Spring has finally arrived and brought a welcome change in the weather. August was an exceptionally wet month, and then we had gale-force winds to contend with.
A big shout out and thank you to our staff who turn up and work hard in these testing conditions. Both our ground staff and riders are to be commended on their work ethic and dedication to our horses as conditions have been far from pleasant to work in.
Highlights
The wet weather also meant a lot of race meeting cancellations, which is very frustrating for everyone involved, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding with last-minute changes to racing and trial plans.
August also kicked off the new racing season, and we are already on the winners’ board courtesy of a dominant performance by Prized Alwyns, who scored by over 2 ½ lengths at the Canberra Acton track at the juicy odds of 80/1 when ridden to perfection by Louise Day.
Prized Alwyns had commenced her racing career with us before spending time with a couple of other trainers. She returned to us at the beginning of August and has thrived since being back at Kembla.
We almost made it two big-priced winners in the space of 8 days when Pitch N Toss went within a flared nostril of winning a Kembla Super Maiden starting at 150/1!
Winnie had the blinkers on for the first time and travelled nicely throughout. She chased very hard for Jess Taylor only to be denied by the barest of margins. She is by Curata Storm, a breed that typically takes time to mature and does best over a longer trip.
This was our second x 2nd placing in a Super Maiden in 2 days following Lady Yarrow’s exceptional first up effort at Wagga. Harriet began much better than she had been doing and settled in a nice position behind the leaders. She fought hard against the well supported favourite all the way down the straight to just miss by a short half neck. Harriet showed good ability in her first preparation and has returned in great order with added maturity. It shouldn’t take long to knock off her Maiden win.
Brundee Tom (the half-brother the Prized Alwyns) has shown a lot of heart and ability in his first preparation, placing at his past three starts. Tommy finished 3rd in a Super Maiden at Moruya on the 17th March. He was under hard riding mid race but still found the line bravely. Next up at Kembla, Tommy had to go back to last to obtain cover but again worked home strongly to finish 3rd in a Midway Maiden beaten only a length. He was unlucky not to finish 2nd. Tommy is from the first crop of Sandbar We have a number of his progeny in the stables and I am super impressed with their attitudes, constitution and trainability.
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Tartana was honest as always, finishing 4th at Kembla on the 30th August in a sit and sprint on a track that was drying out a bit too much for her liking whilst Landmark Lady produced a career best effort finishing 4th at Moruya over 1650m.
Stable star, Direct Fire has returned in great order as we head towards the Big / Little Dance on the 4th November. He trialled nicely at Kembla on the 1st September.
You may have noticed a bigger presence of our stable on social media in recent weeks. I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.
We have joined Dusty Hooves Media who have taken on the responsibility of updating our social media and website (our website is finally back up and operational!). We hope you enjoy the snippets of stable life, race and trial days etc across all social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok.
Racing Reports
Prized Alwyns returned to the stables at the beginning of August arriving mid preparation and in good order. Ally settled back into life at Kembla without fuss and produced an outstanding effort when lining up on the Canberra Acton track for her first start back for the stable. Ridden by Louise Day, Ally began well and took up a forward position. Shortly after straightening, she went straight past the leader to power away for a dominant win by 2.6 lengths.
A lovely daughter of Prized Icon, Ally was always going to appreciate stepping up in distance as she matured. Now that she has broken through, she can add further wins to her record. She is likely to race at Canberra on the 5th August or Hawkesbury on the 6th August.
Pitch ‘N Toss was quite timid in amongst horses at Moruya on the 17th August. Lining up in a Super Maiden at Kembla Grange on the 30th August over 1600m with the blinkers on the first time, Winnie produced a much improved effort and almost pulled off our biggest price winner starting at $151.
Winnie got into a lovely position mid field and travelled well throughout. Peeling to the outside in the home straight, she let down strongly for Jess Taylor once she balanced up and just missed out in a photo finish. On that effort, Winnie can break through for her Maiden win shortly and will also appreciate stepping out over further.
Lady Yarrow returned to the races at Wagga on the 28th August first up off only one jump out. Harriet showed ability in her 3 starts last preparation. She had a habit of being slowly away but always hit the line strongly. Ridden by Jess Taylor, Harriet began much better and travelled well throughout on the inside of the well backed favourite. These two drew clear of the rest of the field and battled it out the whole length of the straight. Harriet just missed out by a short half neck. She is only very small but has a heart as big as herself and looks set for a good preparation.
Brundee Tom is a tough little gelding who has done a fantastic job in first race preparation placing at his past 3 starts. Tommy finished 3rd in a Super Maiden at Moruya over 1200m on the 17th August. Under hard riding from Pierre Boudvillain in the middle stages Tommy kept trying the entire straight to finish 3rd. He then stepped up to 1400m at Kembla on the 30th August. Whilst beginning well, Tommy had to go back to obtain cover. But he got a nice trail into the race and let down strongly. The winner came out slightly, just hindering Tommy’s line of running (not enough to protest) and Tommy was very game finishing 3rd beaten only a length. He may have one more run before heading for a spell.
Tartana was a good effort at Kensington on the 13th August over 1250m. Run off her feet early on a sticky, Heavy 9 track, Dolly finished off well. She was strong through the line finishing just behind the placegetters. Dolly then stepped up to 1400m at Kembla on the 30th August. She sat outside the leader in what turned out to be a sit and sprint. Under 58.5kg on a drying track, Dolly tried hard but couldn’t show the same turn of foot finishing 4th.
