Sacred Star in Glasshouse

Transcription

1 Sacred Star in Glasshouse The Tony Pike-trained Sacred Star lines up in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast tomorrow Cambridge trainer Tony Pike has been having a whale of a time in Queensland. Sacred Elixir (NZ) (Pour Moi) and Provocative (NZ) (Zabeel) provided Pike with a Group One double and a career highlight at Eagle Farm three weeks ago. At the same meeting Sacred Star (Flying Spur), a dual Group One winner in New Zealand, landed his second consecutive fifth placing in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap. The Raffles Thoroughbred Racing-owned five-year-old will have another chance at black-type in Saturday s Listed Glasshouse Handicap. I have kept him in Queensland because there is nothing in New Zealand for him at this time of year, Pike told The Courier-Mail. The Glasshouse looks a good race for him, it is certainly a significant drop back in grade. Vinnie Colgan retains the ride on Sacred Star and the pair will jump from barrier one. Depending on Saturday s result Sacred Star may have one more run in Australia this season in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton on July 13. Continued on page 3

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3 3 Sacred Star in Glasshouse (Continued from page 1) Amongst his competitors this Saturday is the Liam Birchley-trained mare Elusive Catch (NZ) (Elusive City) who finished runner up in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich two weeks ago. Elusive Catch is raced by All Black coach Steve Hansen, dairy farmer Grant McKenzie and his former trainer Sabin Kirkland. She won three races, including the Listed Champagne Stakes, in New Zealand for Kirkland before transferring to Birchley in May 2015 for whom she has won one and placed in three starts.

4 4 Wide draw no barrier for Puccini New Zealand Derby winner Puccini (NZ) (Encosta De Lago) lines up in the Listed Caloundra Cup on Saturday. Previously trained in New Zealand by Peter McKay, Puccini is now in the care of Victorian trainer Darren Weir. The rising six-year-old has had 11 starts for the Melbourne Cup winning trainer without a win, but did collect a second placing in the Gr.3 Premier s Cup at Doomben three starts ago. He ll just roll forward, I d say, that s when he runs his best races so he ll be able to do that on Saturday, Weir s racing manager Jeremy Rogers told ANZ Bloodstock News. Barrier 13 might not be the worst barrier for him because if he s drawn in he half misses the kick a bit and then he can start pulling. I d say he ll sit outside the leader or be in the first few anyway. He s honest and hopefully he can win a race for his New Zealand owners on Saturday. Puccini will jump from barrier 13 in the Caloundra Cup and will be ridden by Michael Cahill, replacing John Allen, who partnered Puccini to fourth in the Listed Ipswich Cup last start. Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman have Gesemi (NZ) (Ekraar) in the race, she finished sixth in last weekend s Group 3 Tattersall s Cup and will have a change of jockey with Jeff Lloyd picking up the ride. The Alistair Lawrence and John Rattray-raced Ekraar fiveyear-old is in Australia ahead of the breeding season. Also in the $176,600 feature is the John and Linda Wheeler-owned and Brian Smith-trained My Diamantine (NZ). The daughter of Eighth Wonder is having her second start in Smith s care having finished seventh at Eagle Farm in the Listed M Giles & Co Chartered Accountants open handicap last month. Amexed (NZ) (Pentire), a last start winner in benchmark 80 company for trainer Tony Gollan is the only other NZ-bred in the race. Puccini, pictured back in his New Zealand racing days, is looking for his first win for the Darren Weir stable in Saturday s Listed Caloundra Cup

