Alabar News July 2014

ALABAR NEWS JULY 2014

better than cheddar is coming to Australia

A ROCKNROLL DANCE The NEXT BIG THING

Plus Interviews with:

Anne and Bill Anderson Mark Purdon Robert Dunn

ALTA CHRISTIANO Group One winning son of Christian Cullen

TO ALABAR

win

Every starts with a

dream

AUCKLAND REACTOR

2014 ALABAR NEWS Front Cover Picture BETTERTHANCHEDDAR

EARLY BIRD PAYMENT OPTION 20% Discount For Up-Front Payment Over the last two seasons we have offered breeders the opportunity to pay their service fees up front in return for the maximum 20% discount.

This scheme has been very well received by breeders so we are offering it again this season – across all our stallions.

We also like this scheme as it helps our cash flow at a time when usually all the money is going out and nothing is coming in.

So here’s the deal ...

We’ll give a 20% discount on the service fee of any of our stallions on the basis that the service fee is paid up-front no later than 30 September 2014.

This discount is not additional to any multiple mare discounts.

So, if you’ve always wanted the 20% discount enjoyed by the big players, here’s your opportunity. All you have to do is pay us by 30 September 2014.

At the end of the season, should your mare not have obtained a final positive test, you will have the choice of having the paid service fee refunded in full or leaving it with us to “lock in” the discounted price for the following season.

The usual live foal guarantee also applies.

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CONTACTS Alabar Australia (Phone Numbers +61) Sally Burgess & Liz Birnie (Office)

Fax

Alan Galloway (Studmaster)

John Coffey (Breeding Consultant)

Tom Galloway (Farm Manager)

Brett Coffey (Marketing Manager and Pedigrees)

03 5859 2201 (8am - 4 pm) 03 5859 2206 0418 543 235 0418 500 211 0408 505 416 0423 812 652

Email Sally Burgess

Liz Birnie

Alan Galloway

John Coffey

Brett Coffey (Marketing and Pedigrees)

sally@alabar.com.au liz@alabar.com.au alan@alabar.com.au john@alabar.com.au brett@alabar.com.au

Alabar (NZ) Ltd (Phone Numbers +64) Hayley McNamara (Office) 09 232 1800 Fax 09 232 1799 Graeme Henley (General Manager) 09 232 1800, 027 487 0901 Wayne McNamara (Studmaster) 09 232 1800 Ivan Behrnes (South Island Rep) 03 615 6332, 027 615 6119 Email General Enquiries alabar@alabar.co.nz Graeme Henley graeme@alabar.co.nz Hayley McNamara hayley@alabar.co.nz Ivan Behrnes ivanbehrnes@yahoo.co.nz

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ALTA CHRISTIANO

The Might And The Power

Alta Christiano, one of Australasia’s most exciting racing prospects, has had his brilliant career cut short by injury. He has been retired and will stand at Alabar this season – and beyond.

On Sky Channel’s “In The Gig” earlier this year, Johnny Tapp – an icon of Australian racing broadcasting – compared Alta Christiano to the champion galloper Might And Power.

special – winning on debut in February 2012 as a twoyear-old in 1:56.8 by 7 ½ lengths with a 57.5 last half – paying $1.20.

$200,000 Gr.1 WA Derby and in his only other start as a three-year-old he won at Pinjarra in 1:54.9.

Quite the compliment indeed.

He also went on to win his next three starts in 1:57.6 (the Gr.3 NZ Kindergarten Stakes), 1:56.6 and 1:59.6 (last half in 56.5).

This season as four-year-old, he was in sensational form. His last four starts were victories - mostly by wide margins - in 1:56.9, 1:55.3, 1:54.2 (after sitting three wide) and 1:56.7.

After all, Might And Power was one of the greats of Australian racing - rated the world’s best stayer in 1997 when, as a four-year-old he won the Caulfield Cup / Melbourne Cup double. He’s the only horse to lead all the way to win both great races.

Undoubtedly the hottest youngster on the New Zealand harness racing scene, he was sold for huge money to clients of Gary Hall’s Perth stable, the intention being that he would continue to race in New Zealand through both the NZ two and three-year-old Sires Stakes Series.

Only ever beaten once in nine starts in Australia, Alta Christiano most certainly excited race-goers – had it not been for being a day-to-day proposition (in all probability due to the after effects of his original injury) it could have been oh so much more.

Like Might And Power, Alta Christiano has a free-striding style, a high cruising speed and could effortlessly draw away from fields without even appearing to accelerate – traits he also shares with his own champion sire, Christian Cullen.

Following a massive third in the $250,000 NZ Yearling Sales Series Final the plans went somewhat pear-shaped, culminating in the diagnosis of a spiral fracture in his near hind leg.

It will be as a stallion that he now gets the opportunity to fulfil this immense promise.

Alta Christiano was bred in New Zealand by Tony and Val Dickinson’s Alta Breeding Co Ltd. Right from his very first start he showed he was something

After a long period of recuperation he joined the Hall stable – and became an instant sensation.

First-up he won the $50,000 Gr.2 Western Gateway Pace in 1:55.4. He then absolutely monstered them in the

He certainly has the pedigree to be a stallion – not only are the first four sires in his pedigree all champion, premiership-winning sires (Christian Cullen, Fake Left, Vance Hanover and Noodlum) but he also boasts the former NZ Broodmare of the Year, Black Watch as his fourth dam.

We talked to champion trainer, Gary Hall senior about Alta Christiano. Here are his top 10 thoughts on the horse he rates as one of the best: 1. Great gaited, very good to drive. Very quick – with high, high speed but also very strong with a high cruising speed. He’s got all the attributes you could want in a horse – he’s fast, he can stay and he’s great gaited.

2. To win the WA Derby in only his second start for us – and after only eight weeks work – was outstanding. He drew 10, sat outside them and was just too good. I’d never won a Derby before so it was a huge thrill.

3. As far as three and four-year-olds go he’s easily the best horse I’ve trained – a better horse at that age than Quinny (Im Themightyquinn). Gary (stable driver, son Gary Hall junior) said on a number of occasions that this horse is going to be as good as Quinny.

4. When he came back as a four-year-old we had nothing else that could go with him in work so we had to work him with Quinny – and Quinny really had to open up and stretch his neck to get past him – and then there wasn’t much in it. There’s not too many horses that could make Quinny go all out - not on a one-on-one basis.

5. When he set his time of 1:54.2 at Gloucester Park he sat three wide outside them and just jogged it. Gary didn’t even pull the earplugs. He said he could easily had broken 1:53 that night if he’d wanted to. I was pleased on the night that he didn’t have to – but looking back I wish he had let the brakes off as everyone would have been able to see what an outstanding horse this is.

6. He suffered a spiral fracture of a hind cannon bone in one of his races in New Zealand. You’d have to think that his subsequent injuries would be associated with what was a pretty serious injury – you’d have to think he’s never really been 100% since.

7. Winning the Derby with him was one of my biggest thrills as a trainer. It’s a great shame that he never really had another chance to show the type of horse he was. As a fouryear-old he was never 100% in all his wins. This was a serious horse.

8. He had the gait that was the closest to Christian Cullen himself as I’d seen. He’s also the one that I feel looked the most like Cullen.

9. As a specimen he looks more like a thoroughbred sprinting stallion than he does a standardbred – just all power.

10. In my eyes there can’t be a better prospect as a stallion. He’s by Christian Cullen out of a Fake Left mare and is a direct descendant of Black Watch. If gait, speed, pedigree and temperament make a stallion then he’s got everything.

