Oaks Potential and Full Sister in NZB Ready to Run

Tara Madgwick - Thursday October 17

John Sargent loves his Oaks fillies and may have another in the pipeline with James McDonald travelling to Hawkesbury on Thursday to test out Kiwi bred Powers of Opal, who duly bolted in by five and a half lengths.

Powers of Opal carries the famous Think Big Stud colours to victory at Hawkesbury  - image Bradley Photography

A good last start fourth in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes behind Lady Shenandoah, Powers of Opal was dropped back to maiden grade to build her confidence ahead of a trip to Melbourne and she made light work of the assignment, cruising clear to win as she pleased.

Advertisement

A $130,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase from Curraghmore for John Sargent Racing / DGR Thoroughbred Services, Powers of Opal is by Cox Plate winning sire Ocean Park and will be looking to target the $1million Group I VRC Oaks on November 7, a race won last year by Zardozi, who runs this Saturday in the Caulfield Cup.

Powers of Opal is the third winner from stakes-winning Alamosa mare Strada Cavallo, who was also placed in the Group I NZ Thousand Guineas and Oaks.

Curraghmore will offer a full sister to Powers of Opal at the NZB Ready to Run Sale as Lot 202.

Advertisment

Race Result - Brookvale Union Dark 6% Super Mdn 1600m

Hawkesbury Track: Good(4) Time: 1:35.39
1
Powers Of Opal
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Strada Cavallo (NZ) (Alamosa (NZ))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: J B Mc Donald 59
NZB Ready To Run Sale $210,000
Seller: Curraghmore
Buyer: YLP
2
5.5
Glory Start
- 4m Maurice (JPN) x Harvest Start (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: T Wong Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 55
3
6
Think Romance
- 4m So You Think (NZ) x Mon Bel Ami (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: Lee & Cherie Curtis Rdr: J Penza 55.5
4
6.4
Blacklist
- 4g Redwood (GB) x Pure Light (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Tim Clark 57
5
8.1
Zielle
- 3f Denman (AUS) x Evonne's Magic (AUS) (Beneteau (AUS))
Tnr: G R Nickson Rdr: Molly Bourke 53
6
8.8
Hongkong Harmony
- 8g Shamardal (USA) x Patronising (GB) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: R A Bailey Rdr: Jenny Duggan 55
7
9.7
Hasime
- 4m Denman (AUS) x Kaishi (AUS) (Helmet (AUS))
Tnr: Robert Quinn Rdr: K S Latham 56
More Reading...
Almanzor Sprinter on Track for More Riches
Local trainer David Greene can’t wait to head to Te Rapa on Saturday where he will be chasing $1.125 million in prizemoney with a trio of runners.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Canterbury
Four heats at Canterbury on Friday were won by juveniles and three were unraced youngsters including a $1million Snitzel colt, while G3 Gimcrack Stakes winner Shiki was also sent around following her midfield finish in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic last month.
Sires With Winners - Friday February 6
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$1.2million for Mare in Foal to Frankel
There are four mares to be offered at Magic Millions National in foal to Juddmonte Farm’s champion sire Frankel and the first of them Grande Dame (GB) sold for $1.2million to James Bester Bloodstock/Morning Rise Stud.
Big Sky Three-Quarter Sister Highlights MM Online Sale
A three-quarter sister to the unbeaten juvenile Big Sky, one of the serious players for this month's $2 million Group One Blue Diamond Stakes, headlines the Magic Millions Digital Sale (6-11 February), which is now open for bidding.
Breeding to Win - 2026 Inglis Millennium
The $2million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick this Saturday is for 2YO's that have come via the Inglis Sales and naturally the big stables have deployed some of their best juvenile firepower in pursuit of this big pot of cash.
Tarzino Mare Chasing G1
Tomodachi’s connections are banking on a target closer to home to bring out the best in the gifted mare on Saturday.
People at Classic - Feeling The Vibe
Given the numbers of people and the numbers of inspections it’s fair to say there’s a very good vibe about the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and Maree McEwan was out and about talking to more of the players on Friday.
Japanese Bloodlines Meet Blueblood Mares
The evolution of Yulong as an elite global breeding operation has been a fascinating watch for racing and bloodstock fans around the world and the beginning of a new chapter is set to play out at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in January with the launch of the first yearlings by their exciting young sire Diatonic (Jpn).
Nigella Lane Wins Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders
Cambridge mare Nigella Lane was runner-up in last year’s Listed Clubs NZ Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and she was able to go one better in this year’s edition at Tauherenikau on Waitangi Day.