|
49.
Inglis Updates
|
13/08/2002 |
|
Fields of Omagh fires in comeback
Talented galloper FIELDS OF OMAGH (1999 Premier $50,000) made a scintillating return to racing at Flemington yesterday, capturing the time honoured Aurie's Star Handicap with a dashing display. The Tony McEvoy trained five year old had been sidelined with a suspensory injury since winning the VATC Eclipse Stakes Gr 3 last year, but showed not a hint of caution in his action as he stretched out to the line with confidence and enthusiasm.
The horse's successful return to competition is a credit to the staff at the McEvoy stable who were able to detect the suspensory problem at a very early stage.
"We noticed a slight difference to his leg and had it scanned immediately," McEvoy said. "The scan showed a small lesion and we sent him straight for a spell."
Fields of Omagh, by Rubiton from the good producer Finneto, seems destined to progress to weight-for-age company where he will clash with another of Rubiton's star performers, Rubitano. The pair have much in common, both being offered at the 1999 Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne where they fetched $55,000 (Fields of Omagh) and $95,000 (Rubitano).
Their race records also show similarities, both being lightly raced for five year olds, with Fields of Omagh boasting eight wins from 14 starts and $315,890, while Rubitano shades him with nine wins from 12 starts and $740,500.
Miss Primed for Magical Spring
The Aurie's Star Handicap also marked the return of last year's VRC Oaks heroine MAGICAL MISS (2000 Easter $520,000). The Bart Cummings trained mare was given a breather during the autumn carnival and her spirited finishing burst yesterday to grab fourth, suggests she is right on track to regain top form.
The Danehill (USA) mare is entered in the Cox Plate as well as both Cups and with the Cummings polish could give her sire his first ever win in the big spring Cups.
Rubitons for Breeze Up
Rubiton is in for a bumper spring with Rubitano and Fields of Omagh, plus flying filly Innovation Girl and smart mare Ruby Slipper, who is busting to win a good race once she gets clear of the shadow of Rubitano.
Breeze Up buyers will be pleased to note that we have three two year olds by Rubiton to be catalogued for the upcoming 2002 Australian Breeze Up Sale to be held at Newmarket on September 27th.
There are colts from Barrier Reef, first foal of a winning half-sister to stakes-winner Drop Anchor, by Last Tycoon (IRE); and Jade Nicole (NZ), half-sister to stakes-winners Kalimna Queen and Gold Dust by Imposing.
Also a filly from the Rancher mare Duchess Czar, from a prolific Victorian family of stakes-winners including Buona Sera, Sleep Tight and Miss Daybreak, the grand-dam of Group One winner Daybreak Lover.
Kattavia Proves Form of Macedon Lady
Smart gelding KATTAVIA made it three wins from six starts when he scored a comfortable win at Flemington yesterday, giving credibility to the form surrounding his last start conqueror, highly rated filly Macedon Lady (2001 Classic $22,000). She has been touted as an Oaks filly and it's certainly reassuring to see Kattavia come out and prove the form.
Kattavia was purchased by his trainer Leon MacDonald at the 2001 Sires' Produce Yearling Sale in Sydney for $46,000. The handsome chestnut gelding is by Grand Lodge (USA) from stakes-placed mare Kanacea (NZ), and was bred and offered for sale by Fairview Park Stud at Grose Wold, just west of Sydney.
Irish Spartacus Scores Group One Win
Danehill (USA) nailed the first European juvenile Group One event of the season, with the Aidan O'Brien trained colt Spartacus capturing the Phoenix Stakes from several of his more fancied stablemates.
The win by Spartacus has positive repercussions for a number of breeders in Australia, particularly Lee Fleming's Eliza Park Stud in Victoria, who stand the colt's full brother Johann Cruyff (GB) and Gerry Harvey's Baramul Stud who were lucky enough to purchase his half-sister Mantles Princess (GB) at the 2001 Australian Broodmare Sale for $180,000.
Mantles Princess (GB) was in foal to Desert King (IRE), a cover that resulted in a bay filly (now a yearling) and she is currently due to foal to Flying Spur. Her first foal, a Danehill (USA) filly who ranks as a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Spartacus, will be trained by Gai Waterhouse for prominent owner Yvonne Smith.
Tara Express Wins Quick Return for New Owners
At the recent Winter Thoroughbred Sale in Sydney the handy Bob Thomsen trained galloper Tara Express went under the hammer in the tried racehorse section fetching $35,000. The new connections have not had to wait long for a quick return, the four year old making a winning debut for the Mark Mason stable at Tamworth last Friday in the Quality Grains Open Handicap.
Zeltrice Going Places
Well bred mare ZELTRICE impressed many watchers with her facile victory over restricted mares at Randwick last Wednesday. John Hawkes has been most patient with the four year old and from just three starts she has been to the winners' circle twice.
Zeltrice was offered at the 2000 Australian Easter Yearling Sale by premier Kiwi nursery Cambridge Stud and was quickly snapped up by local breeders Hobartville Stud for $160,000. As her name suggests she's by Zabeel from Meltrice, a grand-daughter of champion three year old filly Toltrice, who was also trained by John Hawkes some thirty years ago.
Zeltrice has been nominated for the Caulfield Cup and it will be interesting to monitor her progress in coming weeks as she steps up in grade and distance.
|
