Turf Connect

13/07/2024

Nedwin takes his second Wellington Hurdles
By Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Topweight Nedwin showed there is simply no quit in his make up as he unleashed an outstanding finishing burst to capture his second Metroclad Limited Wellington Hurdles (3200m) at Trentham.
Supporters of the Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal stable had two options to choose from in the race and many put their faith in up and comer Taika, who started a $2.20 favourite in the contest, ahead of his stablemate ($7.60) with the Kevin Myers-trained Invisible Spirit splitting the pair at $5.
Nedwin was burdened with 73kgs, six-and-a-half kilograms more than his nearest rival and despite Nelson providing some encouragement when noting he was coming into form, he looked a forlorn chance as the two favourites did battle out in front throughout the early stages of the contest.
Coming to the home turn, Nedwin looked to be struggling five lengths behind the leading pair, however rider Jay Kozaczek refused to give in as he urged Nedwin to close on the leaders which he began to do noticeably with two hurdles to clear.
Nedwin had a full head of steam as he strode over the final obstacle and raced away to record his seventh victory over hurdles ahead of Invisible Spirit who shaded Taika for second.
Nelson was understandably emotional after the win by the nine-year-old son of Niagara.
“With that weight I didn’t give him a show against Taika as I thought he would be struggling,” Nelson said.
“It has taken a while, and we knew we were a bit behind (in his preparation) early on, but we have him right now.
“This is very exciting for our winter followers, and we take a lot of pleasure out of that.
“Taika is still only a young horse, who has only won two races, but he will keep.”
Kozaczek was in awe of the fighting qualities of his mount.
“That was amazing,” he said.
“He just kept finding and we had those two to aim for.
“They ran along strongly and maybe too quick as it is very sticky, but he just kept finding.
“I was squeezing him along and he got there.”
Bred by Tom Lowry, who sadly passed away recently, Nedwin is owned by Nelson and his wife Carol along with Mick and Suzie Gardner with the gelding having now won seven races over hurdles along with another six on the flat and over $374,000 in prizemoney. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

13/07/2024

The Cossack conquers Wellington Steeplechase
By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
There was a sense of unfinished business for The Cossack heading into Saturday’s Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham and the star jumper delivered a faultless performance to collect another major crown for Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal.
After claiming all there was on offer in the hurdle scene, The Cossack transitioned into steeplechasing last season and was a leading hope to claim the iconic figure-eight feature, before being severely hampered by a fallen runner late in the race and eventually finishing third behind West Coast.
The son of Mastercraftsman resumed this year in winning fashion taking out a second Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa in June, and the stable sought redemption returning to Trentham where he would stand alone carrying the 73kg top-weight.
Starting a $1.50 favourite, The Cossack settled straight into his work navigating the unique course under Hamish McNeill, who allowed the ten-year-old to sit close to the speed controlled by Izymydaad.
After negotiating the double for the final time, The Cossack swept to the lead and set a stern challenge for the remainder of the field, and as they reached the course proper, up-and-coming talents Afterallthistime and Auld Jock loomed as the main dangers.
The chasing pair cleared the last behind The Cossack and fought on valiantly, but the favourites class prevailed as he cantered across the line a half-length ahead of a storming Auld Jock, with Afterallthistime a further 3 ¼ lengths adrift in third.
McNeill was in awe of the ten-year-old after the marathon jumping contest.
“I was a passenger, he had a heap of fun,” he said.
“He jumped out of the gates, and he wanted to travel today, he made his mind up that Izymydaad wasn’t going to get too far in front of him and he trucked the whole way.
“He gave me an unbelievable feel and he sprinted when he turned for home as well, he’s kept them all at bay. He’s heard them and pinged the last well, and it was over and done with after that.
“Jumps racing is actually thriving at the moment, we’ve got a lot of lovely animals going around and we’re getting the numbers.
“We’re starting to get some new boys (jumps jockeys) in the country and today’s racing has been perfect, you can’t tell me you’re disappointed watching this kind of racing so it’s great.”
The Northern-based hoop also guided a very promising type in Al’s Red Zed to victory for the stable in the opening event, the Norm Bevan Memorial Maiden Steeplechase (4000m), while it was Jay Kozaczek in the saddle when Nedwin collected Nelson and McDougal’s fifth-straight Metroclad Limited Wellington Hurdles (3200m) earlier on the card.
“It has been a wonderful day and probably a bit of a pay back from last year, because we had quite a lot of bad luck that day, so we’ll take it,” Nelson said.
“He (The Cossack) knows where the line is and that’s the main thing.
“He’s just got to carry on, we know he’ll get 73 (kilograms) and the others will get a bit off him, and I don’t know how much further we’ll go. You can keep going to the well a bit too often, but we’ve spaced his races to try and make it easier on him.
“I always go back to No Hero, he won eight steeplechases in a row, but this horse has done it hurdling and now he’s doing it steeplechasing, so we’ll just enjoy it.”
Bred by Ivan Grieve, The Cossack is out of a Galileo mare Stellardelmar and has won 19 races from 60 starts, 15 of those success coming over fences. The gelding has earned the lion’s share of his $690,641 in stakes while in the ownership of Nelson, John Frizzell and Doug and Peter Grieve. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

