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Home By Midnight winning at Ellerslie last year. Pic Trish Dunell...
February 27, 2020Damian Lane ticks off Catalyst for Guineas
Damian Lane has given star three-year-old Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma) his seal of approval ahead of the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. Lane rode Catalyst in his final gallop at Mornington on Wednesday. It was the second time he had partnered the gelding in work and Saturday’s Group One over 1600m will be his first ride under race conditions. Lane was suspended when James McDonald rode Catalyst into second place behind Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) in the CS Hayes Stakes (1400...
February 27, 2020Catalyst baying for blood in Guineas
Ding, ding. Bring on round two. That is the message from trainer Clayton Chipperfield as star Kiwi three-year-old Catalyst prepares to avenge his last-start defeat to Queenslander Alligator Blood when the pair clash in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. In a race for the ages, Alligator Blood prevailed by a short head over Catalyst in the Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) earlier this month after an enthralling length-of-the-straight battle at Flemington, reminiscent of two...
February 26, 2020Catalyst gains All Star start
Star New Zealand gallopers Melody Belle and Catalyst have secured a start in the A$5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) after polling was closed for the rich race. The top 10 vote getters, headed by Alligator Blood, secured spots in the race at Caulfield on March 14, while five wildcards are still to be announced. The 10 horses to gain places through the public vote in order are: Alligator Blood, Melody Belle, Kolding, Star Missile, Dalasan, Catalyst, Mr Quickie, Aristia, Heart Of Puissance and Super...
February 21, 2020Battle lost but war far from over for Catalyst
While rugged Queenslander Alligator Blood may have taken out the first skirmish with classy New Zealand contender Catalyst, Kiwi trainer Clayton Chipperfield is confident his star can still win the war when the pair clash again in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) in a fortnight. In an enthralling length-of-the-straight battle, which more than lived up to the pre-race hype, Alligator Blood withstood the ominous challenge from Catalyst by the barest of margins in Saturday’s Gr.3 CS Hayes Stak...
February 17, 2020Catalyst primed for bold Australian debut
Rick Williams is predicting a career-best performance from star New Zealand three-year-old Catalyst in Saturday's Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. Williams has guided the racing stock of Cambridge's The Oaks Stud for Queensland owner Dick Karreman for the past 18 years, overseeing the career of champion mare Seachange among a host of Group One winners. Karreman was also a part-owner of five-time Group One winner Darci Brahma, who has forged a successful stallion career at The Oaks Stu...
February 13, 2020Foaling Manager required
The Oaks Stud have a position available for an experienced, dedicated Foaling Manager to foal down approximately 60 – 70 mares per season. This position involves working closely with our Broodmare Manager and the initial care of new born foals. The successful applicant will ideally have at least 5 years experience foaling down mares Competitive salary package and excellent on farm accommodation provided. Starting date can be negotiated. To apply, plea...
February 13, 2020Kiwi invaders touch down in Melbourne
The Kiwi assault on next month’s A$5million All-Star Mile (1600m) has begun, with contenders Catalyst and Melody Belle arriving in Melbourne on Sunday. The pair have settled in well according to their connections and are getting ready for their respective first-up targets in Australia. Catalyst’s trainer Clayton Chipperfield has crossed the Tasman with his charge and said he has taken no ill-effects from his first trip to Australia. “He and Melody Belle were beside each other 90 percent of...
February 11, 2020Well-bred Sinarahma lands Wairarapa Breeders'
Five-year-old mare Sinarahma landed some valuable black-type when taking out the Listed Property Brokers Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m) at Tauherenikau on Thursday. The Allan Sharrock-trained daughter of Darci Brahma had been luckless at her previous outing at Trentham and despite covering ground in the mid-stages, sustained a long-run to down Vee Cece and Vichy, both of whom closed well late. The New Plymouth conditioner prepared Sinarahma’s dam, Shez Sinsational, to win fo...
February 7, 2020Jockey change leaves Price a little guilty
Jockey changes happen all the time, but there's one this week that's left trainer Mick Price feeling a little guilty. Champion jockey Damien Oliver will replace Zac Spain on Frondeur in Saturday's Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes, with Price labelling the talented three-year-old as one that has black-type quality. Spain rode Frondeur (Roc de Cambes) to a comfortable victory at Pakenham in a Benchmark 64 last start, while Dean Holland rode her when she strutted to a 3.5-length win on debut. But Oliver ...
February 5, 2020Caulfield win for Kiwi mare
Caulfield win for kiwi mare the familiar colours of The Oaks Stud were in the winner’s circle at Caulfield on Saturday. Five-year-old mare Paint The Town Two (NZ) (Darci Brahma) hit the front in the IVE Print Handicap (1600m) with 200m to go and never looked in doubt, going on to win by a clear length over thousand Wishes (Lope de Vega). “Bevan Laming (trainer) gave me a call this morning and said she is not your typical New Zealand type of mare,” jockey Dwayne Dunn said. “She has got a ...
February 5, 2020Group aspirations for The Precious One
Regally-bred mare The Precious One already has a stakes scalp to her name, but her connections are on the hunt for an elusive Group victory before they retire her to the broodmare paddock. The daughter of Darci Brahma and dual Group One winner The Jewel, The Precious One’s broodmare career is already assured, however, trainer Claire Anderton believes she is capable of a Group win. The Precious One recorded her maiden stakes victory in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day...
February 4, 2020Blanket finish to Oaks Prelude
The judge at New Plymouth had his work cut out on Saturday when less than half a length separated six of the fillies engaged in the Listed Fasttrack Insurance Oaks Prelude (1800m) at the finish line. In a desperate finish it was Cambridge visitor Seven Seas (Roc de Cambes) who got in the deciding stride as she stormed home out wide to down the gallant Nothing Compares, who had disputed the pace throughout, by a nose with Heart Of The Ocean a head back in third, just ahead of Amal Rose. The Oaks ...
