Crown Towers By Three In South Africa

While Coolmore Stud’s four time G1 winning stallion Camelot was out of luck in the weekend’s Investec sponsored classics at Epsom, the son of Montjeu did enjoy success in South Africa over the weekend thanks to his son Crown Towers.

The latter showed his class with a comprehensive defeat of some smart older rivals in a front running win in the Lifestyle MR 88 handicap, run over 1700m at Greyville on Saturday.

Jockey Richard Fourie skips away with ease aboard Crown Towers, Image: Candiese Marnewick

Jockey Richard Fourie bounced Crown Towers out smartly, and the pair went to the front – and stayed on to post a strong three length victory at the expense of Uncle Mo’s four-year-old son Our Coys, and the consistent Dynasty gelding Shogun.

Trained by Justin Snaith, the gelded Crown Towers had been a fluent winner on debut before recording a pair of runner up finishes.

Well held in three subsequent starts, the Nick Jonsson owned (in partnership with the estate of the Late Jack Mitchell), 3yo came into Saturday’s race off an unplaced effort in the G3 Byerley Turk, when finishing nearly eight lengths off the smart Tristful.

According to his trainer, Crown Towers (who was giving weight away) had pulled hard last time out when nothing when right.

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Originally knocked down to Mayfair Speculators for $280 000 at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Mill Park Stud, Crown Towers was later re-sold to current owners out of a Central Route Trading Sale, and Saturday’s win took his tally of wins to two from seven outings.

Crown Towers as a yearling

Saturday’s winner was produced by the smart Galileo mare Miss With Attitude – a five time winner up to 1600m and who ran third in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes.

Crown Towers hails from a high-class classic family with his relatives including Irish Oaks winner Shawanda and her ill-fated St Leger winning son Encke, and Shawanda’s three-quarter sister and G1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Shareta.

Copy: Thoroughbred South Africa News

Run Fox Run Oozes Class In Olympic Duel Romp

The hugely exciting Foxwedge filly Run Fox Run showed her class in no uncertain terms when romping home to a stylish victory in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Bred by Mill Park, Quality TB Joint Venture, the filly is now unbeaten having won each of her four starts in scintillating fashion.

Run Fox Run. Image: Chase Liebenberg Designs

Despite facing a big jump in class, the Brett Crawford trained Run Fox Run was all the rage for Saturday’s 1200m contest, and duly started a 17-20 tote favourite.

Under jockey Greg Cheyne, the 3yo was always up with the pace, and when asked her effort, Run Fox Run simply pulled clear, under a hands and heels to ride, to score an effortless five length win.

She`s very good!

RUN FOX RUN ( Foxwedge) demolished the listed Olympic Duel Stakes field today at #Kenilworth

Congrats #ItsARush
Rider: G Cheyne
Trainer: @bcrawfordracing
Breeder: @millparkstud
Owner(s): @kiesy_22 & @Ridgemont_SA Highlands (Nominee Craig Carey) pic.twitter.com/SNARep13WY

— Racing Guru (@RacingGuru) May 25, 2019

Trainer Crawford was at Scottsville, but assistant Barry Donnelly’s response was brief but so true

“She’s special hey!”

Seasoned jockey Cheyne was equally impressed.

“She was super impressive and coasted in. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden something with a cruising speed like this” he said.

Run Fox Run, pulling away with ease. Image: Chase Liebenberg Designs

Runner up Rush Hour Girl chased gamely, but was totally outmatched by the winner, with Listed Lady’s Bracelet winner Platinum Class finishing a well beaten third -6.25 lengths off Run Fox Run.

The latter claimed the R93 750 first prize in a time of 71.52, and looks destined for bigger and better things judging on the style of her win on Saturday.

Run Fox Run, who is owned by Ross and Craig Kieswetter and Ridgemont Highlands, was a $420 000 purchase from the draft of Mill Park Stud at the 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

She is the 14th stakes winner for Woodside Park’s G1 William Reid Stakes winner Foxwedge, whose Listed Thukela Handicap winning son Infamous Fox won at Turffontein last Sunday.