12/07/2024

Resurgent Shamus heads Ruakaka team for Murdochs
By Richard Edmunds, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Moira and Kieran Murdoch will have runners in three of the $60,000 ITM/Gib Winter Championship Finals at Ruakaka on Saturday, including a recent recruit who appears to be back on top of his game.
Shamus was previously a six-time winner up to Group Two level for New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock, who suggested he move to the Murdochs for a change of scenery earlier this year. Fifth and fourth in his first two appearances for his new stable, the Shamexpress gelding returned to his best form with a bold last-start win in the Northpine Waipu Cup (1400m) at Ruakaka on June 29.
Shamus will line up in the ITM/Gib Sprinters’ Winter Championship Final (1400m) over the same course and distance on Saturday.
“It was a very pleasing performance from Shamus last start,” Murdoch said. “He ran really well that day. Claiming 2kg off his back obviously made a big difference, and I think he appreciated the drier track too.
“He’s been ticking over really nicely since that race. We’ll head up there again on Saturday and see how he goes. It’s a better field this time, but you’d expect that for a final. We’re happy with the build-up that he’s had.”
Shamus was ridden to his last-start success by Ace Lawson-Carroll, who will switch from friend to foe on Saturday and will instead partner Malt Time for his employers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy.
“We’ve had to find a replacement because Ace is obviously committed to Malt Time, but I think we’ve got a good replacement in Triston Moodley,” Murdoch said. “He’s riding well and can claim 3kg.”
The TAB rates Malt Time a $2.50 favourite for Saturday’s feature sprint, with Turn The Ace at $4, Master Brutus at $4.60 and Shamus at $7.50.
The Murdochs’ representative in the ITM/Gib 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m) is the promising Full Noise.
The son of Turn Me Loose kicked off his career at Te Rapa on May 18, where he finished a close fourth over 1100m. Both of his subsequent starts have been at Ruakaka, where he found the line well for third placings behind the unbeaten Dan Vegas on June 8 and June 29.
With Dan Vegas absent from the line-up for Saturday’s 3YO Final, the TAB rates Full Noise a $5 equal favourite alongside Tide And Time.
“All of his runs have been full of merit,” Murdoch said. “He seems to be improving with each run.
“I’ve been very happy with him since his last race, and I think that the step up to the mile on Saturday will suit him.”
The other runner at Ruakaka on Saturday for the Murdochs is Loose Change in the ITM/Gib Progressive Winter Championship Final (1600m) – a race for horses with no more than one win at nomination time.
Loose Change is still a maiden after 17 starts, but he has recorded six placings and produced an eye-catching finish for fifth at Ruakaka two weeks ago.
“Although he’s still a maiden, he’s run a number of very good races,” Murdoch said. “He drew the second-from-outside gate last time, so we decided to ride him quietly and he came home extremely well. He’s drawn better this time (gate seven), so hopefully he can settle a little bit closer and still produce that big finish.”
Loose Change is rated a $9.50 chance in a market headed by The Exponent ($3.90), Awhina ($5.50) and Talentoso ($6). – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