ALABAR NEWS

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A ROCKNROLL DANCE

The NEXT BIG THING The search for the next champion sire goes on. He answers the four big questions: The dominating presence of Christian Cullen and, ever increasingly, Art Major, Bettor’s Delight and Mach Three continues to fend off the challenge of all young pretenders.

In the Southern Hemisphere, premier race nights and yearling sale glamour are still very much the realm of these champion sires.

Any number of likely stallion prospects have come and gone – and the challenge of matching these siring goliaths remains.

It is a lofty goal as, after all, Australasia is the toughest place in the world for a stallion to make it.

In North America, stallions can often establish a tidy career by siring progeny who predominantly race in the protected sires stakes racing within their own state or jurisdiction. Their names hardly ever appear on the grand circuit stage.

Down under in our virtually “everyone races everyone” model, there is no place to hide for an average stallion.

Even in the most minor of races you can be up against the progeny of the siring “big guns”.

What’s more, much like challenging for the America’s Cup, it is seldom a fair fight for the challenger - the task of matching it with the super sires is made almost impossible for most by the fact that they have to do it with lesser numbers and with lesser quality mares However, it does happen and will happen again – many are saying we are due (overdue even) for the next big thing.

Art Major stared down Fake Left’s records in Australia and Bettor’s Delight stared down Christian Cullen’s in New Zealand.

1. Does he have what it takes?

Absolutely. As a multiple World Record holder, a Meadowlands Pace winner, the first horse ever to record multiple sub-1:50 wins as a two-year-old and the only horse ever to win three consecutive races in sub-1:48 - his race record is that of a successful sire.

Being bred in the purple by Rocknroll Hanover out of a half-sister to Western Hanover only adds to the appeal.

2. Is he going to get the numbers?

In terms of mare numbers, he’s on target to be in the top five stallions in both Australia and New Zealand. The combined power of Alabar and Nevele R is an opportunity never before afforded to a new stallion.

3. Is he going to get the quality?

In terms of overall quality, the book of mares he is getting is the best we at Alabar have ever had to a new stallion.

4. Will he cross with the daughters of the current champion sires?

A Rocknroll Dance himself is bred on the successful Rocknroll Hanover / Cam Fella (via Cam’s Card Shark) cross. Breeding him to daughters of Bettor’s Delight (a son of Cam’s Card Shark) or Fake Left and Armbro Operative mares can only reinforce this excellent cross.

Clearly the best cross for Rocknroll Hanover in North America is with daughters of Artsplace (34 $100,000 winners to date). It is logical that granddaughters of Artsplace (i.e. daughters of Art Major) should cross well with a champion son of Rocknroll Hanover. Art Major also crosses particularly well with Cam Fella blood (as carried by A Rocknroll Dance via his dam) – so should his daughters.

The fact that they have crossed so well with the daughters of these great sires is no coincidence. Great stallions are usually superseded by the sire who crosses best with their daughters.

Christian Cullen and Mach Three are both Direct Scooter line sires. Rocknroll Hanover is out of a mare by Direct Scooter so breeding his son, A Rocknroll Dance to Direct Scooter line mares can only reinforce this cross. In many ways, his pedigree is ideal for Direct Scooter line mares.

The new stallion that ticks all the boxes as being the greatest chance to ascend to the lofty heights of these champion sires – and be the next big thing - is A Rocknroll Dance.

Due to arrive in New Zealand in August, A Rocknroll Dance is currently serving a full book in his first season at

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ALABAR NEWS

Diamond Creek’s Pennsylvania farm. His book is one of the best books afforded to a new stallion and includes the likes of one of the greatest fillies of recent times See You At Peelers ($1,573,260), the $2.6 million winner Loyal Opposition, the millionaire Tidewaterdragonfly and the brilliant filly Isabella Blue Chip (p,2,1:51.4, $792,069).

Interestingly for the breeders of Australasia, both See You At Peelers and Isabella Blue Chip are by Bettor’s Delight.

As in any part of life, support is earned. A Rocknroll Dance did so with a race career that was glittered with highlights.

He was the richest two-year-old of his year and equalled the world record at that age.

As a three-year-old he not only won the Meadowlands Pace but also the $500,000 Battle of Brandywine - in identical times of 1:48.2.

As a four-year-old he was a monster, setting world records on both five-eighths (1:47.8) and half-mile tracks (1:49.2).

His outstanding achievement of three consecutive sub1:48 wins was recorded in winning an invitational at Pocono Downs (1:47.8) and the elimination and final of the $651,000 Canadian Pacing Derby (1:47.6 and 1:47.4).

He is one of only three pacers in history to win in sub-1:50 at two, three and four.

A horse who could lead or power over the opposition at the finish, he paced eleven sub-27 last quarters – fastest 25.4 and four sub-27 first quarters (when leading) – the fastest in 25.2.

He defeated twelve millionaires, including Foiled Again $6,313,068, Sweet Lou $2,528,461, Golden Receiver $2,130,368, Pet Rock $1,985,820, Atochia $1,793,594, Clear Vision $1,791,052, Bolt The Duer $1,724,645, etc.

His fee is set at NZ$6,000 (plus GST) in New Zealand and AUS$6,000 (incl GST) in Australia. In a win for breeders he will be included in both the Nevele R and Alabar multiple mare discount schemes.

BETTERTHANCHEDDAR

He can switch his gears in the blink of an eye AND NOW HE’S SWITCHING COUNTRIES AS WELL If you were a connoisseur of the cheeses Betterthancheddar - The Fastest and of the world, you probably wouldn’t rate a Richest son of Bettors Delight at stud cheddar very highly – if you were Canada’s To say Bettors Delight has been a great sire in the Southern leading trainer in harness racing Casie Hemisphere is almost an understatement.

Coleman, then you would say there is nothing Siring premierships in both Australia and New Zealand in Betterthancheddar.

When Casie has something to say about harness racing it is best to pay attention.

She has trained over 1000 winners in a relatively short career and she has put the polish on some champion horses such as American Ideal, Sportswriter, the past two Little Brown Jug winners –Vegas Vacation and Michaels Power, plus the fillies Idyllic and Western Silk.

So when Casie Coleman describes the son of Bettor’s Delight (Betterthancheddar) as the “fastest, most talented horse I have had in my care” you know that he is and was a very, very talented animal.

When the Alabar representatives Graeme Henley and John Coffey visited her stables in early 2012, Casie declared that Cheddar would have an undefeated year as a four-year-old..

Well the big statement didn’t quite come to fruition, but the ever confident Casie wasn’t far from the “home run”.

The only two defeats in an 11 start season were by the narrowest of margins – a nose and a neck.

Amongst the nine victories in 2012 were World Record performances on both half mile and five eighth tracks.

One of those records came in the $500,000 Ben Franklin Final when Cheddar led through a vicious first half of 52.8 seconds. As Casie said “He set some crazy insane fractions, never had a breather and just kept digging in.”

This trait we have seen many times here in the Southern Hemisphere – the progeny of Bettors Delight do know how to dig in and find the line strongly.

To summarise the brilliant 33 start career of Betterthancheddar, it resulted in 19 wins and prizemoney of $1,634,314 – race timed in better than 1:50 on 19 occasions and a closing quarter in 26 plus seconds in one third of his 33 starts.

2011/12 and 2012/13, with further premierships heading his way in both countries in this current season tells all breeders what an outstanding sire he is.

