him.” New Zealand Racing Desk Curious (NZ) (Alamosa) on the outer goes down by a narrow margin on Livamol Spring Classic day at Hastings but has made amends with two victories since then. Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz 6 NZTM News MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 Sardaaj provides red hot Marsh stable with further success A fter a slow start Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is now reaping the rewards of the patient approach he adopted for the start of the current racing season. The win of three-year-old filly Sardaaj (NZ) (Iffraaj) at Te Rapa on Saturday was the 12th for the Marsh stable this season with eight of those coming in the last three weeks. “I said to my owners during the winter that we would take a patient approach to this season and to hopefully expect the team to be firing as we got closer to Christmas,” noted Marsh “I guess it’s easy to say those things but we didn’t want to be struggling around in the early spring when the tracks are still pretty wet which can undo any good work you may have done at that stage. “Thankfully it all seems to have come together brilliantly recently and I’m really excited about our prospects as we have a great mix of older established horses along with some very promising two and three-year-olds.” Included in that “promising” description is Iffraaj filly Sardaaj who maintained her unbeaten record on the weekend with a performance that indicated a step up to stakes company would not be beyond her in the coming weeks. “She has shown us plenty right from day one but that was a massive performance on Saturday as she had to work hard from the wide draw and then got taken on most of the way,” enthused Marsh. “To kick away and win like she did against the older horses was a super effort.” The filly raced in the ownership of the Geelong based Rosemont Stud for the first time on Saturday after she was sold by breeder Annette Antoniadis late last week with Marsh hopeful he will retain her in his stable for the foreseeable future. “The indications are she will head to Australia at some stage but I’m hopeful of keeping her for awhile longer as we are looking to take her on the same path as we did with Lucia Valentina last year,” he said. “Actually the race that Sardaaj won on Saturday was the same one that Lucia Valentina ran 6th in last year before she went on to win the Group Three Wellington Stakes and that is where we will head with this filly next.” Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel) won two of her first five starts for Marsh before being transferred to the Sydney stable of Kris Lees where she has now won at Group One level on two occasions and finished third in last month’s Gr. 1 Caulfield Cup. New Zealand Racing Desk Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh has another smart filly on his hands with the unbeaten Sardaaj (NZ) (Iffraaj) Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz Karaka 2015 Yearling Filming T S G + $150 Per ing l r a ye It PAYS to get your yearlings filmed! Please contact NZTM to discuss your yearling filming requirements... Phone: 07 849 7230 Email: [email protected] NZTM News 8 MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 Zedkaar comes out tops again Kiwi Lisa Allpress combines with Zedkaar (NZ) (Ekraar) for a determined success at Kranji A determined ride from Lisa Allpress saw Zedkaar (NZ) (Ekraar) overcome a bit of waywardness in the home straight to cross the line first in the $80,000 Super Easy 2011 Stakes, an Open Benchmark 74 race over 1600m at Kranji on Sunday. Settled at the tail-end in the small seven-horse field, Zedkaar commenced to travel through horses as the pack bunched up 1000m out when leader Eagle Storm (Danbird) stacked up the speed. Upon straightening Zedkaar quickly pounced to hit the lead but just as most thought the $12 favourite would put his rivals to the sword, he started to roll out under pressure and Eagle Storm began to show he was not a spent force hard up against the rails. More intrigue was tossed into