08/07/2024

Kozzi Korea bound
By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ New Desk
Jockey Kozzi Asano is set to take an exciting next step in his career when he heads to South Korea in the coming months to take up a riding contract with the Korean Racing Authority (KRA).
“I have got a license granted to go over and ride in Korea, but I am undecided how long I will go for,” Asano said.
“The prizemoney in New Zealand is going up at the moment but I also wanted to experience overseas, so I am looking forward to it.”
The 29-year-old Japanese native has been riding in New Zealand for eight seasons, posting 335 wins, 20 of those at stakes level, and earned more than $9.3 million in prizemoney.
During his time in New Zealand, Asano struck up a good friendship with compatriot and former New Zealand jockey Masa Tanaka, who urged Asano to join him in South Korea.
“Masa Tanaka is a good friend of mine and he is over there,” Asano said. “I am always chatting with him and he mentioned that there might be a (jockey) position available (in South Korea).”
Asano has yet to visit South Korea, but said he is looking forward to riding in the Asian racing jurisdiction. He will base himself in Seoul and said one of the biggest upsides in the move is the reduced travel required in comparison to New Zealand.
“I haven’t been there, I have only watched them (Korean racing) on Trackside, and I have watched a lot in the last two months or so,” he said.
“I am going to base myself in Seoul. There are only two or three tracks in Korea, so there is no travelling compared to New Zealand.
“I do appreciate the opportunity. I will see how it goes, but I can always come back.”
Asano will leave New Zealand later this month with his wife, Adele, and five-month-old son, and spend some time in his homeland with friends and family before they make their move to Korea.
“I am going to have a holiday in Japan later this month,” he said. “I haven’t been home for seven years so it will be good to catch up with my friends.”
Asano has recorded 64 wins this term and is hoping to add to that tally before he heads offshore.
“I am satisfied that I have ridden more winners than last season,” he said. “I have had support from a lot of stables. I am doing my best and travelling as much as I can.”
As for his offshore move, Asano is excited about what awaits him in South Korea.
“I don’t know what to expect, but it will be a great experience,” he said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

06/07/2024

Grove Street gets Ferrando off the mark
By Richard Edmunds, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
First-season sire Ferrando was credited with his first winner when Grove Street led all the way for an upset victory in Saturday’s Sign Central 2YO (1100m) at Hastings.
Saturday’s $35,000 two-year-old sprint was the third career start and first for more than seven months for Grove Street. His previous appearances produced fifth placings behind the impressive Te Akau Racing winners About Last Night and Maracatu.
Grove Street was sent out as a $27 outsider on Saturday and dominated the race from the front.
The Team Rogerson gelding jumped quickly from the extreme outside gate, and jockey Leah Hemi drove him forward and slid across to the rail.
First-starter Honey Badger loomed ominously on his outside at the home turn and was poised to run straight past him, but Grove Street lifted and found more and more down the Hastings straight. At the end of a head-bobbing battle through the final 50m, Grove Street clung on to win by a nose.
“I watched his previous races and saw that he could ping out of the gates, so I was quite confident that he would be able to get to the front within a few strides,” Hemi said.
“He’s very professional. The Rogerson team do a great job with their horses, and I was fortunate to get on this one today.”
It was a big result for Graeme Rogerson, who co-trains, bred and part-owns Grove Street.
Rogerson also trained and co-owned Ferrando during a 27-start career that produced eight wins, six placings and more than $270,000 in stakes. He won the Gr.3 Mr Tiz Trophy (1200m) and Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) and was a two-time placegetter in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m).
Grove Street now tops the list of Ferrando’s first-crop juveniles. The Fast ‘N’ Famous stallion is also the sire of Zorro’s Revenge, who is still a maiden but placed in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe in May.
Ferrando himself was unraced as a two-year-old, and Rogerson said this week that he expects his progeny to continue to improve as they get older.
“Grove Street is learning all the time, and he’s a typical Ferrando – they’re not really two-year-old types,” he said. “They’re also looking more like stayers than sprinters, which I’ve found hard to believe.
“I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to with his progeny next season. We’ve got half a dozen of them that look really good. Zorro’s Revenge placed in the Champagne Stakes in the autumn, and he came back into the stable this week. We’re going to aim him at the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), and then I think he’s a lovely prospect for the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m).
“Skymax is another one, she got home really well for fourth at Ruakaka the other day. She’ll go out for a spell now and will come back better at three.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