Horses of the calibre of Beautide, Gold Ace, Caribbean Blaster, Highview Tommy, Bettor Cover Lover and Adore Me to name just a few are shining examples of the quality of the Bettors Delight stock.

The Alabar brains trust decided that a North American son of Bettors Delight had to be at the top of the shopping list.

So in 2012 a decision was taken to buy into Betterthancheddar at the invitation of Canadian owner Steve Calhoun.

Apart from his already impressive race record (coming off a 2011 Breeders Crown victory) and his siring sensation father, his dam Lady Ashlee Ann has now been elevated in status with an invite into the USTA Broodmare Hall of Fame in 2013.

In mid August this year Betterthancheddar will take up residence at Alabar’s Victorian base near Echuca. He of course will still be available to New Zealand breeders with Vicbred eligibility an added bonus for them.

Being devoid of any Artsplace or No Nukes blood in his pedigree, he should be well suited to the plethora of Artsplace line mares based in Australia at the moment.

There would be a thousand or more mares currently of breeding age by the likes of Art Major, Grinfromeartoear, Modern Art, Perfect Art and soon mares by sons of these stallions.

EXCEPTIONAL book of mares Betterthancheddar served an exceptional book of mares in his first season, especially taking into account he arrived four weeks into the breeding season.

His book of mares included the dams of three recent two-year-olds of the year!

HIGHVIEW TOMMY

2008 New Zealand 2yo Pacer of the Year CUTTHEATTITUDE Cuttheattitude

The daughter of Camtastic, who took a 1:51.6 record of her own, is now the dam of eleven winners of over $3.9 million. Eight of those eleven winners have taken sub 1:55 records and two have sub 1:50 records.

2009 Australian 2yo Pacer of the Year

Cheddar descends from a family that has already produced the successful pacing sires Badlands Hanover, Knight Dream and Timely Knight as well as the leading trotting stallion Love You.

Other highlights of this debut book include the dams of stakeswinners like: All Promises, Bettor Promise, Cheer The Lady, Dee Devito, Dredlock Rockstar, Grand Stride, Hes A Corka, Hexam Heartbeat, Ima Rocket Star, Katasopos, Katy Perry, Leilani Lombo, Making Magic, Maximillion, Saved A Corka, and Yankee Dream.

Betterthancheddar to visit the Aussies In 2013 Betterthancheddar arrived in the Southern Hemisphere at the end of October and was based at Alabar’s NZ farm on the outskirts of Auckland.

Despite a late arrival to the breeding season, Cheddar still bred a book of 200 mares between New Zealand and Australia.

ALABAR NEWS

ROYAL Royal VERDICT Verdict

2010 Australian 2yo Pacer of the Year

As well as the stakes winners: Broadway Play, Copper Beach Girl, Gotta Go Harmony, Indyanna Lombo, Lady Toddy, Lilac Stride, Miss Baypoint, Nowuseeme and Suvarno Hanover.

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MARK PURDON & HAPPY CONNECTIONS

An Interview with MARK PURDON The All Stars Stables of Mark Purdon and partner Natalie Rasmussen are firmly established as Australasia’s premier training stable. Their strike rate in age group racing on both sides of the Tasman is quite outstanding, producing an incredible number of talented juveniles. Each season horses in the Purdon colours feature winning group races for both pacers and trotters and the stable is re-writing the record books yet again for the number of winners produced in a season.

How many horses do you currently have in work and how many staff do you employ?

We vary through the season of course but at our peak probably 55 horses on the property here. We have 40 stalls in our barn at Rolleston and several shelters and yards as well. We would probably have about 70 horses under our direct control at the height of the season. Beside Nat and myself, there are eight people working here.

show potential. When to keep on, when to ease back.

How many of these are juveniles?

This varies depending on time of year. We bring our youngsters in now and work them through the winter, perhaps 45 per cent of our team at this time. Most will carry through until the early spring but the slower maturers will be put aside. We have a small group going through for the early two year old races.

Do you think they will carry on and become good aged trotters?

Yes I do because of the way they improve with racing and time. They have that potential to go on to be top older stars.

We spoke to Mark about his start in harness racing, the horses he has trained and driven, and what training theories he and Natalie Which do you prefer – pacers or trotters? Why? I have no particular preference but I always like to have follow today.

How many years have you been training?

I took out my license in the 1995-96 season.

When did your legendary father Roy first let you drive a horse in work?

When I was at school I used to look after Sole Command.

I’d brush him in the morning and afternoon and I am pretty certain he was the first one I drove in work. Not a bad way to start!

What words of wisdom and advice did he give you both as a driver and later as a trainer that you still carry and use today?

He didn’t advise me at all about driving because he believed it was something you learned yourself. But I have always remembered something he told me about training. I had Il Vicolo in my first season and told Dad I was aiming at such and such a race. He said to me to remember, “Don’t you tell them when they are ready, let them tell you.’’ I have never forgotten that.

What have been some of the greatest training highlights you have had to date and why were they so special?

Well there have been many of course. My great run in Australia back in the 1990s when we won 17 of 21 starts, including several Group Ones, was special. The two New Zealand Cups were memorable and the Inter Dominion with Mark Hanover. I don’t like to single them out because you miss one but the big races won by I Can Doosit were also something and most recently Follow The Stars winning the APG Final in Melbourne. I have been lucky enough to have had more than my share of great moments and they are just some of them.

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at least one good trotter in the stable and usually it is more. Pacers are pretty much to pattern. You see the same trainers come up with the best pacers year after year but you don’t see that with trotters and they do give you a special sense of satisfaction.

Each season you produce excellent juvenile trotters that compete in age group racing. What’s the secret to your success with young trotters?

I don’t know that it is anything really different. I think management of young horses is important when they

You have enjoyed a great run with the stock of boom trotting sire Majestic Son. What is it you like about them?

They are genuine racehorses with a good attitude and good manners in my experience and that is so important with trotters.

Which of Majestic Son’s young trotters do you rate the best and why?

Maybe on ability One Over Da Moon but our star, King Denny, is typical of the stock of the stallion. He developed a lot through the season, strengthening up and improving all the time. You like to see that in a young trotter.

Do you have any yearlings by him coming to your stable that we will hopefully see racing as next season’s twoyear-olds?

Unfortunately no I don’t think we have. But we often have additions as time goes on and I am sure we will get one even if maybe a little older.

“He developed a lot through the season, strengthening up and improving all the time. You like to see that in a young trotter.” Mark Purdon on three time Group One winner King Denny.

ALABAR NEWS

ISAIAH

SMOLDA

SMOLDA You have also had great success with the progeny of the leading Alabar stallions Mach Three, Art Major and Courage Under Fire. Included are Auckland Reactor, Sushi Sushi, Isaiah, Supersonic Miss, Major Mark, Russley Rascal, Sleepy Trip, Smolda, Fiery Falcon and the latest young star juveniles Follow The Stars, Alta Ronaldo and Supersonic Miss.

Is there any noticeable difference in how you have to handle and train the progeny of these three stallions?

Art Major: “They have a lot of ability and usually show early.

I find you just have to manage FOLLOW THE STARS that natural speed they have.

They are great horses to handle and train and yes we have had a lot of luck with them. I don’t like to push them too hard before they are ready.”

Mach Three: “The Mach Threes are similar in that they have a lot of natural ability and I find you just have to manage that raw talent a little early on. I guess Auckland Reactor, who always showed plenty of speed but was immature, was an example. We didn’t race him until he was three just to let him get it all together.”

