Tavistock Trio to Watch

Tara Madgwick - Sunday September 12

Much missed Cambridge Stud sire Tavistock has had three maiden winners in the past two days and all are interesting with an eye to the Classics unfolding this season.

David Payne is a very astute conditioner when it comes to preparing a classic three year-old and his Tavistock gelding French Emperor fits the mould of his past success.

Third on debut to boom colt Profondo at Randwick on September 1, he went to Goulburn on Saturday for an easy kill and despite racing greenly had way too much class for his rivals and cruised clear to win by two lengths as a red hot favourite at his second start.

French Emperor as a yearling.

A $200,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase for HBL Racing from the Curraghmore draft, French Emperor runs for Aramco Racing and is bred to be a Derby contender.

He is the first foal from stakes-placed Fastnet Rock mare Special Memories, a full sister to Group I ATC Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten from the family of French Group I winners Matiara and Indonesienne.

Another promising Tavistock three year-old winning at his second start is the Mick Price and Mick Kent trained colt Gunstock, who resumed from a spell to win over 1600m at Cranbourne on Sunday as favourite.
 



He caught the eye with a late surging three-quarter length win that will have him primed for tougher assignments.

The stable nearly had a race to race double of Tavistock winners with another lightly raced three year-old colt in Bedford Estate finishing a good second in the next race over 1400m.

Gunstock was a $135,000 NZB Ready to Race purchase from the Ohukia Lodge draft for Import racing and was a successful pinhook having been sourced from the Cambridge Stud draft at Karaka Book 1 for $80,000.

Gunstock was an NZB Ready to Race purchase.

Gunstock is the second winner from Zabeel mare Zeranti and is a full brother to Group II placed The Irishman, who has been exported to Hong Kong to chase the Hong Kong Derby.

The third winner of interest for Tavistock is four year-old mare Crystal Dynasty, who returned from a spell to win her maiden at Donald over 1350m for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace on Sunday.

Crystal Dynasty is unlikely to be a superstar, but she is a half-sister to Crystal Bound, who won the Listed VRC Cap D’Antibes Stakes on Saturday and promises to be a star performer in the fillies division this spring.

Crystal Dynasty wins at Donald - image Brendan McCarthy / Racing Photos

Bred by Noorilim Park Thoroughbreds, Crystal Dynasty was retained to race and will be a valuable broodmare prospect going forward if her younger half-sister progresses as hoped.

Crystal Dynasty and Crystal Bound are among three winners from four to race out of Crystalised, a winning Zabeel half-sister to Dual Group I winner Zarita, Group II winner Run Like the Wind and stakes-winner Joy and Fun.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Tab Cranbourne Cup 13/11 Mdn 1600m

Cranbourne Track: Good(4) Time: 1:39.89
1
Gunstock
- 3c Tavistock (NZ) x Zeranti (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Liam Riordan 57
2
0.8
Roebling
- 4g Statue Of Liberty (USA) x Mixxer (AUS) (Twining (USA))
Tnr: E Jusufovic Rdr: Jye McNeil 59.5
3
3.8
Agent Of Mayhem
- 5g Cluster (AUS) x Saints Row (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: J Mott 59.5
4
3.9
Booker Tee
- 4g Scissor Kick (AUS) x Royal Singer (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: A & J Williams Rdr: B Higgins 59.5
5
7.2
The Black Panther
- 5g Better Than Ready (AUS) x Von Krum (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: N J Harnett Rdr: Ben Allen 59.5
6
7.7
Tour Of Duty
- 4g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Rippled (GB) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Jordan Childs 59.5
7
8.4
Duke Of Bedford
- 3c Tavistock (NZ) x Miralago (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: L Currie 57
8
10.2
Bullarook Boy
- 4g Lucas Cranach (GER) x Miss Endeavour (AUS) (Good Journey (USA))
Tnr: Dale Short Rdr: R Mc Leod 59.5
9
12.4
Main Deck
- 4m Onemorenomore (AUS) x La Musicienne (AUS) (Amadeus Wolf (GB))
Tnr: G A Osborne Rdr: J Maskiell 57.5
10
12.8
Sequin Legacy
- 6g Zuberi (AUS) x Sequin Delight (AUS) (Lago Delight (AUS))
Tnr: Dani Walker Rdr: Ms S Wynne 59.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 28
Here is the full list of 24 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Karaka Millions and NZB Kiwi Opportunities in Ready to Run Sale
More than ever before, horses bought from the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka will be eligible to compete for significant prize-money within 18 months of their purchase.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 29
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win - 2025 $10m Golden Eagle
Racing fans and punters love a good debate, but if there's one thing they tend to unite on, it's the view that the retirement of talented young horses from the racetrack to the stud happens far too early for their liking!
Walker Upbeat Heading into Flemington
Trainer Mark Walker will have a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, headed by last start Listed 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) winner Azazel, with lightly-tried McWoody also making the field.
2025 Victoria Derby Pedigree Preview - Who is Bred to Stay?
The Group I VRC Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday is worth a whopping $2 million and the testing trip of 2500m means a lot of horses are not going to see it out strongly and this looks a competitive year with no G1 winners engaged and a full field of up and comers set to do battle, so let’s see what the pedigrees have to say.
Vin Cox to Join Forces with Star Thoroughbreds
Leading Australian syndicator Star Thoroughbreds has announced it will be partnering with Vin Cox for the 2026 yearling sales season.
One To Watch – Wyong
With her half-brother Private Eye set to line up in Saturday's $3m ATC Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick, 3yo Shalaa (IRE) filly Confidentiality broke her maiden on Thursday at Wyong at just her second start for trainer Joe Pride.
Promising Winner for Peltzer
Michael Freedman trained his first winner for Champion Thoroughbreds on Thursday at Wyong and promising Peltzer gelding Sir Loyne won in a manner to suggest there is much more to come.
Dream Comes True for Kiwi Owner Breeders
Heather and Peter Crofskey are pinching themselves as they prepare to hop on a flight to Melbourne to watch their pride and joy Leica Lucy contest Saturday’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.