06/07/2024

Pacheco maintains unbeaten hurdle record at Te Rapa
By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Capable flat performer Pacheco continued to make a serious impression as a jumper in the TAB Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
With the advantage of former Champion Jump’s Jockey Shaun Phelan as his trainer, Pacheco transitioned into jumps racing with ease at the venue last month when winning a maiden contest.
Moving into 0-1 company, a two-horse race was tipped between Pacheco ($3.50) and fellow last-start winner Mont Ventoux ($2.50), and after jumping away well the son of Makfi settled quietly in fourth under Jay Kozaczek.
Run Jakko Run controlled proceedings through the mid-stages before Mont Ventoux took over and made his claim for back-to-back wins turning for home. Pacheco soon hunted him down and a polished jumping display in the home straight had him drawing away to win by 2 ½ lengths at the post.
Phelan was represented by Elen Nicholas on-course, who was complimentary of Kozaczek’s efforts on the six-year-old.
“It was an excellent ride from Jay, he just tucked him away and was so calm and collected,” she said.
“It was nice to see him do that as he is a strong horse and can run a bit freely, so it was good to see him on the rail and switching off.
“Shaun’s put a lot of work into schooling him, but he’s quite natural as well. You can only teach them so much as they have to have some natural ability to take them the rest of the way.”
The victory was Kozaczek’s second from just six rides since joining the Kiwi riding ranks last month and came close to adding another aboard Captains Run in the 0-1 steeplechase later on the card.
“He (Pacheco) jumped well and I couldn’t pull him up, he’s got a lot more to offer,” Kozaczek said.
“Shaun does a lot with them so they are all spot on and safe as houses.
“It (his time in New Zealand) has started off amazing, I’ve only been here for three weeks and rode another winner now so I’ll just keep cracking on. I came over here looking for opportunities because I was struggling back home and I’m loving it.”
Bred by Kevin Hickman, Pacheco was purchased for $10,000 by part-owner Thomas Nicholson from gavelhouse.com in 2021 and increased his stakes earnings to just shy of $100,000 with five wins from 24 starts. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

01/07/2024

By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Pam Gerard is hoping to finish her final term in partnership with Michael Moroney on a high over the coming month, kicking off with a small team at Rotorua on Wednesday.
Gerard has been at the helm of the Matamata stable since 2016 and the pair have celebrated their best season to date with 32 winners, the latest being promising stayer Mineshaft at Ruakaka last Saturday.
The Merchant Navy four-year-old relished the step-up over ground, ridden patiently by Kelly Myers at the back before powering through the field to score by 1-½ lengths, the third success in his last six starts.
“He’s a horse that just likes to find his feet early, and we probably rode him a little bit handier than he was used to in the wet track at Te Aroha the start before,” Gerard said.
“When he races in amongst the field he can be a bit competitive, and when we took him down to Wellington and tried him in the Remutaka Classic he led up and that wasn’t quite the right thing to do.
“He’s a pretty laidback type so he just likes to potter away, but he’s got a pretty nice turn of foot. He was really good on the weekend.”
Gerard is now contemplating whether Mineshaft will return in a fortnight for the ITM/GIB Finals in the north, with a strong line-up likely on the better track conditions.
“We’re still tossing up but at this stage I’d say we probably will go up there, it will be interesting to see how he measures up in a good field over ground,” she said.
“He does always seem to go better on the fresh side though, so no decision has been made yet.”
Turning her focus to the Arawa Park meeting, Gerard’s contingent include Tarzana, a Tarzino half-sister to On The Rocks, her first Group One winner in 2019. The filly finished a narrow second on debut at Hawera and will be chasing her breakthrough victory in the MacMillan Accountants 3YO (1215m).
“She was super at Hawera, we went down there trying to get an easy kill and she came up against a very nice horse,” Gerard said.
“She’s had a bit of a freshen-up and we’re very happy with her work. I don’t think she’s a true wet-tracker so we’ll keep an eye on the weather, but she’s pretty easy to ride anywhere so she should jump out of the gates and put herself there.”
Mood Painter and Juwala have made positive returns at the trials and will resume in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1215m) and The Graham Brown & Co Julie Tribute Race (1400m).
“I think she (Mood Painter) will be hard to beat, she’s flying in her work and went well in her trial. She’s come back mentally a lot more mature this time,” Gerard said.
“Juwala was super at the trials, he’s taken a wee while to make but I think he’s pretty much on the mark now. He’ll be another that is hard to get past as long as the track doesn’t get too wet, but if it does, we’ll be happy to wait for him.”
Complacent four-year-old Presuming will make his debut in the Greenlight Insurance Brokers (1215m) after trialling smartly in the heavy conditions at Rotorua in mid-June.
“He’s just taken a bit of time but trialled up really well and the wet track won’t worry him. 1200m is probably a bit short for what he needs, but he can go pretty hard so we’d like him to settle back and run home,” Gerard said.
With plenty of exciting young talent and returning performers, Gerard is looking forward to the coming season with the likes of Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) winner Savaglee, and Harlech, who had a successful campaign in Canterbury concluding in an Easter Cup (1600m) success.
“Savaglee has grown a little bit and is a lot more even, he’s pretty much up to the mark and will trial in August before those early three-year-old races,” Gerard said.
“Harlech will return back to work and have a prep doing a few different things, then he will head back down to Christchurch for the summer.
“The business changeover starts today, but Mike is on board until the end of the season. I’ve got some big shoes to fill and it is a bit daunting, but it’s pretty exciting and fingers crossed we can get a good start to the season.
“We’ve got a lot of nice young horses, so we’ll be trying our best to keep the Ballymore name up to the mark.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

