One To Watch - Newcastle

Mark Smith - Tuesday March 30

There looks to be better things ahead for the gorgeous looking Ifraaj (GB) filly I Say Hello, who scored a last stride win in a competitive benchmark 64 for fillies and mares over 1200m at Newcastle on Tuesday.

Trained by Kris Lees, I say Hello was the only ride on the day for Hugh Bowman.

Well back in the field, entering the home straight, I Say Hello was forced to chase from a long way out as the Toronado (IRE) filly Zoracat set up what looked to be a winning margin.

I Say Hello a $280,000 Karaka yearling purchase for Coolmore

Under hard riding, I Say Hello gradually began to close down Zorcat, who wasn't about to surrender without a fight.

Carrying the all-navy colours of Coolmore Stud, I Say Hello defeated Zorcat by a long-head. The I Am Invincible filly Salateen came from last under her topweight to finish a further half-length back in third.

All three look capable of making their presence felt in town.

I Say Hello advances her record to two and a second from three starts. The daughter of Iffraaj (GB) made a winning debut over the same track and distance in a 2yo maiden plate over 12 months ago.

 At her most recent start, I Say Hello came from last to finish second at Newcastle on March 5.

Advertisement

'She is a big gross filly with a lot of improvement to come," Lees said.

"She was probably on empty herself late, having chased them down with nothing taking her into the race.

"I thought it was a really good effort. The time may not suggest that, but she was really strong late.

"She has a lot of upside. She has been a work in progress as she has been a touch aggressive. She led at her first start when she won, but ridden this way to harness that energy and let her react late is possibly the best thing for her."

A $280,000 purchase by Anthony Penfold out of the Rich Hill Stud draft at Karaka in 2019, I Say Hello is the second winner from as many to race out of the Group 1 WRC Thorndon Mile and Group 1 Te Aroha JC New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes heroine Say No More (Pentire).

Danny O'Brien purchased Say No More's Vadamos colt for $45,000 at Karaka in 2020.

The daughter of Pentire has a yearling filly by Satono Aladdin (JPN) and was covered by Ace High last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Minder Cloud Services (Bm64) 1200m

Newcastle Track: Good(4) Time: 1:12.71
1
I Say Hello
- 3f Iffraaj (GB) x Say No More (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J Bowman 59.5
2
0.2
Zorocat
- 3f Toronado (IRE) x She's Purring (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: D Lane Rdr: D Mc Lellan 57.5
3
0.7
Salateen
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Salma (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tommy Berry 61
4
1.1
Wholesome Delight
- 3f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Sultry Feeling (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
5
1.7
Canadian Spice
- 3f Vancouver (AUS) x Paprika (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: L Magorrian 58.5
6
2.6
Centimental
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Serena Miss (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: S Clipperton 60
7
3.2
Light Of Uluru
- 4m Eurozone (AUS) x Rink (AUS) (Danzero (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K Waugh Rdr: G Buckley 57.5
8
4.1
Supertanker
- 3f Brazen Beau (AUS) x Head Over Heels (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: R Dolan 57.5
9
4.5
Kikikapow
- 4m Ad Valorem (USA) x Putney Road (AUS) (Reset (AUS))
Tnr: S J Hodge Rdr: Ms L Day 53.5
10
12.4
Maddison's Missile
- 3f The Factor (USA) x Teasing (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: Reece Jones 55
More Reading...
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.
Cambridge Stud Welcome Hello Youmzain First NZ bred SW
Lucy In The Sky delivered a memorable result on multiple fronts with her historic success at Riccarton.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets Inglis Weanling Sale Alight
The first session of the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale on Monday produced a new overall record price for this sale when a filly by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside sold for $650,000.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
A busy set of trials at Randwick this morning saw Group I winning stallion Schwarz win a heat in good style in preparation for a Queensland trip, while on the juvenile front there were also a couple of carnival aspirants.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.