Special Reward Breaks the Drought

Mark Smith - Saturday December 11

Ninety-two weeks out of the winner’s circle, Australian Bloodstock’s Special Reward moved his earnings to $4,000 short of $1million with a dominant win in Saturday’s Listed Razor Sharp Hcp (1200m) at Randwick.

Special reward that was dominant (image Steve Hart)

With Glyn Schofield in the saddle, the 6yo son of Demerit finished over the top of the Choisir mare Snapdancer to win by a half-length with the Ocean Park gelding Southern Lad two lengths further back in third.

It was Special Reward’s third stakes win for Kris Lees since taking over the training of the former Western Australian from Simon Miller.

His last win came in the Group III Newcastle Newmarket in March last year.

“That was a really good ride from Glyn,” Lees said.

“He’s got a stack of ability, he always has, but he’s been out of the winner’s circle for a long time, and I stressed today to try and not expose him until he really had to. He had a lapful of horse coming to the corner, so he didn’t have too long to think about it.

“I was really pleased with his first two runs. We used our gate possibly a little too much in the Hunter. That was a lot better field than today so a little drop back in grade and he’s starting to get back down to his right weight and was able to get back to form.”

Advertisement

 In earning his third stakes win, Special Reward advances his record to nine wins, three seconds and a third from 27 starts with earnings of $995,905.

Special Reward a $145,000 Perth Magic Millions yearling

He is one of three stakes winners out of the Special Bond mare Special Kiseki.

Special Reward follows the Group III WATC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Showy Chloe (Alfred Nobel) and Listed winner El Rijes (Eternity Range).

Special Kiseki has a yearling filly by Sessions, but her Playing God foal was born deceased.

Purchased by John Chalmers Bloodstock for $145,000 out of the Taunton Vale draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Special Reward is the most expensive yearling sold by his sire Demerit.

A Group III winning son of Lonhro, Demerit was euthanised in July 2019 after breaking a tibia in a paddock accident.

Advertisment

Race Result - Fujitsu General Razor Sharp LR 1200m

Randwick Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:10.11
1
Special Reward
- 6g Demerit (AUS) x Special Kiseki (AUS) (Special Bond (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: G Schofield 56
2
0.5
Snapdancer
- 5m Choisir (AUS) x Snapdragon (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: K Mc Evoy 53
3
2.5
Southern Lad
- 7g Ocean Park (NZ) x Distinctive Lass (AUS) (Orientate (USA))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: J Bowman 58
4
3.3
Surreal Step
- 5g Sidestep (AUS) x Continua (AUS) (Wonderful World (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
5
4.0
Dream Circle
- 5g Dream Ahead (USA) x Courtyard Circle (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: Tom Sherry 54
6
4.6
Dawn Passage
- 5h Dawn Approach (IRE) x Raja Lane (AUS) (Devaraja (NZ))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56.5
7
6.0
Edison
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x A Million Tears (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J R Collett 54.5
8
6.1
Eleven Eleven
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Smokin' Alice (USA) (Smoke Glacken (USA))
Tnr: G D Hickman Rdr: K S Latham 59.5
9
6.4
Vulpine
- 5m Snitzel (AUS) x Elusive Leone (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: J Ford 54
10
6.8
Just Field
- 5m Deep Field (AUS) x Shoboard (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: D Lane Rdr: A B Collett 53
More Reading...
Special Reward the Class Act in Carrington Stakes
The $150,000 Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick was lone stakes race in Australia on Saturday, which fell to a proven stakes performer.
Demerit's Special Reward Earns First Stakes win in Southern Cross Stakes
Former West Australian Special Reward was none too keen to get to the barriers for Saturday’s Group III Cellarbrations Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) but he saved his antics to pre-race because he was all business in the run bringing a timely update for his MM Perth bound half-sister.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.