28/06/2024

Former top three-year-old filly Llanacord will be offered to the public through gavelhouse.com’s National Online Breeding Stock Sale, which will go live at 5pm on Friday, June 28.
The daughter of Contributer gave trainer Stephen Nickalls and her fellow owners a massive thrill, particularly over a golden couple of months in her three-year-old term.
Bred by Mapperley Stud’s Simms Davison, Llanacord was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2019 Book 2 Yearling Sale by Nickalls’ stepfather Kevin Hopson after she caught his eye at an on-farm yearling inspection earlier that year.
“Stu Hale did his yearling tours and Kevin drove the bus. He couldn’t think of anything better, getting able to drive around and look at horses at the same time,” Nickalls said.
“They went to Mapperley and she was one of the later ones to come out. He was sitting there thinking he had to go and get the bus ready, and she came out and he loved the way she walked. He said he was late coming back with the bus because he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“When he went to the sales, he managed to buy her for $15,000. Initially she went to Glynn Brick, he broke her in and did all the early education with her. He passed away and she came down to us as a late two-year-old, we gave her a jump out and she took us on a ride you don’t get to experience very often.”
Llanacord won her maiden at Wanganui over 2040m as a three-year-old before repeating the result in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings at her next start. She backed that up with a third placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham before heading across the Tasman where she was runner-up in the Gr.3 South Australian Fillies Classic (2500m).
While she didn’t reach the same heights as an older horse, Llanacord still placed in the Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m), and Nickalls said she has retired a sound and happy mare ready for an early service in the new breeding season.
“She has been a wonderful mare for us, she has given us all sorts of thrills,” Nickalls said. “She has taken us to Australia, she was Group One placed and was a Group Two winner in the Lowland.
“We are only a family run stable and to share that journey with my mother, step-father, wife and kids, it was amazing. When she won the Lowland, we were stuck under COVID rules so we couldn’t celebrate too much on course. The thrill and joy of doing that was amazing.
“The only thing Kevin said to me when he sent her down was that he wanted to get to the Oaks. I remember the morning of the Oaks, and Kevin was as nervous as anything, and I said to him we have actually achieved what you wanted to achieve, so the rest is a bonus. It was a huge run to run third that day in one of the real Classics of New Zealand racing.
“She ran some super races as a older horse. She ran third in the Wanganui Cup and we thought we were ready to go on and then she cut her back hock and that put everything on the backburner, and then you are chasing your tail for the rest of the season.
“The following season she had the odd little ni**le, we could never quite get her to the races at 100 percent. I was hoping that her ability would carry her through, but she ran some fantastic races, she ran second over a mile at Ellerslie and came from a long way back.
“She has given us a great journey. She is there ready for an early service, and someone will have a lot of fun with her as a broodmare.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