5 5 NEWS IN BRIEF Foreign Prince on trial at 2400 metres Foreign Prince (NZ) (High Chaparral) will have a change of rider and a change of tactics for his first attempt at 2400 metres in the Winter Cup. Trainer David Payne has engaged senior rider Jason Collett for the Listed race. Because Foreign Prince is untried at the distance, Payne will also be hoping he can be ridden a little quieter rather than lead as he has in his recent 1800 and 2000 metre wins. I want to give him every chance to get the 2400 metres so I will be telling the stewards we don t want him to lead, Payne said. If the horse does prove he can get over the distance we will take him to Grafton. Foreign Prince s most recent win gained him automatic entry to the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 14 with the Winter Cup winner also gaining a ballot exemption. Marenostro to bounce back Trainer Chris Waller believes Marenostro (NZ) (Duelled) can bounce back from a disappointing sixth last start in Saturday s Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill. He was a touch disappointing last start, I think the weight and the 1600 metres tripped him up, said Waller. We re dropping him back in distance and he s already been successful on this track at this distance this season. The versatile five-year-old won at Rosehill over 1400m on a Good3 track in late May and again on a Heavy10 surface in early June. Kansas Sunflower out to break drought Trainer Luke Oliver is hoping Kansas Sunflower (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) can go one better than her recent string of runnerup finishes when the mare chases her first win in more than a year on Saturday. Kansas Sunflower is nominated for two Caulfield races and Oliver said she will run in the 1200m benchmark-90 for mares, with Craig Williams to ride. Kansas Sunflower finished second for the third consecutive time, in her most recent start at Bendigo, over 1300m and it was her fifth runner-up finish in 12 starts since she won at Flemington in April last year. We ve given her a bit of a freshen up since her last run (on June 2), Oliver said. Pin Your Hopes chasing back-to-back wins Pin Your Hopes (NZ) (Pins) is set to race on a quick back up at Caulfield, with connections hoping his recent return to winning form continues. A victory at Cranbourne on heavy ground last month was Pin Your Hopes first win since May After a Sandown placing he then produced a hardfought victory in a benchmark-78 over 1600m last Saturday at Pin Your Hopes (NZ) (Pins) Flemington after being headed in the straight. Pin Your Hopes is the early favourite for Saturday s Crown Golden Ale Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield where he is stepping up in grade and also slightly in distance. He s come through last Saturday s run quite well, co-trainer Simon Zahra said. He s backed up before and won. It was a reasonably quick back up of 10 days between races when he won last week. Zahra said the soft tracks were aiding Pin Your Hopes at this time of year and also he seems to be enjoying spending his days in one of the small paddocks he and co-trainer Matthew Ellerton have at their stables. Bally Heights (NZ) (Lord Ballina) Nelson hunts home track features Paul Nelson is a little cagey about whether he might possess the firepower to add to his feature jumps record at Hastings this weekend, but he admits his strongest hand is in the Te Whangai Romneys Hawke s Bay Hurdle. The Hastings trainer has won the Hawke s Bay Steeplechase three times through No Hero (NZ) (Herocity) in 2003 and 2005 and Just A Swagger (NZ) (Just A Dancer) in 2007, but just boasts one previous Hawke s Bay Hurdles win, with Ho Down (NZ) (Victory Dance) in Nelson will produce rising 14-year- old Bally Heights (NZ) (Lord Ballina) in Saturday s Animal Health Direct Hawke s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) as he attempts to become the first trainer to win the race on more than three occasions, while San Pedro (NZ) (Colombia) and Ooee (NZ) (Ruff Nipper) give him a strong hand in the Hurdle (3100m). Full story here. Danza Lad (NZ) (Woodbury Lad) Trainer sets lofty goal for hurdling newcomer Rudy Liefting has an ambitious plan in mind for his freshman jumper Danza Lad (NZ) (Woodbury Lad). The Pukekohe trainer produced the stakes winning flat performer for an impressive