South Africa’s latest sensation was produced by the General Nediym mare Victory Cry, whose progeny also include ATC Heritage Stakes winner Guard Of Honour. Run Fox Run’s three time winning granddam Classic Status was a Marscay half-sister to G1 MRC Thousand Guineas winner Serious Speed.

Copy: Thoroughbred South Africa News

Fresh Booker key to Goodwood

Talented sprinting mare Booker will jump from barrier 15 for the Group 1 Goodwood on Saturday but co-trainer Simon Zahra isn't too fazed by the visitor's draw.

The four-year-old won the G1 Oakleigh Plate back in February from barrier 14 when carrying 52kg and now returns to the races after two months on the sidelines.

In The Goodwood, Booker must share top weight with Sangster Stakes-winning mare Spright, but Zahra explains he takes extra confidence from her first-up record.

"All her form has suggested her fresh record is her best, even her first two runs," Zahra said on Tuesday.

"She didn't come out of the Newmarket Handicap like we'd hoped, so we gave her a few weeks up at the farm on the grass just to recover.

"We've had a perfect prep since she's returned back to the stables, she had a couple of nice jumpouts and she'll have a good gallop on the grass tomorrow morning and that should just tighten her up for Saturday.

"She's in great shape and didn't lose a lot of residual fitness from that freshen up, she's forward enough to run a big race."

Booker will be ridden by a jockey she's had a good association with in the past, combining to win two Stakes races when she was a three-year-old.

"We've got Dwayne Dunn aboard, he rides Adelaide extremely well, if we can get a good run in transit, we're in with a good chance," Zahra explained.

"We'll just let her find her feet, I think she is better ridden with cover to go to sleep and then she can build from the 600m.

"Once she gets to her top, her sectionals are outstanding."

Talented sprinting mare Booker will jump from barrier 15 for the Group 1 Goodwood on Saturday but co-trainer Simon Zahra isn't too fazed by the visitor's draw. https://t.co/m9mo25cxGk pic.twitter.com/wiEflJ8UsG

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 15, 2019

Given Booker has not had a strenuous autumn campaign by any means, Zahra says the option to head north for the Queensland Carnival remains open.

"Maybe Queensland (next) if she performs well on Saturday," he said.

"A race like the Stradbroke (is an option), she only had two runs earlier in the autumn so she's not over-raced for this campaign, and if she goes up there she can have a good spell up there as well."

News: Racing.com

Inglis Easter Stars for Mill Park

The Mill Park brand is synonymous with quality and what better place to bring the best of the best than to the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale (April 9 and 10) at Riverside Stables in Sydney.

The Watson family owned and run Mill Park Stud might be based in South Australia, but their reputation for producing elite thoroughbreds extends right around Australia and beyond.

Top class sprinting mare Booker (above) is the latest Group I winner to add her name to the Mill Park honour roll after capturing the Group I MRC Oakleigh Plate. She confirmed her status as an elite speedster when overcoming a wide draw to score a powerful three-quarter length win in the prestigious 1100 metre sprint.

A $230,000 Inglis Premier purchase from the Mill Park draft at Inglis Premier in 2016, Booker has returned over $800,000 in prizemoney and will be worth even more than that as a broodmare prospect when her racing days are done.

Booker is the latest in a long line of Group I winners raised by Mill Park that includes Southern Speed, Rebel Raider, Serious Speed, Captain Sonador, Go Indy Go , Happy Trails and $3.8 million earner Fawkner, whose half-brother will be offered by Mill Park at Inglis Easter along with five other top class youngsters.

Consigned as Lot 417, the More Than Ready (USA) colt (above) is from Group III winning Danewin mare Dane Belltar, who has the perfect record of seven foals to race all winners highlighted by triple Group I winner Fawkner, $1.1 million earning Group II winner Tanby and Group II placed Viking Star.

Another highlight lot from a stellar producer is Lot 434, a stunning Tavistock filly (below) from blue-blooded Zabeel mare Elegant Eagle(NZ), a sister to the dam of Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed from the family of Golden Slipper winner Ha Ha.

