The championships began at Randwick on saturday and with Sydney still getting drenched with rain. It was another wet track. All be it, not quite the swamp conditions of the last couple of weeks.The biggest story of the day had to be the return to form of the mighty Encosta De Lago gelding Chautauqua. Since returning from Hong Kong last May, after his miraculous win in the Chairmans Sprint Prize, he had been struggling to find that amazing Chautauqua finish. The Hawkes team, a bit baffled at what to do with him, were intending on setting him for the Donacaster and in preparation, took on the champion mare Winx a fortnight ago in the George Ryder Stakes over 1500m. I believe, he was back in form the start prior, where he unluckily lost to Le Romain,when coming from last on the wrong part of the track. The run against Winx was noteworthy on a heavy track over 1500m. He finished a gallant third behind the champion. The decision was made to switch him back to the 1200m TJ Smith Stakes and magic happened. The great horse recaptured that booming finish of his and with an epic last to first finish, collaring the Encosta De Lago mare, English, right at the post. Chautauqua the Grey Flash, was back. Here is his miraculous win on Saturday to shoot his prizemoney earnings past the champion Black Caviars.
Chautauqua TJ Smith 2017
It was a great day for Encosta De Lago, with progeny from his broodmares appearing left,right and centre. In the Group 1 Doncaster , Its Somewhat by Dynapeformer from the Godolphin stable led all the way, with a gallant Happy Clapper out of an Encosta De Lago mare chasing him into second. In the Sires 1400m for 2yos. We had a Snitzel trifecta, with Invader, being the colt storming home to victory. The colt is out of an Encosta De Lago mare as was the second placegetter, Summer Passage. I think Encosta's influence on Australian racing is over shadowed because of the enormity of the Danehill dominance. The Fairy King stallion is making such an impact with his broodmares and of course there is also his majestic sprinter Chautauqua with his booming finishes. His son Manhattan Rain and half brother to Redoutes Choice sired the Slipper winning filly She Will Reign another cheap buy for a good return. Encosta was retired from stud duties in 2015 due to fertility problems but he has left a dynasty that will continue for many years.
The ATC Derby went to the consistent son of Ifraaj, Jon Snow. It was a hard fought but well earned win over the runner up Harpers Choice who refused to give in. I think Harpers Choice is the horse to follow here. The Street Cry colt could grow into a very promising horse. There was one other race on the card other than the Group ones that I thought worth looking at, for a rags to riches story and to bring back memories of the Champ Takeover Target. The country championship winner Free Standing is a great story. Cathleen Rodes and her husband from Coffs Harbour were looking for a cheap horse last year and for $2500 they bought a little gelding by Equiano out of Commands mare. Cathleen said it was the breeding that caught her eye . Equiano of course was the horse that beat Takeover Target in the 2008 King Stand Stakes at Ascot. Joe Janiak and Takeover Target hold a special place in Coffs Harbour and both were recently honoured at the Coffs Cup meeting. The Joe and Takeover story is the classic rags to riches story. Joe buying the broken down, Archie as he was called for only 1500 dollars. Archie took Joe around the world, winning in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and of course Royal Ascot. The great Takeover Target even took out the 2009 TJ Smith Stakes which today fell to the Chautauqua show. Cathleen said it was Equiano which court her eye plus she recognize the positive side of the Commands broodmares. Free Standing has now won 430,000 dollars in prizemoney which is definately a good return on Cathleen and her hubbies 2500 outlay.
Chautauqua TJ Smith 2017
It was a great day for Encosta De Lago, with progeny from his broodmares appearing left,right and centre. In the Group 1 Doncaster , Its Somewhat by Dynapeformer from the Godolphin stable led all the way, with a gallant Happy Clapper out of an Encosta De Lago mare chasing him into second. In the Sires 1400m for 2yos. We had a Snitzel trifecta, with Invader, being the colt storming home to victory. The colt is out of an Encosta De Lago mare as was the second placegetter, Summer Passage. I think Encosta's influence on Australian racing is over shadowed because of the enormity of the Danehill dominance. The Fairy King stallion is making such an impact with his broodmares and of course there is also his majestic sprinter Chautauqua with his booming finishes. His son Manhattan Rain and half brother to Redoutes Choice sired the Slipper winning filly She Will Reign another cheap buy for a good return. Encosta was retired from stud duties in 2015 due to fertility problems but he has left a dynasty that will continue for many years.
The ATC Derby went to the consistent son of Ifraaj, Jon Snow. It was a hard fought but well earned win over the runner up Harpers Choice who refused to give in. I think Harpers Choice is the horse to follow here. The Street Cry colt could grow into a very promising horse. There was one other race on the card other than the Group ones that I thought worth looking at, for a rags to riches story and to bring back memories of the Champ Takeover Target. The country championship winner Free Standing is a great story. Cathleen Rodes and her husband from Coffs Harbour were looking for a cheap horse last year and for $2500 they bought a little gelding by Equiano out of Commands mare. Cathleen said it was the breeding that caught her eye . Equiano of course was the horse that beat Takeover Target in the 2008 King Stand Stakes at Ascot. Joe Janiak and Takeover Target hold a special place in Coffs Harbour and both were recently honoured at the Coffs Cup meeting. The Joe and Takeover story is the classic rags to riches story. Joe buying the broken down, Archie as he was called for only 1500 dollars. Archie took Joe around the world, winning in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and of course Royal Ascot. The great Takeover Target even took out the 2009 TJ Smith Stakes which today fell to the Chautauqua show. Cathleen said it was Equiano which court her eye plus she recognize the positive side of the Commands broodmares. Free Standing has now won 430,000 dollars in prizemoney which is definately a good return on Cathleen and her hubbies 2500 outlay.
The following is the win of Equiano over the mighty Takeover Target at Ascot not a bad group. Nicconi and Magnus there as well ! Equiano stands at Swettenham Stud .
International News
Arrogate the worlds number one racehorse by Unbridleds Song and his amazing Dubai World Cup victory. After missing the start circles the field to win in a breeze !
Melody Belle wins the group 1 Manawatau Sires in New Zealand . By Commands out of an Ifraaj mare !
Sales Ring
Sales Ring
Lot 51 At the Sydney Chairmans sale this friday Flame of Sydney in foal to Megalia Dóro. The Encosta de Lago mare and mum of sires winner Invader has an impeccable pedigree ! Has Northern Dancer twice, Mr Prospector and Australias two premier sprint stallions Vain and Bletchingly ! She has it all covered .
No comments:
Post a Comment