|
6.
Sunline Flys
in Tonight
|
18/8/2003 |
|
|
|
World
Champion mare Sunline will fly into Sydney tonight bound for a date with
Coolmore’s boom young stallion Rock of Gibraltar.
Sunline will be accompanied by her former co-trainer Steve McKee, who will also
travel with her to Jerry’s Plains, the location of Coolmore’s Hunter Valley
base.
Prior to loading Sunline onto her flight this afternoon in Auckland, McKee said
that Sunline had adapted well to her life away from the racetrack.
She’s (Sunline) mellowed out into a non-racetrack kind of mare, said McKee.
But when we put her on the plane she will probably think she’s going to the
races again.
The mating with Rock Of Gibraltar was devised following the demise of his sire
Danehill, who was originally earmarked as Sunline’s first beau.
After Danehill’s death, we decided to put her to Danehill’s best son in Rock
of Gibraltar, said McKee.
We’d also looked at Montjeu, Giant’s Causeway and Fusaichi Pegasus, but
decided to stick with Rock of Gibraltar.
With speculation of a potential $2 million yearling in the pipeline, McKee was
open minded with regard to the future progeny of the great mare.
Because we’ve still got the mare there isn’t any need to make a decision
either way, said McKee.
If she were to produce a nice colt it would be most likely we would but it in a
sale.
On the other hand if she has a filly or only a moderate colt, it would be more
likely that we would race.
McKee also revealed that Sunline’s waist line had increased a few sizes since
her retirement.
Her start of preparation weight was around 520kg, getting down to 505kg at her
peak, at the moment she’s 530kg and doing very well, said McKee.
She’d better like being a broodmare because she certainly isn’t going to be
racehorse again!
Rock Of Gibraltar will also make his first appearance at Coolmore this week, and
is currently in the final days of quarantine in Sydney.
Sunline heads an amazing list of Group One quality mares set to visit Rock of
Gibraltar this spring, with his book possibly the best first season grouping of
mares seen in Australian breeding history.
Mares set to visit Rock of Gibraltar this spring include:
Fitting (dam of Catbird), Isolda, Joy, Kensington Gardens, La Baraka, La Volta,
My Brilliant Star, One Under, Palatious, Palm Beach Deb (dam of Tempest Morn),
Pier (dam of Pontal Lass), Quays, Regal Kiss, Royal Purler, Shantha’s Choice
(dam of Redoute’s Choice), Skating, Starline, Tristalove, Beat the Fade and
Beaux Art.
|
