Toronado Colt on a Derby Path

Mark Smith - Saturday September 19

A brother to the undefeated, Hong Kong bound, Master Montaro, three-year-old Toronado (IRE) colt Wise Counsel opened his winning account at his third start over 1600m at Caulfield on Saturday.

Wise Counsel breaks his maiden in style (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Jye McNeil for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Wise Counsel avoided a lot of traffic problems that beset a good deal of his major dangers to defeat Divine Diosa (Teofilo) by a half-length with the luckless Queen Of Rocks (Fastnet Rock) three-quarters of a length back in third.

The son of Toronado (IRE) was not beaten all that far when unplaced at his first two starts at Geelong and had plenty of support here with his weight advantage.

“We’ve always had a nice opinion of him, it’s taken a bit of time to get him to the track and get a few runs in as he had a nasty injury at the back-end as a two-year-old,” Eustice said.

“He’s ahorse that warrants going in to a Derby Trial and a UCI (stakes), which would be a nice race for him as he would relish Flemington. The you have the Caulfield classic so we will put him on that path now and see how he comes through    

Purchased by Stuart Hale for $250,000 out of the Hallmark Stud draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka yearling Sale, Wise Counsel races for a syndicate that includes his breeder, Adam Sangster’s Swettenham Stud, and Sir Patrick Hogan.

Advertisement

He is a brother to Master Montaro and a half-brother to Modoc (Haradasun) who placed in the MRC Inglis 2YO Premier (RL) and Group II ATC Skyline Stakes.

Reportedly sold for $1,500,000 to Hong Kong connections following his career debut win at Pakenham, Master Montaro booked his ticket for Hong Kong with another hugely impressive performance over 1140m at Geelong on May 29.

From a family nurtured by Gooree Stud, Wise Counsel’s dam Circus Polka (Stravinsky) is a half-sister to the group 1 VRC Victoria Derby and Group 1 ATC Champagne Stakes winner Prized Icon (More Than Ready) as well as the Group III winners Matras (Zabeel) and Romantic Moon (More Than Ready).

There is plenty more to come as Circus polka has a 2yo filly and a yearling colt by Toronado (IRE).

She was covered by Highland Reel (IRE) last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Longboard Account. For Mirabel 1600m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:40.23
1
Wise Counsel
- 3c Toronado (IRE) x Circus Polka (AUS) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $230,000
Seller: North, Scone, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Salter Pastoral/Pat Ryan Racing
2
0.5
Divine Diosa
- 3f Teofilo (IRE) x La Siroque (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: Damian Lane 57
3
1.3
Queen Of Rocks
- 3f Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Dowager Queen (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: W Pike 56.5
4
1.4
Tanker
- 3g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Calcatta (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 62
5
1.5
Celestial Sol
- 3c Fighting Sun (AUS) x Lady Phoebe (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 60.5
6
3.8
Cumberbatch
- 3g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Pearl Star (AUS) (Star Witness (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: D Oliver 61
7
3.9
The Pres
- 3g All American (AUS) x Satan's Dancer (AUS) (Dylan Thomas (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Jordan Childs 59
8
4.2
Surooj
- 3f Sebring (AUS) x Shaaheq (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: L Nolen 57.5
More Reading...
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.