February 3, 2020Amazing Star dazzles for Purton and Ting at the Valley
Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma) put in a dazzling performance to take the Class 2 Stubbs Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday and continue the fine form of trainer Jimmy Ting. The improving five-year-old destroyed his rivals; a fast break to lead, followed by a strong middle section, had them working hard to keep tabs, and a determined drive to the line sealed a length and three-quarter success for the 1.4 favourite. “He’s been going well this season and he did it the hard way ton...
January 31, 2020Australian campaign looms for Harlech
Consistent three-year-old Harlech (Darci Brahma) has been sent for a small break after his fourth-placing in the Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. It was the first time the consistent colt finished outside the top three this season, having won the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) and placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). Michael Moroney, who trains the colt in partnership with Pam Gerard, said...
January 29, 2020New Zealand swansong for Harlech
Talented three-year-old Harlech will likely have his last start in New Zealand this season when he lines-up in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained colt is set to head for a freshen-up after this weekend’s rich feature, having won two of his six starts this term and finishing runner-up in his four other contests. The son of Darci Brahma took out the Gr.2 Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) in October before finishing runner-up i...
January 22, 2020Catalyst to head sales boost for The Oaks Stud
The excitement over the Karaka Million twilight meeting is already high for The Oaks Stud, but it could provide an even greater boost for the Cambridge establishment leading into this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka. One of the Ellerslie features on Saturday, the Gr.3 Henley Park Mr Tiz Trophy (1200m, will mark the reappearance of Catalyst, New Zealand’s leading three-year-old who was bred and is raced by The Oaks Stud’s Queensland-based owner Dick Karreman....
January 20, 2020Te Akau take Telegraph with Avantage
Feisty mare Avantage showed all her fighting qualities when she overcame a wide barrier and a plucky southern rival to take out the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham. Prepared by Jamie Richards for owners the Te Akau Avantage syndicate, the Fastnet Rock four-year-old gained a measure of revenge for the Matamata stable after outstanding racemare Melody Belle was defeated in the 2019 edition of the event. Richards and the Te Akau team put their faith in the hands of regular rider O...
January 20, 2020Vote for Catalyst!
Please vote for Catalyst to help him gain a start in the 2020 All-Star Mile, to be run on the 14th March at Caulfied.What is the all-star mile? The All-Star Mile is a race like no other in Australia, with the fans choosing the horses that will compete – their ‘All Stars’. With a winner’s cheque for $2.25m and an overall prize purse of $5m, it is officially the richest mile race in the world. The All-Star Mile will be rotated around Melbourne’s three premier racetracks, Flemington, Caul...
January 16, 2020Australian-bound Kiwis impress at Matamata
Exciting kiwi gallopers Te Akau Shark and Catalyst had their first hit-out of the year at the Matamata trials on Tuesday and they pleased their connections with their efforts in their 1000m heat. Catalyst jumped well and settled in the one-one for jockey Troy Harris, while Te Akau Shark sat three back on the fence for the majority of the trip in the hands of Michael McNab. A gap opened up nicely for Catalyst turning for home and he ran away to a two length victory over Te Akau Shark. Trainer Cla...
January 14, 2020Perfect draw for Harlech
Matamata trainer Pam Gerard had been hoping for a turn of luck with barrier draws ahead of Trentham’s feature meeting on Saturday, and her prayers were answered. Gerard, who trains in partnership with Michael Moroney, will have two strong chances in Group races on Saturday and she said she was over the moon with their draws. Exciting three-year-old Harlech (Darci Brahma) will jump from the ace barrier in the Gr.1 Woodridge Homes Levin Classic (1600m), while promising stayer Masetto has drawn g...
January 8, 2020Catalyst to step out at trials next week
Top three-year-old Catalyst will make his first public appearance since Group One success at Riccarton when he competes at the Matamata trials next week. The son of Darci Brahma lived right up to expectations when registering his fifth win from six starts with a dominant display in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at the New Zealand Cup meeting on November 9 and he has thrived during his recent spell. “He had three weeks off when he came back from Christchurch and put on 23kgs in the ...
January 6, 2020Precious victory for regally-bred mare
Wingatui trainer Claire Anderton got the Christmas present she wanted this year, it was just a day late. Stable star The Precious One (Darci Brahma) had been knocking on the door at stakes level for some time and the five-year-old mare was able to deliver for her connections on Boxing Day when recording her breakthrough black-type win in the Listed Southern Wide Realty Hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui. She beat home fellow local Raise You Ten by 1-1/2 lengths, with a further 1-1/2 lengths back...
December 30, 2019Embers to debut at Ellerslie
Tony Pike will have four runners at the Ellerslie's Boxing Day meeting, with Embers, a well-bred two-year-old filly by Darci Brahma (pictured), set to debut in the Stella Artois 1100. “She looks a really nice filly,” Pike said. “We were tempted to run her at Taranaki on Friday for an easy kill, but lucky we didn’t as they cancelled that race. “I threw a nom in for Ellerslie and she’s come up with the perfect gate for a two-year-old on debut in barrier two. “She’s only had the t...
December 24, 2019Star ready to fulfil his potential
Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma) has had his fair share of hiccups along the way but his four-and-a-half length win last night in the Class 3 Venus Handicap (1200m) in Hong Kong highlighted Zac Purton’s strong opinion of him. “He’s always shown that he has had that type of ability but he’s been plagued with a lot of issues throughout his career,” Purton said of the son of Darci Brahma. “But the time off has given him time to develop, strengthen up and mature a bit more and I think we...
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