first-up success over the small fences at Te Aroha recently and he s not going to be afraid to pitch him in at the deep end. I ve been mulling it over and he ll probably have his next jumping start in the Grand National Hurdles if I can get him in the field, Liefting said. In the meantime, Danza Lad will head south to Hastings on Saturday for an open 2100 metre handicap. Full story here. Kevin Gray Gray closing in on milestone Kevin Gray is just two victories away from reaching 1000 New Zealand wins in his remarkable career. The Palmerston North trainer goes into today s Waverley meeting with 998 wins to his credit in New Zealand, accumulated continued on next page

6 6 NEWS IN BRIEF over the 36 years since he first took out his licence at 43. Gray, who worked closely with Copper Belt (NZ) (Gold Sovereign) during his time working for Brian Deacon and in more recent years has conditioned the likes of Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) and Legs (NZ) (Pins), says getting to 1000 wins is recognition for the hard yards he has done in racing over the years. It ll be a great thrill. There s not a great many trainers in New Zealand to have done it, said Gray, who turns 79 on Saturday. Full story here. Te Akau secure top lot Te Akau Stables Racing Manager Brad Taylor bid to $90,000 to secure the full brother to the stable s smart juvenile winner Gingernuts (NZ) (Iffraaj) in last night s gavelhouse.com June online auction. The New Zealand Bloodstock subsidiary has been running online auctions since April with this the third occasion it s hit the $90,000 mark with two Tavistock weanling colts making $91,000 and $96,000 respectively in previous months. Almost $200,000 was traded last night with sales still being made after the auction. Click here to view the results. Entries are now being taken for the site s next sale, to be held on 25 July. Cassie Anne (NZ) (Castelli) Step back in grade at Waverley for capable mare Talented mare Cassie Anne (NZ) (Castelli) will step out at Waverley today ahead of a return to stakes racing. The six-year-old has overcome a recent setback and she should welcome a drop in class when she runs in the Clarendon Hotel Rating 85. I was looking forward to the Tauranga Classic, but she got a stone bruise, New Plymouth trainer Tina Egan said. The sparingly-raced winner of four of her 29 starts, Cassie Anne s autumn campaign was all about black type with four consecutive appearances at the higher level. Major reward eluded her, but she did acquit herself well with fourth placings in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup and the Listed Flying Handicap, a fifth in the Listed Manawatu Anzac Mile and a last-start seventh in the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes. Lucky Tonight (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) Kiwis join forces in jumper s Australian debut Lucky Tonight (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) will have a change of rider when he makes his Australian debut on Sunday, but not with a jockey who is unfamiliar with the jumper. The Cambridge seven-year-old will be reunited with expatriate Kiwi hoop Richard Eynon, who will replace Michael Mitchell, in a 3800 metre steeplechase at Casterton in Victoria. Michael will be riding at Te Aroha so it s a bit unfortunate, but Richard is a lovely rider with nice, soft hands and he has ridden him before so I don t think I m losing anything, trainer Shelley Houston said. Eynon rode Lucky Tonight in his first hurdle start nearly two years ago when they finished fourth at Ellerslie. Full story here. Lisa Allpress Milestones loom for Allpress Lisa Allpress is now an unbackable favourite to win the national jockeys premiership, but a second title isn t the only milestone on her radar. The TAB has her at $1.01 to land the title with a lead of 12 wins over arch-rival Matt Cameron, with less than five weeks of the season remaining. She opened at $6.50 last August. The 41-year-old Wanganui mum of two is also poised to break her own personal record of wins in a season, currently sitting