Memorable Day for Jenny Watson and Kulani Park

Mark Smith - Saturday November 14

It is not for nothing that Rhys and Chloe Smiths Kulani Park have a well-earned reputation as the king of pinhookers. Two foals bred by Jenny Watson and purchased by Kulani Park out of the fertile paddocks in Tasmania made it a memorable day out at Sandown on Saturday.

Junipal (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

The Magnus gelding Kemalpasa got the ball rolling when he added the Group III Kevin Heffernan Stakes to his back to back wins in the Group II Linlithgow Stakes.

Then Palentino’s half-brother Junipal earned an overdue maiden stakes win in the Zircodata Sandown Stakes (1500m).

Advertisement

Following wins at Moonee Valley and Caulfield, Junipal found the race in class in the Group 1 Toorak handicap beyond him at his most recent start.

Ridden by John Allen for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Junipal overpowered Kenya (Galileo) by one and quarter lengths with Buffalo River (Noble Mission) a length back in third.

A half-brother to dual Group 1 winner Palantino, Junipal advances his record to six wins, four seconds and five thirds from 23 starts with earnings of $508,995.

Maher said the five-week freshen-up had topped him off.

“He just felt his last run, and it took him a little bit to get over it,” Maher said.

“Then we just dodged a couple of firm tracks, and Tim has prepared Sandown perfectly.

“Johnny has a really good association with him. The team have done a great job. He spends a bit of time down the beach, and he has a great group of owners.

"We tried to get him into a couple of Group 1s as a colt to see if we could keep the dream alive, but now as a gelding he is lighter, more athletic His form is probably reflecting that."

The Launceston-based Watson has little more than a handful of mares. Recognised with a  ‘Thoroughbred Excellence’  award at the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards, she bred Junipal from a mating with her star broodmare Palatine Hill (Palace Music), who Watson had purchased for $25,000 at the 2011 Inglis Great Southern Sale.

One of six winners from eight starters out of his dam, Junipal is the final foal bred by Watson out of Palantine Hill who was sold privately to Robert Crabtree.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing outlaid $300,000 for a Snitzel colt out of Palatine Hill offered by Bhima Stud at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He has been named Prince Of Rome.

Palantine Hill has a yearling colt by Magnus and foaled a Mikki Isle (JPN) colt on October 31.

Junipal becomes the 34th stakes-winner for Darley Studs pensioned Reset.

Advertisment

Race Result - Zircodata Sandown Stakes Gr3 1500m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(3) Time: 1:29.71
1
Junipal
- 5g Reset (AUS) x Palatine Hill (AUS) (Palace Music (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 59.5
2
1.3
Kenya
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Tender Morn (USA) (Dayjur (USA))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Jye McNeil 55.5
3
2.3
Buffalo River
- 5g Noble Mission (GB) x Fashion Insider (USA) (Indian Charlie (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Jamie Kah 59.5
4
3.7
Galaxy Raider
- 8g Hard Spun (USA) x Galaxy Light (AUS) (Way Of Light (USA))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: G Boss 56.5
5
6.2
Iconoclasm
- 6h Toorak Toff (AUS) x Gold Lottey (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 59.5
6
10.5
Mr Exclusive
- 5g Magnus (AUS) x Purple Butterfly (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Brown Rdr: Beau Mertens 55
7
10.9
Haripour
- 7g Shamardal (USA) x Hazariya (IRE) (Xaar (GB))
Tnr: Emma Church Rdr: Ben Allen 58.5
More Reading...
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
Junipal Breaks Three-Year Drought in Seymour Cup
Palentino’s half-brother Junipal won his first race in 153 weeks when leading home a 1-3-4 for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Sunday’s Listed Bet365 Seymour Cup (1600m).
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Delacroix Brings Dubawi Outcross to Coolmore Roster
Blueblood 3YO Dubawi colt Delacroix has been retired and the dual Group I winner will stand at Coolmore in Ireland in 2026.
Cambridge Stud Celebrate Ceolwulf Victory
Homebred Ceolwulf’s successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.
2025 G1 Cox Plate Field and Barrier Draw
A field of nine has been finalised for the 2025 Cox Plate with favourite Via Sistina drawing gate seven for Chris Waller and James McDonald, while one three-year-old has accepted to run in Nepotism.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.