MARK PURDON & AUCKLAND REACTOR Auckland Reactor has had a great start to his siring career, serving a combined New Zealand and Australian book of over 300 mares. Was he the best horse you have driven and trained and which race did he win that impressed you the most?

Yes, the best I have had so far. I have a lot of fond memories of his big wins. I think the New Zealand Derby was a highlight and one day at Ashburton in a lower grade race on Flying Stakes day he missed away and ran his last 800m in 54 or better. I had a lot of big moments with him.

Will you be keen to train any of his progeny and what attributes do you expect Auckland Reactor will pass on to his youngsters?

That is always hard to assess frankly - what he will pass on. I hope he passes on his own great ability and I am sure he will. He was a lovely natured horse, really smart. He seems to be getting a good chance. I will certainly be interested in training them.

What are your aims for the future as a trainer?

To quieten down! I don’t expect to be handling the same number of horses we did last season, it just gets to be too much of a challenge. We have good clients and I am anticipating that we will be taking fewer outside horses over the next few years. It will be a gradual thing though and the numbers won’t drop dramatically.

Are there any changes you would like to see happen to our racing scene in New Zealand?

Well we do have problems. I am particularly concerned with breeders and how the numbers of foals are falling. I would like to see a system where the breeders get more out of it than they are at the moment. The basic stakes probably need another lift because it is such a battle for owners. I don’t have any short answers but I would put the breeders at the top of the list.

Courage Under Fire: “As we know they are outstanding horses. In my experience you have to keep on top of them. Some of them you give them an inch and they’ll take a mile but that doesn’t make them hard to handle. They just need that guidance.”

Auckland Reactor MOST POPULAR STALLION As a racehorse Auckland Reactor was always popular and that popularity has certainly transferred to the breeding barn.

A son of Mach Three that possessed the X Factor, Auckland Reactor served 394 mares in his first year at stud and importantly those mares were pretty evenly split with 212 in New Zealand and 182 in Australia.

This ensures that he will get a great chance of success in both countries when his progeny debut on the track in 2016/17.

Even more importantly is that his book of mares included Group One winners, dams of Group One winners and mares closely related to Group One mares.

AUCKLAND REACTOR

Going forward this outstanding first season gives Auckland Reactor an excellent springboard to launch his career and this should give breeders tremendous confidence to continue to breed to him.

ALABAR NEWS

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ANNE & BILL ANDERSON (CENTRE) AFTER QUEEN OF POP’S APG WIN

It’s been a BANNER SEASON for Lauriston Bloodstock Since establishing Lauriston Bloodstock in 2006, Anne and Bill Anderson have consistently been breeding outstanding horses that race, and win, at the top level. However nothing has compared to this season.

introduced to the breeding side of the industry, which has blossomed to the scale of Lauriston Bloodstock today.

Their graduates have won Group races in Victoria, New South Wales and both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

“Welooked lookedat at some some Australian Australian mares, “We mares, but but we wefelt feltthe the owners wanted too much for them $70,000 $80,000. owners wanted too much for them - $70,000 - $80,000.

Wejust justdidn’t didn’tfeel feellike likethey theyrepresented representedvalue. value.

We

When you talk to Anne and Bill you not only see people that clearly know what they want to achieve and how to go about it, but also people who love their horses.

“Wethought, thought,How how do do we we up “We up the the game? game? So Sowe wewent wenttoto America. ” Bill Anderson.

America.” Bill Anderson.

It is that combination of analytical thinking and passion for the equine species that has seen them become one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading breeders in a relatively short space of time.

How did you become involved in harness racing?

ANNE: My father was a beef cattle breeder and dealer, but he always had horses as well - ponies, thoroughbreds and standardbreds.

He bred and trained a couple of pacers as a hobby out of Dales Stables at Maribyrnong in Victoria. That was in the days when harness racing was at the Showgrounds and we would go every week.

I developed a love of horses that has been with me my whole life.

BILL: My interest started when my family occasionally visited the Showgrounds in my early teens. Then in my late teens, I enjoyed the “thrill’ of a small punt.

I enhanced my interests when meeting Anne and was

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How many broodmares do you have?

There are 19 mares on the farm , however not all are bred from every year.

Stallions have long been imported from North America for stud duty, however mares from the Northern Hemisphere have also been brought down under by astute breeders with a view to improving the breed.

The results have been mixed and it is hard to say if they have performed any better or worse than the average Southern Hemisphere mares.

In recent times however Lauriston Bloodstock has certainly been flying the flag for North American mares with horses such as Maffioso, Follow The Stars, Yankee Rockstar and Laugh Out Loud all produced out of mares who originated north of the equator.

What was the first mare you purchased from America?

We purchased Makin Faces in foal to Grinfromeartoear from Harrisburg in 2001 and she arrived in Australia in December 2001.

She spent 6 months in quarantine at a thoroughbred farm in NSW. After her foal was born she came to our property at Bannockburn in Victoria and that foal is Laugh Out Loud who raced successfully in Victoria and retired as a M2 C7.

ALABAR NEWS

She is now a Lauriston broodmare.

How many American mares do you currently own ?

We have 6 mares that we have imported from the USA and are breeding from some of their daughters.

All had raced in the US except Aston Villa who was purchased as a yearling in Lexington Kentucky.

She raced in Australia nine times for four wins and a placing. Her first foal is Yankee Rockstar.

We also purchased Posh Jaccka and Left A Dream when their US racing careers were over and brought them back to Australia.

Our broodmare band consists of primarily USA and NZ bred mares.

What do you look for in a broodmare - either when buying as a yearling or as a race/broodmare?

A strong family is the number one requirement as ultimately all fillies and mares are purchased with the broodmare band in mind.

When buying yearlings obviously conformation and temperament come into play. We prefer to buy well reared stock from young race mares.

“The horses do well here. They go up and down the horses slope of – It ” slope Bill “The dothe wellpaddock here. They go builds up andstrength. down the ofAnderson. the paddock – It builds strength.” Bill Anderson.

In 2006 the Andersons took the plunge and bought a beautiful property at Euroa. Realising their property at Bannockburn, while an excellent training facility, was too small to accommodate their growing breeding operation, they snapped up a 250 acre parcel of land which had

PART OF THE EUROA FARM

FOLLOW THE STARS

EUROA FARM DRIVEWAY

formed part of Vinery’s Victorian farm.

Vinery was at the time one of the world’s leading thoroughbred studs and no expense had been spared setting up the stud.

However it was not the improvements that drew the Anderson’s to the property, it was the land.

The land around Euroa is renowned for prime agricultural land. Its climate, soil and topography combine to provide an amazing environment for breeding horses.

Since purchasing the property, the Anderson’s have improved the property further, adding a fast work track, walker and extra boxes. However the most impressive enhancement has been the conversion of the old stallion barn into a beautiful residence.

“There are 10 current 2yos - two are unraced, one has trialled seven have raced. those seven, 1 “There are 10 and current Two year olds.Of 2 are unraced, four are winners including a Group 3 4winner and has trialled and 7 have raced. Of those 7: are winners two others won three Group ’s between including a have Group 3 winner and 21 others havethem.” won 3 Anne 1Anderson Group ’s between them.” Anne Anderson Lauriston Bloodstock’s 2yo crop is simply one for the ages.

Follow The Stars’ win in the Group One Australian Pacing Gold Colts and Geldings Final followed on from Queen Of Pop’s win in the Australian Pacing Gold Fillies Final.