two short of her previous best season of 159 from I ve had an amazing season so far and enjoyed great support from owners and trainers the length of the country, Allpress said. Full story here. Taurus (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) Taurus chasing down winter features Taurus (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) will be kept on the fresh side in his chase for consecutive black type victories. The genuine wet weather performer won the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes on his home track at Wanganui earlier this month and he won t race again before the Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup at New Plymouth on July 23. He s come through his last run really well and we may give him a jump-out and he will definitely have a gallop between races at Wanganui (on July 7), most probably with Ginner Hart, said J. J Rayner, who trains Taurus with her father Evan. We ll just keep him ticking over and after Opunake we ll head to Riccarton. Taurus will be treading a familiar path as he was runner-up in both the Opunake Cup and the Gr.3 Winter Cup in 2013 and two years ago he finished sixth in both events. Rodrico sold to HK New Zealand-owned three-year-old Rodrico (High Chaparral) has been sold to Hong Kong interests. The son of High Chaparral, who was raced by Robin Peel-Walker and Mark Wyborn, will do his future racing out of John Moore s stable He will be aimed toward the 2017 Hong Kong Derby following his purchase by Johnson Chen, who won this year s edition with the Kiwi-bred Werther (NZ) (Tavistock). continued on next page

7 7 NEWS IN BRIEF Rodrico (High Chaparral) Rodrico was trained by Chris Waller to win three races and at his last appearance he finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby. New steward appointed Darin Balcombe has been appointed a stipendiary steward with the Racing Integrity Unit. Darin s experience and knowledge of the industry will be a real benefit to the organisation, RIU general manager Mike Godber said. Formerly the general manager of Trentham and Otaki for the RACE group, Balcombe will take up his new role on September 5 and he will be based in the central districts. Finalists announced for New Zealand Racing Awards Category finalists for the New Zealand Racing Awards have been announced. Champion Two-Year-Old: Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock), Luna Rossa (NZ) (Written Tycoon), Sacred Elixir (NZ) (Pour Moi), Xiong Feng (NZ) (Iffraaj). Champion three-year-old: Fanatic (NZ) (Shocking), Provocative (NZ) (Zabeel), Rangipo (Stryker), Risque (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi), Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock), Valley Girl (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) and Xtravagant (NZ) (Pentire). Champion Sprinter (up to 1500m): Ryan Mark (NZ) (Thorn Park), Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj), Xtravagant. Champion Middle Distance Horse (1501m-2100m): Addictive Habit (NZ) (Colombia), Julinsky Prince (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel), Turn Me Loose, Volkstok n barrell (NZ) (Tavistock). Champion Stayer (2101m and further): Benzini (Tale of the Cat), Jimmy Mac (NZ) (Zed), Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor). All finalists are eligible for the Horse of the Year title, which will be announced at the awards dinner on Sunday, August 7. Finalists for Jumper of the Year will be confirmed in July. Remembering our Hall Of Fame Heroes Sunline- NZ s mare of the world This wonderful mare captured the hearts of the public like few other horses in the post-war era. Tough-minded if not bloodyminded, she had a physique to match and was able to race competitively at the elite level in each of her six racing seasons. Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun) raced 48 times for 32 wins, nine seconds and three thirds and an Australasian record A$11 million in stakes. She raced in four countries and won in three; she twice won the Southern Hemisphere s weight-for-age championship, the Cox Plate (on the second occasion by a stunning seven lengths) and was narrowly beaten going for a third. She twice won the Doncaster Handicap, and was second on another occasion when conceding 6kg. At home, where her races were usually in preparation for another overseas campaign, she was unbeaten in seven starts. Sunline was twice elected Australian Racehorse of the Year and four times New Zealand Horse of the Year. CLICK TO PLAY