This family has delivered much success for Mill Park and Elegant Eagle has the runs on the board as the dam of Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Go Indy Go, Group III winning sprinter Essay Raider and Group III placed Battle Brewing. The female members of this family are all being bred to the best stallions, so this is a pedigree that is only going to keep improving making this girl a real gem for investors looking beyond her racing career.

First into the ring for Mill Park will be Lot 73, a colt (below) by super popular young sire Brazen Beau from Group III winning Exceed and Excel mare Just Discreet, who comes from the iconic 'Discreet' family nurtured by renowned South Australian breeder David Peacock.

Just Discreet is a half-sister to Group I winner Maybe Discreet and closely related to Group II winner Serenely Discreet. This is her second foal and her first, a two year-old filly by Sepoy called Seemingly Discreet, is showing promise with a fourth and third at her first two starts in strong provincial Victorian maidens.

The late Sebring features as the sire of Lot 132, a handsome bay colt (above) from Group II placed Galileo (IRE) mare Miss With Attitude, whose first two foals to race are both winners.

Miss With Attitude is a half-sister to stakes-placed Oui Si Attitude, who is the dam of a very promising three year-old So You Think filly called So We Are, who has won twice this year followed by second in the Listed SAJC Laelia Stakes at Morphettville.

Written Tycoon is the sire of Mill Park's current pin-up girl Booker and he is also the sire of the next two featured lots, both powerhouse chestnut colts, just like their sire.

Lot 308 is a half-brother (above) to Group III placed It's a Myth and is the third foal of winning Redoute's Choice mare The Good Wife, a half-sister to four time Group I winner and $2million earner Divine Madonna and Group III winner Blessum. It's a prolific Black Type family that has also produced Group III winner Angel of Mercy and stakes-winner Maternal.

Lot 326 is a half-brother (above) to stakes-winner Guard Of Honour from good producing General Nediym mare Victory Cry, who has three winners from four to race.

A sibling to stakes-winners Reldas and Victory Chant, Victory Cry comes from the family of Group I winner Serious Speed and Group II winner Majestic Music. This colt's pedigree features a double cross of Golden Slipper winner Marscay as does Written Tycoon's Group I winner Tycoon Tara and his stakes-winner Danger Close.

Bluebloods - Mill Park's Inglis Easter Preview

Mill Park Stud has too many amazing racetrack graduates to list, however, their recent Inglis-catalogued winners include Naafer (Gr.1 placed winner sold at Easter), stakes winner Reldas, and stakes placed Smart Manoeuvre, Cappadocia, Girl Sunday, and Viking Star. The Mill Park paddocks have also produced the likes of Gr1 winners Fawkner, Happy Trails, Go Indy Go, Captain Sonador, Devil Moon, Southern Speed, and Rebel Raider.

Bluebloods spoke to Chris Watson about their upcoming 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft of six yearlings, of which five are colts. “Mill Park are pleased with this draft, with all six yearlings having very current and active pedigrees.”

Click on the below image to read the complete article.

Zoustar Filly Headlines Premier Results

McEvoy takes shine to Zoustar filly Trainer Tony McEvoy, who bought a filly by Zoustar earlier in the session, believes the similarities between his brilliant filly Sunlight and his latest acquisition by the Widden Stud-based sire is almost uncanny.

Such is his belief in the physique and conformation of the filly he says she is likely to be up and running in the early juvenile races later this year.

“What a powerful, fast filly,” McEvoy said about his eighth purchase of the week.

“It is a cliche but Sunlight looked like that. All she wanted to do was run, she is full of fast-twitch fibre and she is going to be a ‘sit and steer’.

“She is a two-year-old, absolutely, and you’ll see her in October. She is a star of the future.”

McEvoy also made comparisons with another stablemate, this season’s BRC B J McLachlan Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) winner Sun City (Zoustar).

“They are not big horses but they are all power and just when she walked, it was all movement, she was like a machine with how everything fitted in,” he said.