the fighting pit when Board Walk (Student Council) rushed up with a sweeping run on the outside but Allpress was the one who had them covered as Zedkaar rallied to hold his two challengers safely at bay, scoring by 1 ¼ lengths from Board Walk while Eagle Storm wilted late to finish third another neck away. The winning time was 1min 35.31secs. “For once, he had a horse in front of him to bring him into the race,” said the Kiwi rider. “I was a bit worried when he hung out in the home straight, but he dug deep and won a nice race. “He’s a nice solid type of horse and can go further as well. He’s lightly-raced as they’ve looked after him.” Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world Continued on page 9 www.nztm.co.nz 9 NZTM News MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 Zedkaar comes out tops again (Continued from page 8) Trainer Michael Clements agreed that on breeding, the five-year-old son of Ekraar will stay, and even had the Longines Singapore Gold Cup (1600m) as a wild thought at one stage, but had all but put those grandiose plans on the backburner now. “This horse has kept improving. We space his runs, not because he has any issues, but just to give him more time,” said the Zimbabwean-born trainer. “On breeding, he’ll go further as well. We did think about the Gold Cup early doors, but his rating is too low and it hasn’t quite worked out, maybe next year.” Raced by New Zealand owner Graham Mackie of Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City) fame, Zedkaar has now chalked up a handy record of three wins and four placings from eight starts for prizemoney in excess of $160,000. Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz 10 B NZTM News MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 Many happy returns for both horse and trainer ack-from-surgery galloper My Brothers Keeper (NZ) (Handsome Ransom) sprang straight back to the winner’s circle first-up to give his trainer Stephen Gray a more than fitting birthday present on Sunday. Celebrating his 50th birthday, Gray thought his best chance of a present among his five runners, would be Bhaskara (Shaft) in the second race, but after the second-race starter ran second, the Kiwi trainer could still look back fondly on the big party his relatives and friends threw for him to usher in his big 5-0 the night before. It was longshot My Brothers Keeper, who was making his return from a throat surgery, that made sure Gray would not go home empty-handed. “That will help pay for the party!” said Gray jokingly before giving due credit to the right people on a more serious note. “He’s always been a very good horse, but he recently had wind surgery after his last race, and all credit must go to Dr Dan Shaw who was using a new surgery technique for “roarers” only for the second time. “This horse was a roarer but he wasn’t completely over it and we’ve trying to hold it together for as long as we could. “He was first-up today and we didn’t expect him to win, but he had come through his operation well and we were hoping he could put in a good run today.” Brown, who was at his first sit aboard My Brothers Keeper, paid tribute to the team behind the successful comeback of the horse partly-owned by Gray and South African couple, the Bachers. “Steve’s done a good job with this horse given the wind problem he had. He’s come back 100%,” said the Australian hoop. “He’s a nice enough sort of horse and he was very genuine in the home straight. Happy Birthday Steve!” My Brothers Keeper has now scored two wins from nine starts for stakes earnings just a tick under $100,000 for his connections. My Brothers Keeper (NZ) (Handsome Ransom) provides ex-pat kiwi trainer Stephen Gray with a fitting birthday present on Sunday Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz NZTM News 11 MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 NZ STALLION AWARDS The Centaine Award STALLIONS The Dewar Stallion Trophy EARNINGS STALLIONS Savabeel EARNINGS O’Reilly $3,393,218 $2,442,668 Savabeel $3,009,421 Zabeel $1,901,105 Zabeel $2,266,850 