Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au
By Andrew Birch, NZTM
New Zealand-bred horses dominated the first day of The Championships at Randwick in Sydney, winning all four Group One races, giving rise to an outpouring of pride from the New Zealand breeding fraternity.
Kiwi-bred two-year-old Militarize (NZ) was first to strike a blow, winning the Gr.1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in a canter under Joao Moreira.
Bred by Jonathan Munz’ GSA Bloodstock, the Dundeel colt out of imported mare Amerindia was born and raised at the Chitty family’s Haunui Farm.
Next came the Waikato Stud bred and raced I Wish I Win (NZ). The son of Savabeel produced a jaw-dropping last to first performance in the Gr.1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) to stake his claim as the best sprinter in Australia.
While Mark Chittick had gone bush for the weekend, daughter Charlotte shone in the spotlight, graciously making the acceptance speech. Son George was also on-hand to ensure the victory was appropriately celebrated, while Garry and Mary Chittick beamed with pride.
The people’s champ, Mr Brightside (NZ), made it back-to-back victories in the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
The gritty son of Bullbars, bred by Ray Johnson with his late wife Martha, has now won A$8.2 million in prizemoney and will be set on the path to the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) in the spring.
With ten of the 18 runners in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) bred in New Zealand, it highlighted the strength of our three-year-olds.
They didn’t disappoint, with Major Beel (NZ), another Waikato Stud-bred son of Savabeel withholding the charge of Almanzor colt Virtuous Circle (NZ), while Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ), a son of Redwood ran well for fourth.
It was Group One winner number 30 for super-sire Savabeel, who compares favourably to his own great sire Zabeel at the same stage of their careers.
Hugs and high-fives were the order of the day as every New Zealander in Sydney walked a little taller and the feel-good Kiwi bred theme did not go unnoticed at the Sydney Easter Sales, aided by the very visible New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing advertisements.
The win of Pignan (NZ) in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce (1400m) at Awapuni was also a positive sign as emerging young stallions made their mark on the race.
Bred by Andrew Burton and Linda Hunt, Pignan is a first-crop daughter of Novara Park stallion Staphanos, while The Oaks Stud’s US Navy Flag is the sire of runner-up Aprilia and third placegetter To Catch A Thief.
New Zealand bred horses have won 13 Group One races in Australia to this point of the season
That is 23.2% (13 of 56), and follows on from the 16 Group One races won last season.
As we head into another bumper day of racing at Randwick on Saturday, we can only hope for more of the same, as we cheer home every New Zealand bred success.
NZ-bred Group One winners in Australia this season
1. I’m Thunderstruck – Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m)
2. Callsign Mav – Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m)
3. Smokin’ Romans – Turnbull Stakes (2000m)
4. No Compromise – Metropolitan Handicap (2400m)
5. Sharp ‘N’ Smart – Spring Champion Stakes (2000m)
6. Icebath – Empire Rose Stakes (1600m)
7. Roch ‘N’ Horse – VRC Sprint Classic (1200m)
8. Legarto – Australian Guineas (1600m)
9. Prowess – Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m)
10. Militarize – Sires Produce (1400m)
11. I Wish I Win – TJ Smith (1200m)
12. Mr Brightside – Doncaster Mile (1600m)
13. Major Beel – Australian Derby (2400m)