“She is also off a beautiful farm in Mill Park, not many people do it better than them, and she is a beauty.”

The underbidder, Yulong Investments, are likely to buy back into the filly, who was the only daughter of Zoustar catalogued at the sale.

Catalogued as Lot 399, the filly is the second foal out of five-time winning mare Ravenous Lass (Stratum), who in turn is a half-sister to the juvenile winner and Group 2 winner San Nicasio (Hard Spun).

Mill Park’s Chris Watson was rewarded in the sales ring after electing to target the Premier Sale with the Zoustar filly rather than send her to sales earlier in the year.

“She is an early, forward style of filly but we thought we would place her in a sale where she would be a real standout,” Watson told ANZ Bloodstock News.

“We hoped it would work out that way and it has.”

Later on in the afternoon, Mill Park Stud also sold an I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) colt for $310,000 to Hong Kong agent Willie Leung of Magus Equine. The colt was Offered as Lot 411.

At the end of the Book 1 Premier Sale, Mill Park Stud sold nine lots for $1,372,000 at an average of $152,444.

Watson reiterated the view shared by many vendors this week in that high-quality yearlings were being well found by buyers and selling for above expectations.

“We couldn’t be happier. The nice horses are well sought after and if you have got them here in 100 per cent fashion they have been really well received.”

Complete Results:

Lot 61: Toronado x Bahamas colt, $180,000 - Hermitage Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd

Lot 98: Shooting To Win x Carolina Bella colt, $70,000 - T Ireland

Lot 157: So You Think x Eagles Destiny colt, $155,000 - RM Racing

Lot 182: Foxwedge x Family Portrait filly, Passed In

Lot 245: Dissident x Khandallah colt, $110,000 - LM & PJ Macdonald

Lot 263: All Too Hard x Lassie Mactavish filly, $45,000 - Chris Bieg Racing

Lot 348: Starspangledbanner x Noondie colt, $80,000 - J Yeaman

Lot 399: Zoustar x Ravenous Lass filly, $380,000 - McEvoy Mitchell Racing

Lot 411: I Am Invincible x Resonates colt, $310,000 - R Ngai

Lot 495: Free Eagle x Third Day colt, $42,000 - DJI Bloodstock

All Too Hard Mare Seeking Kiwi Black Type

A plan to chase black type with Sasso Corbaro is now coming together nicely for the former Australian mare.

The daughter of All Too Hard was originally set to contest the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie last month for Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, but the mission was abandoned because of a setback.

However, her owners, China Horse Club Racing, decided to press ahead with a bid to boost her value with black type in New Zealand and sent her to Matamata trainer Jamie Richards, who produced her for an impressive successful New Zealand debut at Otaki last Saturday.

"She came over two or three weeks ago with the idea of chasing black type and on Saturday's run she showed she should be up to it,'' Richards said.

''We're still getting to know her. She's a big mare but she's certainly got a lot of ability."

Richards plans to start Sasso Corbaro next in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on March 16.

Sasso Corbaro won four races and was three times placed in 12 starts for Lees with her most recent Australian win being over 1200m at Caloundra on Boxing Day. She had been taken to Queensland in pursuit of the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300m), in which she finished among the tailenders on January 12.

Her earlier performances included a decisive win at Randwick and two unsuccessful attempts at black type in New South Wales.

''She's the first horse we've had in the stable for China Horse Club and it's a great start with them,'' Richards said.

''It was a really good win, to miss the kick like she did and come right down the outside and beat them hands down. We're not often sent horses like her to try and gain some black type."

Sasso Corbaro was one of three winners for Richards and led into the fifth Group One win for stable star Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic (1600m) at Otaki, while at Matamata the stable provided the quinella in the Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) with Yourdeel and Aotea Lad.

Richards reports that Melody Belle, who could be in line for a wildcard berth in the A$5 million All Star Mile, has come through her massive effort at Otaki in good order.

"We're working on a couple of options for her,'' he said. ''More than likely she will go out for a spell, but we'll finalise everything in the next few days.''