This not only meant that Art Major sired the double, but Lauriston Bloodstock bred the double. This was just the second time a breeder has achieved this feat. The first was Mick Lombardo in 2001 and it’s fair to say Mick would have bred more than 10 foals that year.

Add to that Rosie OReilly who won her first two starts by a combined 34.3 metres, including a Group Three Australian Pacing Gold Semi Final and you can see why Lauriston Bloodstock are rightfully proud of what they have achieved this season with their 2yo crop.

Going forward it is hard not to see the Andersons continuing to breed high class racehorses, they are just doing too many things right and continually trying to improve.

That is always the key with any successful business continue to improve and adapt. They did it in 2001 when they bought their first mare from America, they did it again in 2006 when they purchased their Euroa property and they will do it yet again in future.

SMYRNA DURUISSEAU

TOP TEMPO

What drew you to Smyrna Duruisseau?

The page in the catalogue! She is a beautifully bred mare from a very strong maternal family.

What drew you to Top Tempo?

A NZ agent sent us a list of mares that had become available from a North Island breeder. The two that we were interested in had already been sold and we asked him to seek out other NZ mares available for purchase.

Smyrna Duruisseau pictured above with Follow The Stars

She was originally named Smyrna Hanover and was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms. Her dam, Secret Date (by Abercrombie) has left 8 winners, three $200,000 earners including Texas Shootout 1.50.8 $498,205.

Smyrna Duruisseau is a Cams Card Shark mare and we purchased her in 2007 from the Harrisburg sale, to compliment the Artsplace sons who were coming to Australia as sires.

She was described in the Harrisburg catalogue as one of the best bred fillies in the sale and is from the prolific family of Dateable.

Dateable, a daughter of Race Time, was the dam of 16 foals, 13 winners including the millionaire Historic and is a sister to the dam of Magical Mike - sire of Gallo Blue Chip 1.48.4 $4,236,469.

This is the family of Shy Ann, a noted family of sires.

Follow the Stars is Smyrna Duruisseau’s first colt and her weanling American Ideal filly will be retained.

She is in foal to Sportswriter and will be served this season by Art Major.

ALABAR NEWS

Top Tempo was then offered to us and she appealed to us as a daughter of In The Pocket.

She had raced at the highest level but was not over raced and was a young mare in foal for the first time to Bettors Delight. She is a lovely type of mare.

On the track she had won on 11 occasions, gone 1.56.5 and amassed $225,513. Again, she comes from a strong NZ family and as a commercial mare appeals to both New Zealanders and Australians.

When we purchased her the vendor had first right of refusal on the resultant foal but declined to exercise the option as it was a filly. This filly became Musical Delight who had 18 starts for us which resulted in 11 wins, five placings and earnings of $248,910. Included in those wins were the Group 1 APG 2yo Fillies Final and the Group 3 Raith Memorial.

Top Tempo’s second filly was Queen Of Pop who has had four starts for 2 wins and 2 placings including the Group 1 APG 2yo Fillies Final.

Musical Delight has been retired and is booked to Art Major this year.

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VENUS SERENA

VENUS SERENA

She just has to be one of New Zealand’s best ever two and three-year-old fillies The daughter of Mach Three and the former smart Falcon Seelster filly Inspiring Dash has just capped off a brilliant three-year-old season with a truly phenomenal win in the NZ Jewels – from a second row draw she was wide, then parked and still found the courage to get her head in front at the finish – in 1:52.1!

In the words of trainer Geoff Dunn: “The highlight of the season for me was her win in the Jewels. It was a huge thrill. She deserved to end the season on a note like that. A lot of people have told me it was the best win ever in a Jewels – and that would be hard to disagree with.”

That Venus Serena “deserved” it is hardly a strong enough word.

It’s no easy feat for a dominant two-year-old filly to come back as a three-year-old and maintain that dominance.

History shows it is one of harness racing’s more difficult mountains to climb.

The unanimous 2012/13 NZ Two-Year-Old Filly of the Year, Venus Serena won all three Group One events on the NZ two-year-old “She’s just got a fillies’ calendar.

massive motor – as tough as tough. It’s her will to win that sets her apart – but she’s obviously got the ability to back it up.”

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This season as a threeyear-old she again won three Group Ones – the Northern Oaks, the Nevele R Fillies Series Final and the NZ Jewels. What’s

more, in a tribute to her toughness and versatility, in these three races she set new NZ records for a three-year-old filly for 2700m, 1950m and one mile – simply outstanding.

VEnus serena's major wins

Geoff Dunn (who not only trains Venus Serena but also shares in the ownership with Bob and Jenny Sandford) continues.

Cheviot 2YO Fillies Stakes (Group 3) NZ Record & Equal Australasian Record

“There was a little reason why she wasn’t quite right in the NZ Oaks and I was pleased she bounced back to her best for the Jewels – but I was confident she was ready.”

NZ Sires’ Stakes 2YO Fillies Championship (Group 1)

What makes her the outstanding filly she is?

Harness Jewels 2YO Diamond (Group 1) Australasian Record

“She’s just got a massive motor – as tough as tough. It’s her will to win that sets her apart – but she’s obviously got the ability to back it up.

“She’s quite headstrong – more like a colt in some ways – but she’s lovely to work and she’s got no nastiness in her at all.”

And for the future?

“She’s out having a spell now and is looking great.

“The plan is to kick off at NZ Cup time but we’ve pretty much ruled the Cup out – there’s time for that next year.

She’ll keep racing for as long as she’s happy.

“We might possibly head over to Australia later in the season as there are a couple of races for her over there.”

With six Group One wins under her belt and having seen off all-comers she has nothing left to prove – but on behalf of everyone who appreciates great horses, we can’t wait to see Venus Serena back in action.

ALABAR NEWS

2yo

Caduceus Club Classic (Group 1)

3yo Ladyship Stakes (Group 2) PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales Fillies Pace (Listed) Nevele R Fillies Final (Group 1) NZ Record Northern Oaks (Group 1) NZ Record Harness Jewels 3YO Diamond Australasian Record

(Group 1)

ILLAWONG ARMSTRONG

Shoot for the MOON It’s 45 years since the lunar landing and on the 5th of November 2011. However she is currently safely in foal to Yankee Spider and is fast becoming one another Armstrong is making a big step of the broodmare gems of the Australian stud book.

Most of us involved in breeding standardbreds will remember the words – “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

These were the words of course of Neil Armstrong, when he became the first human being to step foot on the moon on the 20th of July, 1969.

Well now some 45 years later a 2yo trotter, named for this auspicious occasion, is creating his own headlines in Victoria.

Illawong Armstrong, a 2yo gelding by Majestic Son from the mare Lunar Landing, has a record of five starts for four wins (to 23rd June) and is providing his owners and breeders, Martin and Kaye Hartnett, with maybe the ride of a lifetime.

The Armstrong lad blotted his copybook on debut on the 16th of April, but we do forgive 2yo trotters who make mistakes at their first attempt.

Since then though it has been win – win – win – win including triumph in the Group One Vicbred Platinum Classic at Melton on the 30th of May. Illawong Armstrong qualified for the Group One Vicbred Final of the 4th of July with an exciting victory in his heat at Geelong on the 17th of June.

So where did this fairytale begin to unfold? Probably not long after Neil Armstrong took that history making step because the ever popular medico, Martin Hartnett, and his charming wife Kaye began breeding standardbreds in the 1970’s.

