Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Friday November 8

The ATC will unveil yet another $1 million race this Saturday with a full field of 14 youngsters to contest the first running of the Golden Gift (1100m) and what a fascinating line-up it is.

With a first prize of $580,000 and $190,000 for second the connections of those two can sleep easy on securing a place in the Golden Slipper.

Nine entrants have made one start with the balance making their debut.

Two of the first starters Blaze A Trail and Malkovich have been starring at the barrier trials and both have a story to tell.Tanker wins on debut - image Grant Courtney

Blaze A Trail is one of just 14 live foals from the first crop of the fertility challenged Criterion a stunning looking son of Sebring who never dodged a soul from winning the Black Opal and Todman Stakes at two, the Rosehill Guineas and ATC Derby at three, the Quen Elizabeth Stakes at four the Caulfield Stakes at five and found time to make trips to Royal Ascot and Sha Tin (x2).

After bolting in by six and a half lengths in his first trial at Randwick, Blaze A Trail was only asked for an effort in the final stages of his trial win at Rosehill.  

Malkovich was pinhooked by Woodpark Stud for $85,000 out of the Ascot Park draft 2019 Classic Yearling Sale.

Prepared by Jean Dubois, Malkovich won a trial at Rosehill before the son of Choisir was snapped up by Darby Racing for $240,000 at the 2019 Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale.

Sent to Bjorn Baker Malkovich set the track alight at Rosehill on October 29 in winning by six and a half lengths.

One of his main rivals on Saturday is Woodpark Stud’s filly See You Soon, a daughter of Siyouni who could not have been any more impressive when winning the Kirkham Plate at Randwick for Jean Dubois and Jean Van Overmeire on October 26.

The one we have settled on is the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Tanker.

The son of the exciting first season sire Pride Of Dubai was a fast-finishing winner of the Inglis Debutant Stakes when on debut at Caulfield and subsequently won a barrier trial in impressive fashion at Randwick.

Consigned by his breeder, Ian Smith's Edinburgh Park Stud, to the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Tanker was purchased by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $170,000.Pride Of Dubai has made an exting start to his stallion career - image Mark Smith

He is the third foal and second stakes-winner out of the Listed SAJC Dequetteville Stakes winner Calcatta following last seasons Listed SAJC Cinderella Stakes Lady Naturaliste (Choisir).

Purchased by Edinburgh Park Stud for $150,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Calcatta had a Zoustar colt on September 7 after missing to Not A Single Doubt in 2017.

This a family that goes back to the late 19th century in New Zealand and is chockful of stallions that set New Zealand apart including Foxbridge (GB), Resurgent (IRE), Hermes (GB), Sovereign Edition (IRE), Sir Tristram (IRE).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pride Of Dubai Makes Perfect Start to Stud Career
Just a few weeks into the new season, Pride Of Dubai has made an exciting start to his stud career with two winners including a stakes-winner.
Valiant Stud Sell $520,000 Colt by The Autumn Sun
Back in 2022, Valiant Stud had a great result at Inglis Classic when selling a filly by The Autumn Sun from Talimena that made $550,000 and went on to be Group I placed Tulsi and on Tuesday they sold her full brother for $520,000.
Atishu Ready to Go Racing in 2025
Multiple Group One winner Atishu will kick-off what will likely be her last racing campaign when she heads to Randwick on Saturday to contest what is shaping to be a very competitive Gr.2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Godolphin heavy hitters Broadsiding and Golden Mile, back as a gelding from a failed attempt at stud, were heat winners at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning, but our interest was in the juveniles with Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton out to enjoy a leisurely tick over trial, while another unraced son of Wootton Bassett (GB) also caught the eye.
$620,000 New Benchmark for Pride of Dubai
With his oldest progeny just two year-olds and already including the stakes-winner Tanker, Coolmore’s exciting young sire Pride of Dubai made his presence felt during Magic Millions on Wednesday with a colt from Archangel selling for $620,000.
More Than One Way to Skin a Cat
When racehorse syndication businesses take a punt on a filly there is more than one way for shareholders to make money from the exercise as enhancement of the investment can come via pedigree or the racetrack and in the case of this winner on Tuesday it has come in both ways.
Pride of Dubai and Vancouver Lead Karaka First Season Sires
The 2019 NZB National Yearling Sale Series Book One produced some good results for first season sires with Coolmore’s power duo of Pride of Dubai and Vancouver leading averages.
Tara Talks Racing Podcast Online
We’re talking racing as it relates to bloodstock and touch on the story of how a filly bought by Vin Cox as a yearling at Magic Millions in 2006 for just $75,000 led to the Inglis Millennium winner Rivellino.
Pivotal Ten Shooting for Five wins in a Row
Exciting filly Pivotal Ten has been making waves in the south, scoring consecutive stakes victories, and will bid to extend it to three when she heads to Ascot Park on Saturday.
$1.65million Record-breaking I Am Invincible Colt Trials in Style for Te Akau
Last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale topper Hostility made a pleasing start to his career for Te Akau Racing on Tuesday when winning his 800m trial at Ellerslie.