O’Reilly $1,808,270 Pins $1,894,629 Captain Rio $1,055,086 Elusive City $1,748,648 Thorn Park $991,385 Darci Brahma $1,459,964 Pentire $964,652 Keeper $1,432,894 Yamanin Vital $926,555 Thorn Park $1,431,192 High Chaparral $884,353 Captain Rio $1,300,646 Iffraaj $718,344 Pentire $1,275,427 Pins $714,200 Criteria: Sire whose progeny have accumulated the highest combined stakes earnings in Australia & New Zealand Criteria: Sire whose NZ-conceived progeny have accumulated the highest stakes earnings worldwide The Grosvenor Award STALLIONS EARNINGS BEST PERFORMERS Turn Me Loose EARNINGS Iffraaj $600,825 $311,000 O’Reilly $513,655 O’Marilyn $87,500 Savabeel $437,120 Costume $156,250 Keeper $420,793 Kuzanov $37,375 Pins $416,745 Karla Bruni $64,375 No Excuse Needed $384,212 I Do Darci Brahma $377,785 Mighty Solomon $41,935 Thorn Park $270,570 Ryan Mark $75,000 Zed $267,225 Wee Biskit $66,350 Bachelor Duke $221,130 Shuka $55,000 $224,750 Criteria: Leading Sires by Earnings in New Zealand Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz NZTM News 12 MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 NZ Bred Winners IN HONG KONG NOVEMBER 9 Horse & Breeding BREEDER RACE Sales Details SECRET AGENT (NZ) 2010 by Sakhee’s Secret (GB) out of Jan Valachi by Kingdom Bay K J Hickman; Canterbury; NZ HKJC L’Oreal Paris H. 1200m. 2012 National Yearling Sale - Select Session; V: Valachi Downs, P: N Tiley; $42,500 SHINING CHAMPION (NZ) 2010 by Thorn Park (AUS) out of Catalina Lady by Flying Spur (AUS) Mrs J Broome; Waikato; NZ HKJC Elizabeth Arden H. 1200m. 2012 National Yearling Sale - Select Session; V: Brighthill Farm, P: John Foote BStk; $35,000 PLANET CHOICE (NZ) 2010 by Coats Choice (AUS) out of Chimalis by Chief Bearhart (CAN) Mrs A M & J F Bruford; Auckland; NZ HKJC Revlon H. 1000m. STAR TRACK (NZ) 2010 by Starcraft out of Lady Twain (AUS) by Flying Spur (AUS) W Schwarzenberg; Waikato; NZ HKJC Dr G H. 1200m. ISHVARA (NZ) 2010 by Coats Choice (AUS) out of Asiana by Kaapstad M K Mullane; Auckland; NZ HKJC Kate H. 1400m. 2012 National Yearling Sale - Select Session; V: Rich Hill Stud, P: Shailer Tbreds; $20,000 Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz NZTM News 13 MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2014 NZ Bred Winners IN SINGAPORE NOVEMBER 7 Horse & Breeding BREEDER RACE Sales Details HEE’S FORTE (NZ) 2011 by O’Reilly out of Dita von Teese by Pins (AUS) Waikato Stud 2001 Ltd; Waikato; NZ Singapore TC Rst Maiden S. 1200m. 2013 National Yearling Sale - Select Session; V: Waikato Stud Ltd, P: LK Laxon; $25,000 HORAZ SAMOSIR (NZ) 2009 by Thano (Arg) out of Zalo by Desert Sun (GB) Swift Gallops Ltd; NZ Singapore TC Maiden S. 1400m. AFFLECK (NZ) 2011 by Battle Paint (USA) out of Greenstone by Green Perfume (USA) Chequers N.Z. Ltd; Waikato; NZ Singapore TC More Magic 3YO Championship Sgp-3 1600m. NZ Bred Winners IN SINGAPORE NOVEMBER 9 Horse & Breeding BREEDER RACE ZEDKAAR (NZ) 2009 by Ekraar (USA) out of Zedcar (AUS) by Zeditave (AUS) Mrs P A Dunell; Auckland; NZ Singapore TC Super Easy S. 1600m. MY BROTHERS KEEPER (NZ) 2010 by Handsome Ransom (AUS) out of Mighty Myrtle by O’Reilly W J Bloodstock Ltd; Central; NZ Singapore TC Ace Aliado S. 1200m. BRAVO (NZ) 2009 by Handsome Ransom (AUS) out of Feel On (AUS) by Encores P Setchell; Waikato; NZ Singapore TC Always Fast S. 2200m. Flyinggold – BRIGHT GENERAL (Sing.) (NZ) 2010 by Sakhee’s Secret (GB) out of Beauty Queen by Keeper (AUS) G A Shand; Waikato; NZ Sales Details 2011 Ready to Run Sale; V: Posa’s Lodge, P: Mr B McDonald; $38,000 2011 National Yearling Sale - Festival Session; V: Oxford Thoroughbreds Ltd, P: Mr CA Gately; $10,000 Singapore TC Exaggerate S. 1200m. DATA PROVIDED BY: The New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing Team 12 Sir Tristram Avenue, Te Rapa, Hamilton, New Zealand Phone: +64 7 849 7230 Fax: +64 7 849 1687 Email: [email protected] Proudly promoting the NZ-bred to the World. Proudly promoting the New Zealand thoroughbred to the world www.nztm.co.nz
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