However this particular chapter commenced in mid 2010 when Martin and Kaye attended a broodmare sale in Melbourne. Martin conferred recently that he considered Sundon to be one of the all time great sires of the Southern Hemisphere of either the pacing or trotting gait.

So when a young Sundon mare, in foal to the young trotting sire Yankee Spider, walked into the ring Martin’s attention was quickly aroused. Needless to say Lunar Landing was on her way by days end to join the many other Illawong broodmares.

As mentioned earlier, the Hartnett’s have been breeding horses for over 40 years and Martin has lost count of the number, but estimates it must exceed 200.

Of those, Illawong Ian, a trotter who won 25 races and $211, 872 including the consolation of the 2004 Trotters Inter Dominion, have rewarded the Hartnett’s with their fondest memories.

Incidentally the dam of Illawong Ian and the dam of $2 million winner Flashing Red were half sisters, both bred

by Martin and Kaye.

So now after almost a lifetime of perseverance, let all of us in the Harness Racing Industry wish the Hartnetts the journey that will take them to places they’ve never ever been.

Majestic Son and Sundon - What a combination

Grinfromeartoear is having another great year in 2013/14 with 20 individual two-year-olds winners and stake money approaching $3 million.

Majestic Son has been an instant hit in the Southern Hemisphere since his first full crops of progeny started racing in early 2013.

Consistently amongst the leading stallions available, Grinfromeartoear’s 20 two-year-old winners places him in the top four sires in Australia.

He does have a particularly good affinity with mares by Sundon and it appears that this cross of bloodlines has unearthed another potential champion in Illawong Armstrong.

Amongst those winners are the very talented colts Show Me The Bling and Virgil Hilts.

However, there have already been two trotters who you could argue are nearing the champion status.

Im Stately was voted 2yo Trotter of the Year in Australia in 2012/13 whilst One Over Da Moon has displayed dazzling talent on both sides of the Tasman.

Then there are square gaiters of the calibre of Majestic Time, Not About The Money, Regal Petite and Prince Fearless who carry that Majestic Son and Sundon blood. This impressive list of talented trotters will continue to gain momentum as each season passes.

Both have impressed with splendid performances in their short careers to date. Importantly both also look to be on the improve as they head into the latter half of the two-year-old season.

The supreme South Australian filly Whats Emma Got is also representing her sire with aplomb.

She has won five times from eights starts including a heat of the SA Southern Cross Series and a 25.1 metre romp in the Ladyship Stakes at Globe Derby Park.

Grinfromeartoear is also once again placed highly on the All Age Australian Sires Premiership with only Bettors Delight, Art Major, Christian Cullen and Mach Three ahead of him.

Of course Grinfromeartoear still ranks as one of only two pacing stallions to ever sire two $3 million earners.

The resulting foal, Illawong Moonshine, will be a valuable female when finished racing for the Hartnett’s as she is a full sister to Victoria’s superstar trotter of the moment Spidergirl, the winner of 16 races and $221,197, with much more to come.

Sadly for Martin and Kaye, Lunar Landing has not produced a live foal since Illawong Armstrong was born

Still SMILING

ONE OVER DA MOON

ALABAR NEWS

If you are looking for a proven son of Artsplace for your mare, you could do a lot worse than breed her to Grinfromeartoear, in fact you could hardly do any better!

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An Interview with ROBERT DUNN You have had an outstanding training career to date, spanning over 30 years and with over 900 winners. What first drew you to train horses with all the long hours, frustration and often disappointments associated with it?

I first came to love horses when I was a young boy, mainly through the many horse people I came into contact with when they stayed at my father’s hotel in Lower Hutt.

Later my interest carried on when I left school at age 16 and went to work for a number of fine trainers including Basil Lynskey, Kevin Ryder, Don Hayes, Jack Smolenski and Jim Dalgety. The experience I gained from them, along with the help from my father, gave me the confidence to begin training horses from our West Melton stables.

Canterbury trainer Robert Dunn is established as one of New Zealand’s leading trainers in an illustrious career spanning over 30 years.

Robert’s current training combination with son John has catapulted him to second on the New Zealand training premiership this season with a winning tally approaching 100, adding to a career total of over 900 winners. Hardly a meeting goes by without the Dunn name featuring, particularly through the great driving deeds of both sons, John and Dexter.

Dexter is New Zealand’s leading driver and has 200 wins in his sights for the season while John is currently sitting a creditable fourth with 88 driving wins.

You have had some great horses to train over the years, including Master Musician and Mainland Banner. What were they like to train?

Master Musician would be my favourite simply because of the problems he had during his amazing career. He raced at the top level from two through to a 10 year old and lined up a record seven times in the New Zealand Cup, that is how courageous and good he was.

Mainland Banner winning the New Zealand Cup as a four-year-old mare was just exceptional and she was also a pleasure to train.

Did they put greater pressure on you as a trainer because of their

SAY MY NAME

“He is a future Cup horse. He has the all-round game, great manners, attitude, speed and he can stay. He is such an intelligent horse and is also beautifully gaited.”

high profile and the expectations from the public?

They both presented their share of problems, particularly Master Musician, and it was a great learning curve for me taking them through to Cup class but at the same time they gave me and my family a lot of pleasure and satisfaction.

Robert Dunn on Say My Name Why did you and you wife Rose encourage your two sons Dexter

12

ALABAR NEWS

and John into the industry?

Both the boys had been brought up with horses from a young age and both wanted to be involved. We used to take them to the races to watch their dad drive and they would often take along a friend so the day was a fun day out for them. John was feeding 30 horses by himself at a very young age and both he and Dexter were also driving horses before they reached secondary school age.

What advice did you give to Dexter and John that makes them such fine drivers?

I taught them to be very fair to other drivers and their horses. They both have soft hands and can judge pace well. Horses run for them and they don’t knock them around. I think they are both now respected and fair drivers.

John has now moved into training with you as well as continuing his driving. What attributes does he bring to training?

He has a tremendous work ethic and is incredibly well organised. Staff get on really well with him which is a bonus. He is also very fussy and always wants everyone to do it just right.

Why did you set up two training properties with the emphasis now on being at Woodend Beach?

I had used beach training in the past to sort out problem horses such as Panky’s Pacer and Master Musician and had excellent results. The beach training is now our main stable emphasis. We can go up to 2½ miles in a straight line, do fast work and have them paddle in the sea where the salt water helps cool their joints.

The surface is also very consistent and what I really like is how the horses seem to enjoy training at the beach.

We have trained over 200 winners in two years since I moved my main team to the beach so it is working.

You are currently having one of your best-ever training seasons, being second in the premiership, and you recently quinellaed the New Zealand Messenger with Elios and Franco Nelson driven by John and Dexter. How do you rate that achievement?

That definitely was a season’s highlight, along with Franco Nelson’s win in the Harness Jewels which was a first for me. It rates right up there with my earlier wins in the New Zealand Cup with Mainland Banner and Auckland Cup with Master Musician.

What plans do you have for the two pacers?

I am saving Elios for mobile racing and have next season’s New Zealand Free-For-All as an early target. He follows speed all day and is a great staying horse and should again be in for a good season.

Franco Nelson will be set for the New Zealand Cup. He is developing an all-round game and is now more relaxed in his racing and has good standing start manners. Dex said he is the fastest horse he has ever driven so he has to be a real show if he gets the right run.

