February started with a couple of good (but frustrating) 2nd placings in town!
Crackalacka was given a great ride by apprentice Molly Bourke at Canterbury on the 10th February. From the outside barrier, Cracka got into a beautiful position just behind the speed. She got around heels and into the clear turning for home then hit the front, only to be run down in the final stride!
The following Wednesday 15th February, The Guru reunited with Brock Ryan and stepped up to 1800m at the Kensington track. Again given a great ride, Guru hit the front in the straight and battled hard holding off challengers but couldn’t quite stave off the momentum of the winner, Kirkeby.
We returned to Sapphire Coast on the 20th February and it looked like our run of 2nd’s was going to continue. Our first runner for the day, Mystic Diva came from last and hit the line strongly on debut to reel in all but the winner! In the same race, Inspired Dream was caught wide throughout but was gallant in finishing 4th.
Our fortunes changed when the ultra-honest Hope Uno came from last up the cutaway to win the “Joseph & Jones Racing Handicap” for Molly Bourke. while Galactic Rock ran a much improved race to finish 4th behind his stable mate.
The day got even better with the very handsome and cheeky grey, Skaifee bolting in the final race of the day for Jess Taylor!
Crackalacka lined up in the first heat of the Provincial and Midway Championships at Kembla on the 23rd February. Drawing the extreme outside in a capacity field, Cracka was again given a gem of a ride by Molly Bourke. She looked a winning chance at stages in the straight then fought on tenaciously under her big weight to finish 3rd. Cracka will have another attempt to qualify for the $500k final in the Kembla Grange heat on the 11th March.
Foxtrot Bravo produced a better effort when finishing 4th at Gosford on the 18th February. In doing so he surpassed $100k in prizemoney!
Eberlee was also very honest in finishing 4th at Goulburn on the 16th February.
It was a busy month at the trials and jump outs with a number of the team building their fitness and furthering their education.
The Sales focus shifted to the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on the 12th – 14th February. We came home with another two babies to add to the team.
- A Lean Mean Machine colt “Mac” out of a Charge Forward mare, Hamsey for $20k and
- A Yes Yes Yes filly “Isla” out an I Am Invincible mare for $22k
Ownership opportunities are available in both these yearlings … see the Ownership Opportunities section below for details.
This month I head to Adelaide for the Magic Millions Yearling sale on the 14th & 15th March whilst Kooringal Stud will be selling a number of yearlings online through the Inglis Digital Sale concluding on the 22nd March. Then we move on to the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale on the 23rd April