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...
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
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).
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
Second Winner For Ghaiyyath As Observer Scores By Five
Second on debut when just three parts of a length off the winner at Pakenham, the James Cummings’ trained Observer (Ghaiyyath) looked sensational as he made a mess of his rivals to score over 1400m in the Tile Importer Handicap on the Sandown Lakeside course.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Written By Filly Dominates Warwick Farm Juvenile Contest
First seen at the two-year-old trials back in September, Marc Conners’ chestnut filly Penpel (Written By) produce a quality effort at just her second racetrack appearance, racing clear at Warwick Farm to score by more than three lengths.
Stakes Performed Zousain Filly Too Good At Doomben
Third in the Listed Calaway Stakes two starts back, lightly raced two-year-old Zousain filly Sweet Pretender produced the goods at Doomben, charging late to win the Mullins Lawyers QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.