You also unearthed two very exciting younger pacers during the season. One is the Art Major two-year-old Say My Name and the other the Mach Three three-yearold pacer No Doctor Needed, the winner of the Southern Supremacy race. Firstly, what kind of horse is Say My Name?

He is a future Cup horse. He has the all-round game, great manners, attitude, speed and he can stay. He is such an intelligent horse and is also beautifully gaited. It was a shame he was knocked over in the Jewels as he was only jogging at the time. I expect him to be one of our top three-yearolds next season and a race like the NZ Derby would be an ideal race for him.

Have you trained many other Art Majors and what do you think of them?

Funnily enough I have very few to date but I bought three Art Majors at this year’s sales. I hope they can turn out as good as Say My Name.

No Doctor Needed, a strapping son of Mach Three and former top filly Molly Darling, who won the Southern Supremacy, has been a revelation since being sent down from the North Island. What is it that makes him such an exciting prospect?

He has all the attributes to be a future star four-year-old. He is a great staying horse with deceptive speed and he is only lightly raced at this stage. I rate him very highly.

You also have another very smart Mach Three pacer in Return To Sender which made headlines in Southland when he won two races in the space of a week, both in under 2.56 for 2400m.

He is a late maturing type and those two sub 2.56 runs jaded him a fraction, which we have learnt from.

With further maturity and careful handling he will become another very good horse. He also has high speed.

A recent 3yo filly to show real potential is the Courage Under Fire filly Secret Lotion, a double winner for you and John on the recent Nelson circuit. How far can she go towards scaling the heights of her illustrious sister Secret Potion?

I like her, she is a lovely type with lots of speed and I really rate her highly.

We are currently planning what is best for her racing and breeding future. Only time will tell how far she will go.

You had an impressive Gotta Go Cullect pacer called Cullect A Guiness showing up at the trials. What has happened to him?

Yes, he was unbeaten at the trials but we have a leg issue with him and have had to back off and give him a long spell.

We rate him highly and in fact we had nominated him for the New Zealand Derby. We thought he could have been a star three-year-old. He has tremendous potential being a high speed horse with a lot of strength so we are just hoping he will stay sound.

You were very active at this round of New Zealand’s yearling sales. How many did you buy this year and what did you think of this year’s sales in Karaka and Christchurch?

I ended up buying 12 yearlings. All have broken in really well and we are excited about all their futures. I expect them to do a hell of a job next season. The Courage Under Fire yearling from Rafiki (Freedom Fighter $48K) was a particularly nice yearling.

I thought both sales were excellent with a super catalogue to choose from. The sires we have in New Zealand such as Bettor’s Delight, Art Major, Christian Cullen, Mach Three and American Ideal give buyers a great choice. The challenge is for new sires to make their mark and compete with the more proven ones.

What do you most look for in a yearling?

I like good conformation, a nice head and I like to listen to their hearts before making a decision to buy. A proven sire and good family in the pedigree also helps. I can allow for some conformation glitches. I know my beach training setup will allow for this. Not all top horses are perfect!

Is the quality of yearlings being presented for sale improving in presentation and breeding? Is there anything vendors should keep improving on?

No, I thought the yearlings presented at this year’s sales were fantastic and they were a credit to the vendors and preparers. There were plenty of well-bred yearlings to choose from.

Are there any improvements you would like to see happen for the yearling sales?

I thought condensing the Christchurch sale was a much better idea and kept buyer interest through to the end.

It meant we didn’t see third day sales drop away as in previous years.

How do you assess the state of the NZ breeding industry at present and what would you most like to see implemented to help it grow into the future?

We have to keep thinking of ways to keep breeders in the industry and therefore keep our racing numbers up. Once they get the numbers down it will be difficult to get them back up.

What is your assessment of our current racing scene?

The two major venues at Alexandra Park and Addington are cementing themselves in place with more secure futures, which is good. They both have to stay strong for the sake of the industry. But we have to find ways to generate more income for further stakes increases and to be able to stand alone and not look for hand outs. We must also keep finding ways to attract new punters to racing.

People also need to enjoy coming to the races. More skills and ideas are still needed in this area.

Is there anything we need to urgently address?

Widening the ownership base is vital. Syndicates are the way to go. There is huge potential with syndication and we need a more concerted effort in this area.

Looking ahead to the new season, what goals do you have for your training partnership with John?

I have some terrific horse flesh available for next season and naturally want to target as many of the big New Zealand and Australian races as we can.

BIG JIM Fee reduced by $1,000 In what must be the opportunity of the season, Big Jim – the US Two-Year-Old of the Year who retired as the fastest two-year-old of all time – will be standing at greatly reduced fee in this, his third season at stud.

We’re very appreciative to the Big Jim Syndicate managed by Seelster Farms for allowing us to stand this glamour stallion at NZ$3,500 (plus GST) in New Zealand and A$3,950 (incl GST) in Australia.

Big Jim’s first North American crop of yearlings will sell later this year. Ann Straatman, on behalf of Seelster Farms, had this to say about their first consignment of Big Jim yearlings: “Seelster just had our yearlings inspected for the fall sales here in Ontario. Our highest scoring colt ever (perfect size and conformation) is a Big Jim (first foal from Goddesss Princess). He is exceptional! But I have to say all of our Big Jim’s have blossomed into standouts. One thing that they all have that makes them so distinctive is Big Jim’s rump. The muscle on the top of their hind end is so developed and it is exactly the look that Big Jim has. I’m excited to offer them for sale this year.”

Goddess Princess (by Dragon Again) is a half-sister to 8 in 1:53 and is already the dam of the Adios elimination winner Goddess Justin (1:49.8, $436,968).

The other Big Jims in the Seelster 2014 yearling consignment are: • A colt from a Camluck mare who’s already the dam of 4 in 1:55 incl Deuce Seelster (1:49.8, $1,149,825) winner of eliminations of the Metro Stks and the Confederation and North America Cups.

• A filly from the Camluck mare Dreamfair Zoya (1:53, $124,933) who ranks as a full-sister to the former US Mare of the Year Dreamfair Eternal (1:49, $2,545,060).

• A filly from the Astreos daughter Mistreos (1:54.8) who is a half-sister to the outstanding Western Graduate (1:51.2, $1,305,072).

• A filly from the very smart Albert Albert filly The Patriot (2,1:53.8, $623,324) who won the Canadian Breeders Ch’ship.

There is little doubt that these quality types with such incredible depth to their pedigrees will make a real impression at the yearling sales this year – and provide Big Jim with a hugely important step towards siring success.

This can only add to the opportunity that the breeders of New Zealand and Australia are now presented with.

ALABAR NEWS

13

ALTA ORLANDO

COURAGE UNDER FIRE Continuing to impress

Courage Under Fire just continues to add to his siring resume year after year and this season is proving to be one of his all round best.

Always an extremely good sire of Cup Class horses, Courage Under Fire continued that trend with Pembrook Benny having his best season ever as well as both Smolda and Wartime Sweetheart both contesting the Inter Dominion Final.

However this season he has also had two of his sons win at Group level as two year olds.

Alta Orlando, who was purchased as a yearling by Neil Pilcher for $35,000, looked outstanding in five starts for Mark Purdon.

His three wins included the Group Two NZ Welcome Stakes, the Listed PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales Series Final and a heat of the NZ Sires Stakes.

As New Zealand’s leading stake earning two-year-old, he

is a real chance to be voted NZ Two Year Old Pacer of the Year.

Possessing a seemingly bottomless supply of strength and an amazing will to win, Alta Orlando not only impressed those who watched him but also his trainer Mark Purdon.