Yourdeel and Aotea Lad will press on for the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on March 9 and Richards hasn't discounted stablemate Equinox, a debut winner at Trentham, also starting in the feature, despite finishing fifth of six in the Waikato Stud Slipper.

"Equinox is a lot better on good ground and he was tripped up by the ground on Saturday,'' Richards said.

''We'll work him up and see how he goes. He'll need to work really well to press on for the Sistema, but he's still in contention at this stage.''- NZ Racing Desk

Mill Park Quality to Shine at Premier

Fresh from a super successful sale at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, leading South Australian vendors Mill Park are now focused on the 2019 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale at the refurbished Oaklands complex in Victoria.

The Watson family run Mill Park is a name synonymous with quality and the list of superior runners raised on their vast paddocks is a virtual who's who of Australian racing and includes $3.8 million earner and Caulfield Cup hero Fawkner, who was an Inglis Premier graduate sold for $70,000 in 2009.

Other Mill Park raised or sold Group I superstars include Southern Speed, Happy Trails, Rebel Raider, Serious Speed, Captain Sonador and Go Indy Go…. the list goes on.

Current stakes horses such as Booker and Mickey Blue Eyes, who both have siblings to be offered at Premier, as well as Pretty Punk, All Too Huiying, Waging War, Gogo Grace and Heart of a Lion are bringing a new chapter of success.

Also stamping himself as a super exciting prospect is the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained two year-old Dawn Passage, a brilliant debut winner at Randwick on Australia Day and then an unlucky fast closing third in the $2million Inglis Millennium.

A $150,000 Inglis Premier purchase for his trainers last year from the Mill Park draft, the Dawn Approach (IRE) colt looks a star in the making.

Mill Park will present 11 yearlings at Inglis Premier as listed below and see them at Barn B Stables 55 – 66.

Lot 61 Colt Toronado (IRE) x Bahamas, by Teofilo (IRE)

First foal of Group III placed winner and has a double cross of champion sire Sadler's Wells 3 x 4.

Lot 98 Colt Shooting to Win x Carolina Bella by Zabeel

Half-brother to stakes-winner Mickey Blue Eyes.

Lot 157 Colt So You Think x Eagles Destiny, by Snippetson

Fourth foal of a half-sister to the dams of Group I MRC Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed and Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Go Indy Go. From the family of Golden Slipper winner Ha Ha.

Lot 182 Filly Foxwedge x Family Portrait, by Excellent Art (GB)

Third foal of stakes-placed Family Portrait from the family of Group winners Fontiton and Tequila Time.

Lot 183 Colt All Too Hard x Fast and Loose, by Fastnet Rock

Third foal of a winning three-quarter sister to Group II winner Catapulted from the family of Group I winner Ihtsahymn.

Lot 245 Colt Dissident x Khandallah, by Kitten's Joy (USA)

This colt has an important update as he is a half-brother to the very promising Dalakhani (IRE) two year-old Dalasan, who has won impressively at Morphettville at his only two starts to date for the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas stable.

Lot 263 Filly All Too Hard x Lassie Mactavish, by More Than Ready (USA)

Half-sister to Group I placed Platinum Balos.

Lot 348 Colt Starspangledbanner x Noondie, by Flying Spur

Half-brother to Group 1 winner Booker, a winner of over $800,000 in prizemoney and has a double cross of champion sire Danehill.

Lot 399 Filly Zoustar x Ravenous Lass, by Stratum

Second foal of brilliantly fast Melbourne metro winner Ravenous Lass, a half-sister to Group II winner San Nicasio and has a double cross of champion sire Redoute's Choice.

Lot 411 Colt I Am Invincible x Resonates, by Teofilo (IRE)

First foal of stakes-winner Resonates. One of only five colts in this sale by outstanding sire I Am Invincible.

Lot 495 Colt Free Eagle (IRE) x Third Day, by Zabeel

Half-brother to two winners with promising three year-old Third Coming scoring at Werribee since the catalogue went to print. He led all the way to win easily after finishing second at his first two starts. From the first crop of High Chaparral's Group I winning son Free Eagle.