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9 9 Global NZ Bred Winners 23/06/ /06/2016 Australia Danroad : Forseen (NZ) (Swit by General Nediym) 2009; 23/06/2016, 1st Pinjarra RC Bunbury Motel & Apartments H. 1300m Sold by Anna Scott Racing Stables at Ready to Run Sale for $30000 Darci Brahma : Rapidus (NZ) (Rivertaine by Centaine) 2008; 24/06/2016, 1st Coff s Harbour RC Park Beach Bowls Club H. 2015m Sold by Little Avondale Stud at National Yearling Sale for $ Darci Brahma : About the Journey (NZ) (Dominant by Deputy Governor) 2008; 25/06/2016, 1st SAJC Ubet Hurdle 3100m Sold by The Oaks Stud at National Yearling Sale for $50000 Darci Brahma : Ekklestone (NZ) (Rapid Kay by Towkay) 2010; 25/06/2016, 1st Rockhampton JC Claude Green Memorial H. 1200m Sold by Little Avondale Stud at National Yearling Sale for $ Encosta de Lago : Esteban (NZ) (Nadege by Giant s Causeway) 2012; 23/06/2016, 1st Newcastle JC Tyrrell s Wines P. 2000m Sold by Regal Farm at Ready to Run Sale for $ Istidaad : Slowpoke Rodriguez (NZ) (Inspire by Shinko King) 2010; 23/06/2016, 1st Bendigo JC Bridge Hotel H. 2400m Sold by Seaton Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $9000 Keeper : Bonnie Belle (NZ) (Vannista Belle by Van Nistelrooy) 2011; 29/06/2016, 1st MRC Crown Golden Ale H. 1700m Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $75000 Mastercraftsman : Master of Arts (NZ) (Petit Verdot by Carnegie) 2011; 25/06/2016, 1st VRC Wimmera & Murray Mallee H. 2520m O Reilly : Innovate (NZ) (I m in Heaven by Volksraad) 2008; 26/06/2016, 1st Port Augusta RC Wilkatana Station H. 1200m Sold by Trelawney Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $ Pins : Pin Your Hopes (NZ) (Zarvana by Zabeel) 2009; 25/06/2016, 1st VRC Gippsland Region H. 1600m Sold by Lyndhurst Farm at National Yearling Sale for $ Road to Rock : Rock Mylady (NZ) (Myladys by Kingfisher Mill) 2011; 29/06/2016, 1st ATC Pro-Ride H. 1600m Sakhee s Secret : Finnegan (NZ) (Fifty Fifty by Justice Prevails) 2011; 24/06/2016, 1st Coff s Harbour RC Prostate Cancer Support H. 1415m Savabeel : Savatone (NZ) (Danbelle by Danske) 2012; 23/06/2016, 1st Bendigo JC National Hotel Motel H. 1400m Sold by Mapperley Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $ Savabeel : Nurse Kitchen (NZ) (Flying Monty by Montjeu) 2013; 28/06/2016, 1st Geelong RC Apco Service Station Maiden 2YO P. 1300m Savabeel : Syrahbeel (NZ) (Syrah by Traditionally) 2012; 28/06/2016, 1st Geelong RC Buxton Real Estate H. 1300m Sold by Trelawney Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $ Stravinsky : Firebird Flyer (NZ) (Margaux Belle by Kaapstad) 2012; 29/06/2016, 1st ATC TAB Rewards Maiden P. 1600m Swiss Ace : Shemai (NZ) (Katmai by Strategic) 2012; 29/06/2016, 1st MRC Ladbrokes Live Play H. 1000m Testa Rossa : Panno Rossa (NZ) (Belleza by Zabeel) 2010; 26/06/2016, 1st Tweed River JC Hornick Constructions Cup 1530m Thorn Park : Granite Belt (NZ) (Straight Eight by Danske) 2012; 23/06/2016, 1st Newcastle JC Easy Payroll Maiden P. 1350m Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $ Thorn Park : Spieth (NZ) (Stella Livia by Titus Livius) 2012; 25/06/2016, 1st VRC Goulburn Murray H. 1100m Sold by Trelawney Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $ HONG KONG Road to Rock : Fortune Road - Cheerful Boy (H.K.) (NZ) (Hanabananah by King Charlemagne) 2011; 26/06/2016, 1st HKJC Centurion Restaurant H. 1400m Sold by Highden Park at National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Sale for $30000 KOREA Nadeem : Chugje Hanmadang (NZ) (All in a Spin by Spinning World) 2013; 26/06/2016, 1st Seoul Class m Sold by Kiltannon Stables Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $65000 Sold by Little Avondale Stud at National Yearling Sale for $15000