Purdon referred to Alta Orlando as a Derby horse in the making, which makes his achievements this season as two-year-old even more impressive.

Unfortunately for his connections Alta Orlando had his season cut short due to injury, however it is not career threatening.

Waves Of Fire became Courage Under Fire’s second stakeswinning two year old when he stormed home late to win the Group One Seymour Nursery Pace Final at Albion Park.

Trained by Susan Hunter, Waves Of Fire has shown plenty of speed in his career to date and looks to have a bright future.

Amongst Courage Under Fire’s three-year-olds, the very promising Mista Rush became a stakes winner when he scored in the Listed WA Country Derby.

As noted, the progeny of Courage Under Fire have had another good season in the Free For All ranks with Pembrook Benny leading the way.

Despite being a nine year old, Pembrook Benny had his best season, winning the Group One NZ FFA, Group Two City of Auckland FFA, Group Two Waikato Flying Mile and the Group Three Manukau Summer Cup. It is also worth noting that Courage Under Fire broodmares are beginning to prove their worth with Itz Bettor To Win winning the Group Three Kindergarten Stakes in New Zealand and Ameretto being Group One placed in Australia from just eight starts.

As more of his mares come of breeding age, the winners will undoubtedly continue to flow.

Chilli Palmer just one of Elsu’s Sizzling stakeswinners With his dazling bursts of speed, Chilli Palmer has certainly excited the Australasian Harness Racing community.

He created interest last season with his win in the VHRSC 3yo Cup, however it was his win in the Group One McInerney Ford Classic at Gloucester Park that really signalled his emergence.

Coming from second last with 400 metres to travel, his sensational sprint got him home. His speed was labelled Quinny-like in some circles.

If that run signalled his emergence, it was his win in the 4yo Bonanza at Melton that solidified his stature. Sprinting home over the top of Guaranteed, he won in 1:51.5 and recorded a last half of 53.4!

The encouraging aspect of Elsu’s season is it is not just Chilli Palmer flying the flag as he has also produced three other stakeswinners in Australia - Elrama (Christmas Gift - Gr.3), Reservation Road (Tabcorp Menangle Where Horses Fly Series Final - L) and Somnio Denario (Tabcorp Park Menangle Country Series Final - L).

Elsu continues to sire winner after winner and is still the most economically priced of any stallion inside the Top 10 of the All Age Australian Sires Premiership.

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ALABAR NEWS

ROYAL COUNSEL

Gotta Go Cullect ON THE RISE The siring career of Gotta Go Cullect is really starting to gain momentum.

SHADOW PLAY

A BRILLIANT STRIKE indeed With just a handful of two-year-olds from his first crop in New Zealand, Shadow Play – an absolute sensation with his first crop in North America - was always likely to fly under the radar.

Just one two-year-old to the races was a foreseeable outcome with such low numbers – but not so predictable was just how smart that one starter would be.

Brilliant Strike, racing out of the Graham and Paul Court stable, debuted as hot favourite at Invercargill in May. He was given no favours in this first start and was brave in holding on for third. Backing up at Winton a week later he did all the work and monstered a field of older pacers by nearly five lengths in 2:01.4 for 2400m on a slushy track.

He was put aside for a brief spell at that point with much bigger and brighter things on the agenda for the new season.

Co-trainer Graham Court had this to say about his protégé: “He’s a pretty smart horse with a good show of going places.

“He’s got speed, there’s no doubt about that, but what I like most about him is he’s a great stayer.

“He should really have won first up but things didn’t go his way and he was just beaten.

“In his second start he won easily, did a bit of work and went a good time on what was a pretty wet track on the day.

“So long as he keeps improving like I think he should, he’ll deserve his shot at the good three-year-olds next season.”

Brilliant Strike was bred by Graham Court and John Arbuckle from their Christian Cullen mare, Christian Star. He was sold to Lin Lang in April this year after having impressed in several trials. Mr Lang is based in Inner Mongolia in northern China and is the principal behind the Rider Horse Group responsible for the purchase of several hundred standardbreds and thoroughbreds out of New Zealand to help establish a higher quality of breeding and racing in the Inner Mongolia region.

However, according to Graham Court there’s very little chance that Brilliant Strike will find his way to China.

“Mr Lang loves New Zealand and our racing. He spent last NZ Cup week with us and really enjoyed it – he was in the winner’s circle when Terror To Love won and just loved it. He’s coming back this year and wanted to buy a horse that could race at the carnival. Finger’s crossed Brilliant Strike will be there – he certainly looks like he’ll be good enough.”

Footnote: Following on from his sensational first crop in North America, Shadow Play is off to a very solid start with his first Australasian crop with 10 individual two-yearold winners to date.

The son of Christian Cullen has taken the step from promising training reports to leaving a steady stream of winners every week, 12 sub-2:00 two and three-year-olds – and a Group 2 winning filly to boot.

So far this racing season he has sired 31 individual winners of over 50 races and $350,000 in stakes.

His best performers have been the Gr.2 Southland Oaks winner Royal Counsel, the high profile kiwi ex-pat Offtocullect (1:57.7, 7 wins from 11 starts), Al Raza (1:59.3, 4 wins in a row), Cullectomatic (5 wins from 10 starts) and the two-year-olds Cullect The Gold (1:58.7 winner at Auckland), Gotta Glow (a 1:55.9 winning filly) and Wegottarocketmachine ($115,000 sales-topping filly at the Ready To Run Sale that has won and looked the goods in her brief career to date).

We talked to the trainers of Royal Counsel and Al Raza.

It is easy to understand why Canterbury trainer Malcolm Shinn is developing a soft spot for the progeny of Gotta Go Cullect.

His classy filly Royal Counsel was outstanding winning this year’s Southland Oaks while under the care of Southland trainer Gordon Lee. To beat the likes of top fillies Raksdeal and Willow, was no mean feat.

“Royal Counsel is a great staying filly, very clean gaited, and I will aim her at all the mare’s races next season. I liked Gotta Go Cullect’s bloodlines of Christian Cullen’s speed over a dam who was one of our best and toughest fillies. Royal Counsel also has Seaswift Franco (11 wins) as her second dam to back up her breeding.”

Waiting in the wings for Shinn is Highland Hawk, another very promising two-yearold Gotta Go Cullect filly.

“I really like her. She has a lot of ability, can free- leg in her work and I think she could do really well next season. I am paying her up for the Nevele R Fillies Series.”

Highland Hawk was bought from Alabar at the Auckland Weanling Sale and is from the Badlands Hanover mare Highlands. Like Royal Counsel, she also has depth in her pedigree with the Auckland Cup winner Flight South featuring as her second dam.

Roxburgh trainer Geoff Knight also has a lot of time for the stock of Gotta Go Cullect.

Starring for him is the three-year-old filly Al Raza who has won her last four starts in a row – impressing every time and cruising to her most recent win in a 1:59.3 m.r. for 2200m.

“She is getting better and stronger all the time. She has got great manners, attitude and speed.

“I will rest her now and set her for next season’s mare’s races in the South.”

Al Raza is from the Mach Three mare Al Zahra and is raced by the Central Courage Syndicate. She was bred by Bill Keeler.

Geoff also has a high opinion of another Gotta Go Cullect three-year-old filly, Canderdel.

“She has as much ability at Al Raza but things just haven’t gone her way. I’ll be breeding a mare to Gotta Go Cullect.”

ALABAR NEWS

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