Unbeaten Run Continues For Run Fox Run

Fastnet Rock stallion Foxwedge, who will stand at Woodside Park in 2019, had a very impressive winner at Kenilworth on Saturday.

His 3yo daughter Run Fox Run made it two wins from as many outings when romping home over 1000m for trainer Brett Crawford, jockey Anton Marcus and owners Craig and Ross Kieswetter and Ridgemont Highlands.

Sent off the 18-10 tote favourite for the Next Meeting Kenilworth 16 February 2019 FM 78 handicap for fillies and mares, Run Fox Run was always up with the pace in the 1000m sprint, and, coming to the 400m looked a hard horse to beat.

She duly cruised home to register a 1.75 length win –having scored an equally impressive win on debut, when skating home by two lengths over 1000 metres.

Very excited for the connections of the #MillParkRaised Run Fox Run, unbeaten after two starts in SAF for @bcrawfordracing. The daughter of @Woodside_Park’s Foxwedge was sold @inglis_sales Easter and we will offer a Written Tycoon half bro this year 🏇🏻💨 @Aushorse_TBA @SAbreeders pic.twitter.com/16wULUMQi9

— Mill Park Stud (@millparkstud) February 10, 2019

A $420 000 buy from the draft of Mill Park Stud at the 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Run Fox Run was produced by General Nediym mare Victory Cry and is, as such, a half-sister to ATC Heritage Stakes winner Guard Of Honour.

Mill Park Stud will consigned a Written Tycoon half-brother to Run Fox Run at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling as Lot 326.

Copy: Thoroughbred South African News

Scintillating Debut By Dawn Approach Colt at Randwick

Darley shuttler Dawn Approach (IRE) may have found the big horse he has been searching for with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt Dawn Passage who made an auspicious debut over 1000 metres at Randwick on Australia Day.

The stable was also represented by the better fancied Espaaniyah but when the Inglis Banner winner began to retreat, Dawn Passage was just warming up for Blake Shinn to credit the popular jockey with the perfect welcome back after a long time on the sidelines due to a serious neck injury.

Settled back worse than midfield, Dawn Passage displayed a brilliant turn of foot when balanced up in the straight to win running away by three and a quarter lengths from Starspangledbanner's half-brother Aussie (Snitzel) with Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) back in third. (photos Steve Hart )

"He is a lovely colt," Waterhouse told AAP.

"There are a lot of first-time owners in him and they will have a lot of fun.

"This would only happen in Australia. It's a great country we live in."

If you haven’t had a chance to watch the impressive @atc_races victory today of #MillParkRaised, @inglis_sales Premier sold Dawn Passage - do yourself a favour & take a look👇🏻! Congrats to @GaiWaterhouse1, Adrian Bott, @blake_shinn & the connections 🏇🏻🎉🍾🥂 @TDNAusNZ @SAbreeders pic.twitter.com/Yra3yBTjWk

— Mill Park Stud (@millparkstud) January 26, 2019

After spending months in a neck brace, Blake Shinn said he felt blessed to be back riding.

"It's been a long road back. I've done a lot of work and I've had a lot of support," he said

"I believe in fate and it was like I had someone riding with me.

Another of the hallowed grounds of Mill Park Stud, Dawn Passage was purchased by A Bott / G Waterhouse / Blue Sky Bloodstock for $150,000 at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

A half-brother to the G3 SAJC Jansz Stakes winner Dinkum Diamond (Keep The Faith), Dawn Passage is the eighth foal and the sixth winner for the now pensioned Raja Lane.

The daughter of Devaraja was a crack racemare earning over $428,000 with seven wins highlighted by the G3 SAJC Dermody Stakes.

Her final foal is a yearling colt by Rebel Raider that will sell as Lot 401 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

Four-time Group 1 winner Dawn Approach (IRE) clocked in as the sixth leading first-crop sire last season with several promising types, but he attracted just 36 mares last spring and in this cutthroat world his future south of the equator may well depend on the likes of Dawn Passage earning black-type.

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