10 10 Global NZ Bred Winners 23/06/ /06/2016 MACAU Castledale : Sharp Spear (NZ) (Latour by Honor Grades) 2008; 24/06/2016, 1st Macau Shunde H. 1200m Sold by Te Runga Stud at National Yearling Sale for $16000 Fully Fledged : Cheerful Fish (NZ) (Status Quo by O Reilly) 2012; 25/06/2016, 1st Macau Taishan H. 1000m Sold by N. Tanner at Ready to Run Sale for $42500 Sold by Fairdale Stud at South Island Yearling & Mixed Sale for $4500 Guillotine : Yanson (NZ) (Black Beauty by Black Minnaloushe) 2011; 25/06/2016, 1st Macau Dongguan H. 1200m Sold by Windsor Park Stud at Ready to Run Sale for $50000 Mastercraftsman : Lucky Today (NZ) (Montoya Lass by High Chaparral) 2011; 25/06/2016, 1st Macau Panyu H. 1200m Sold by Seaton Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $40000 O Reilly : Only Pearl (NZ) (Danadevi by Danehill) 2010; 25/06/2016, 1st Macau Shunde H. 1200m Sold by Phoenix Park at Ready to Run Sale for $47500 Sold by Beltana at National Yearling Sale for $20000 Shamoline Warrior : Horse of the Day (NZ) (Cent to Win by Centaine) 2012; 25/06/2016, 1st Macau Nanhai H. 1500m Sold by Diamond Lodge at Ready to Run Sale for $75000 Towkay : Wan Shi Sheng Yi (NZ) (Wake Up Suzie by Hereward the Wake) 2011; 24/06/2016, 1st Macau Panyu H. 1200m Sold by Bradbury Park at Ready to Run Sale for $23000 MALAYSIA Gonski : Impel (NZ) (Solaris by Desert Sun) 2009; 26/06/2016, 1st Selangor TC Kenilworth Cup 1100m Sold by Westbury Stud at National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Sale for $10000 Sold by Eqwine Farm at National Yearling Sale for $15000 SINGAPORE Elusive City : Preferred (NZ) (My Kindaway by Howbaddouwantit) 2011; 26/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Class 4 H. 1200m Sold by Maara Grange at National Yearling Sale for $37500 Guillotine : Lake Huka (NZ) (Royal Cashel by Royal Academy) 2011; 24/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Kranji D S. 1200m Sold by Windsor Park Stud at Ready to Run Sale for $40000 Handsome Ransom : My Brothers Keeper (NZ) (Mighty Myrtle by O Reilly) 2010; 24/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Class 4 H. 1400m Handsome Ransom : Really Capable (NZ) (Finissima by Fasliyev) 2012; 26/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Restricted Maiden S. 1400m Keeper : Let s Talk Now (NZ) (Finissima by Fasliyev) 2009; 26/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Class 5 H. 1200m Tale of the Cat : Hee s Ego (NZ) (Quatro by Rock of Gibraltar) 2011; 26/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Class 5 H. 1200m Sold by Blandford Lodge at National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Sale for $24000 Sold by Phoenix Park at National Yearling Sale for $ Swiss Ace : Spade of Ace (NZ) (Political Princess by Desert Prince) 2012; 26/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Restricted Maiden S. 1200m Sold by Westbury Stud at Ready to Run Sale for $27500 Keeper : Let s Talk Now (NZ) (Finissima by Fasliyev) 2009; 26/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Class 5 H. 1200m Tale of the Cat : Hee s Ego (NZ) (Quatro by Rock of Gibraltar) 2011; 26/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Class 5 H. 1200m Sold by Blandford Lodge at National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Sale for $24000 Sold by Phoenix Park at National Yearling Sale for $ Thorn Park : Mr Try (NZ) (Vettori Tycoon by Vettori) 2010; 24/06/2016, 1st Singapore TC Class 5 H. 1700m Sold by Diamond Lodge at Ready to Run Sale for $2000 Hawkeye : Mario Attila (NZ) (Keshava by Maroof) 2009; 26/06/2016, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1400m Mettre en Jeu : Lim s Mirage (NZ) (Epic Pulse by Epidaurus) 2010; 25/06/2016, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1600m Sakura Seeking : Stealth (Sing.) (NZ) (Larrikin Lady by Icelandic) 2002; 25/06/2016, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1400m Sold by Newmarket Lodge Stud at NZ National Yearling Sale for $14000