Master Riley returned to the races at Kensington on the 27th August over 1250m. From the outside barrier, we elected to ride conservatively. Riley overraced early in the race however got into a good rhythm mid race and tried hard in the straight. They were a little too sharp for him over the 1250m at this grade and Riley got a little tired late. However, he was far from disgraced and beaten only 4.8 lengths. Riley will be better suited stepping up to 1400m and will likely head to Moruya on the 16thSeptember.
Sablonneuse was the victim of several washed out meetings during the month and consequently was a month between runs before finally getting back to the races at Wagga on the 28th August. Freddie didn’t love the Heavy 9 conditions and whilst he tried hard, he raced in restricted room in the straight which didn’t help his chances. Freddie has shown good ability in his first preparation and will return a nice horse next preparation.
Landmark Lady was very good at Moruya on the 17th August when finishing 4thover the 1650m. Pisa was another that did not handle to poor track conditions at Wagga on the 28th August and can bounce back on a better track next start.
Sir Sublime is somewhat of an enigma. He won in great style at Sapphire Coast and then lined up in what looked a suitable race at Goulburn. However despite finding the front, he never really travelled and gave in quite quickly. Stubby then lined up at Wagga on the 28th August and again found the front. He travelled better but was pestered throughout the race and again gave up. Stubby likes to be able to dictate on his own terms and is now likely to head to Moruya on the 16th September.
Miss Bariloche didn’t love the soft conditions at Goulburn on the 11th August, dipping and diving early. However she worked home ok to be beaten 4 lengths. Miss B then lined up at Wagga on the 28th August but did not go a yard on an atrocious track with substantial kick back. Miss B will appreciate getting onto a firmer surface and is likely to head to Moruya on the 16th September.
Victory at Omaha gave a good sight at Canberra on the Acton track on the 8thAugust over 1750m. Having to do a lot of work to find the lead early, Bro soldiered on bravely in the straight and was battling it out for a place until the final 50m. Bro was meant to go around at Kembla on the 16th September but the meeting was cancelled. So he then had a tick over run at Kembla on the 30th August with a view to heading to Canberra on the 5th September. Bro is probably nearing the end of his racing career and has been a warrior and tough competitor for the stables.
Champ De Fleurs returned to the races at Kembla Grange on the 30th August. She put in an even first up ;effort over 1200m at provincial level in what was an unsuitable sit and sprint tempo. Wednesday is a big girl and will take a lot of benefit out of the run and be better suited stepping up to 1400m next start at Mourya.
Mr Fabulous will return to the races at Warwick Farm on the 3rd September after a long lay off.(he has not raced for some 87 weeks). Mr Fab has trialled nicely for his return and will obviously take benefit out of his first up run and when he gets out over a lot further. We are excited to see this lightly raced gelding return to the races and are looking forward to the preparation ahead with him.
New To The Stable
Nights Inferno a 4yo gelding by Shooting To Win will be joining the stable in the next week or two. Boasting a record of 2 wins and 3 placings from only 10 starts, he raced this week and will be straight to the races after he arrives at Kembla. Limited ownership opportunities are available. So if your looking for immediate action with a proven horse, this is your boy. See Ownership Opportunities below.
“Louie” ,a 3yo gelding by Hellbent from Thank Heavens has arrived for his first preparation. He’s a lovely style of gelding that reminds me a lot of Master Riley at the same stage.
Triallers and Track Work
North Star Miss (” Priscilla”) trialled very nicely at Hawkesbury and at this stage will make her race debut in mid-September. It’s not too late to get involved.
Frosted Amour (“Frenchie”) also trialled at Hawkesbury and did everything right. She has now gone for a spell and will return a nice filly next preparation.
Direct Fire, Pretty Please and Deni Lass trialled at Kembla Grange on the 1stSeptember and all three produced very pleasing trial efforts. They will return to the races in the coming weeks.
Sebastian’s Flyer will return to the races around mid-September.
Trialling/Jumpouts this month
19th September Kembla Jumpouts: Farsain.
Pace Work.“Justine” the Justify x Tails Wins f; “BB” the Sandbar x Titaness f; Flying Gabbi; “Reiby” the Invader x Reiby Rainbow g; “Alby” the Prized Icon x Albakoor f; “Hussy” the Star Turn x Fast Hussy f; ” Johnny” the Farnan x Consommateur g; ” Petey” the Peltzer x Tupelo Express g; Liamena Avenue; Star of Kyeema; “Willow” the Wild Ruler x Ollagua f
Back In Work.
Super One x Can Dream g; Kickamushu; Scarlet Icon; Elle Tee; “Trixie” the Sandbar x Simply Delightful f; Star Of The Class.
Heading into Work/Pre-training this month.
Kitty Okay; Lindos; Written By x Vintage Valley f; Written By x Two To Tango f; Yes Arnie
Spelling
The following horses are enjoying their time in the spelling paddock:
Final Spirit; El Poppi; Mercy Rule; “Robert” the Your Song x Ma Ma I Love You g; Grey Axe; Secret Love; “Charlotte” the Sandbar x Rose of Scarlet f; London Star; Rubilace; Edorado; “Turtle” the Anders x Murtle Miss g.
Ownership Opportunities
If you are interested in joining us in any of our current or upcoming acquisitions please contact me at theresa.bateup@bigpond.com.au or give me a call on 0418 428 219. I have a variety of video’s available in addition to those below.
See below for opportunities to join us racing a variety of prospects
I also still have small shares available in a some of our other 3 year olds and tried horses. For details contact me directly.