26/06/2024

New Zealand syndicator Go Racing is enjoying a pleasing season and hit a major milestone earlier this month.
Quality Time’s win at Ruakaka on June 8 took their stakes earnings past the $6 million mark for Go Racing’s owners this term, capping a remarkable season.
“It has been a wonderful season for our owners,” Go Racing Director Albert Bosma said. “We have won Group One races in New Zealand with Velocious, in Australia with Atishu and had stakes performers in Ireland, France and England.
“Just last week Je Zous ran a hard finishing fifth in the Gr.2 Ribblesdale Stakes (2400m) at Royal Ascot.
“I think what we have achieved is unique as I don’t believe any New Zealand thoroughbred racing operation has had stakes performers in five different countries in a season before.
“A massive thanks go to our staff who work incredibly hard for our owners and are passionate about looking after them and achieving the success they have had.”
Bosma credits their international success to their ability to be flexible with their horses and place them in environments where they will thrive.
“We are a boutique operation and don’t have the numbers of the big stables in New Zealand,” he said. “However, what we do have is the ability to place horses globally for owners and change tack when it is best for the horse, not just following the same traditional lines or keeping them in the same stable.
“The ability to give options for individual horses produces the results. Quality Time is a great example of this, he started in Germany, we moved him to Australia and now have him with Kylie Hoskin in New Zealand. He is approaching $500,000 in stake money and can go well beyond that.
“Last year we bought 11 total, including Karaka Million winner Velocious – we are boutique and targeted compared to some of the mammoth racing operations.”
Newly appointed General Manager Matt Allnutt was thrilled with the results gained during his first season in the role.
“The thing I am most proud of is our relationship with owners,” he said. “Many stay with us long-term and we get to know them beyond just a business relationship. We had 12 owners fly to Royal Ascot last week to support their horse, the second time in two years we have had a runner at Royal Ascot, and creating events like this for them is very special”.
Allnutt is feeling confident the winning momentum will continue into the new season.
“I believe we have bought well in New Zealand, Australia and Europe this year in what has been a patchy market,” he said.
“We want to improve on our record-breaking season and would like to have stakes-horses in more than five countries this coming season. I think we have the firepower to do that.

20/06/2024

Fee Increase Announced For The Bold One

Grangewilliam Stud’s proven sire The Bold One, sire of this year’s Wellington Cup winner Mary Louise, will stand at a slightly increased fee of $6000 plus gst this year.

Studmaster Mark Corcoran said The Bold One, son of recently retired champion sire Fastnet Rock, represented great value at the new fee on the back of a very strong season by his progeny.

“Last year he stood at $4000 plus gst and covered 48 mares but his results this season fully justify the fee increase,” Corcoran said.
Robbie Patterson-trained Mary Louise has won seven races from 17 starts for prize money of more than $320,000 with her major highlight this season undoubtedly being her win in the Gr. 3 Wellington Cup at Trentham in January.

She also finished third in the Gr. 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day.

“Besides Mary Louise he has been represented this season by the multiple Group performer One Bold Cat, the Group 3 Counties Cup winner and the likes of well performed The Fearless One and The Underbelly,” Corcoran said.

The Bold One has also been represented in recent seasons by the ultra-consistent Chris Wallter-trained Bold Mac who has won eight races including last year’s Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury. Bold Mac has amassed more than $660,000 in prize-money during his racing career.

Robbie Patterson-trained One Bold Cat has won seven races to date with his major win this season coming in the Gr. 3 Counties Cup at Pukekohe. He was also placed third in the Gr. 1 Thorndon Mile and finished third in the Gr. 1 Herbie D**e Stakes. He has won more than $350,000 in prize-money to date.

The Underbelly won the NZ St Leger Trial while The Fearless One continued his winning ways this season.

“The Bold One has had a steady flow of winners all season and has shown the ability to leave versatile progeny that win at all distances,” Corcoran said.

“They are consistent performers and trainers know they can be relied upon for honest performances week in, week out,” he said
Not surprisingly leading Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson is a big fan of The Bold One’s stock given the level of success he has enjoyed with Mary Louise, One Bold Cat The Underbelly and The Fearless One.

"The Bold One's progeny have a great temperament and are extremely easy to train. They have a great set of lungs and their recovery rate after a race is exceptional - they would not blow a match out," said Patterson.

Another avid supporter of The Bold One’s progeny is top jockey Craig Grylls.

“He just keeps improving, which is promising We just quickened up from about the 500m, and he kept getting quicker and quicker and he is a very good horse in the making," said Grylls after the effortless four-length win by The Underbelly (The Bold One) in the NZ St Leger Trial at Otaki.

The Bold One’s sire, Fastnet Rock, has been represented globally by 193 stakes winners headlined by 43 Group 1 winners and was retired from stud duties earlier this year.

For further information contact:
Mark Corcoran
Grangewilliam Stud
(027) 245 5166
[email protected]
website:

Home page for Grangewilliam Stud, a thouroughbred horse stud run by Mark Corcoran at Waitotara, South Taranaki, New Zealand