Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Thursday March 3

The traditional Golden Slipper lead-ups, the Group II Todman Stakes and Group II Reisling Stakes at Randwick, take centre stage on Saturday. However, with the big wet in Sydney, we will head south to Flemington for an intriguing VRC Foundation Plate (1000m), where over half of the ten runners have yet to face the starter.

Among them is the Mathew Ellerton-trained Crystalist.

Advertisement

A homebred for David Moodie, the son of Capitalist races for Moodie's Hesket Bloodstock, Spendthrift Australia and MyRacehorse.

Remarkably, Crystalist had two jumpouts four days apart. He missed the start and worked home nicely when fifth at his first outing on  February 14.

Ellerton must have felt the son of Capitalist had it too easy because he headed to Flemington for an 800m jumpout on February 18, and Crystalist put a space on them.

Crystalist is the fourth foal of the Stratum mare Crystal Ruby, a sister to Golden Slipper heroine Crystal Lily, who also won the AJC Sweet Embrace Stakes, MRC Blue Diamond Preview and Listed MRC Chairman's Stakes.  

Crystal Lily was runner-up at the highest level in the VRC Newmarket, MVRC William Reid Stakes and SAJC The Goodwood Handicap.

Crystal Lily captures the Sweet Embrace (image Mark Smith)

Tragically, Crystal Lily's life was cut short when she collapsed and died while competing in a jump out at Flemington.

Crystal Ruby was not in her sister's class winning races at Warracknabeal and Swan Hill in a 13-stat career.

Her first foal Crystal Beau (Brazen Beau), was second at Morphettville on debut, then sadly broke down and was euthanised in a 2yo race at Moonee valley won by the future Everest hero Yes Yes Yes.

Second foal Spiriting (Written Tycoon) won one of three starts before being covered by Spirit Of Boom last spring.

Third foal Crystal Vain has a win, a second and a third from five starts and recently finished third over 1300m at Sandown-Hillside on January 22.

Crystal Ruby is the penultimate foal of David Moodie's exceptional broodmare Crystal Snip. The daughter of Snippets had a perfect record of twelve winners from as many foals.

Four of those were stakes winners, Crystal Lily, Amaethon (Al Maher), Crystal Web (Hard Spun) and Crystal Wit (Distorted Humor).   

Capitalist also has Shadow Devil in the $750,000 Inglis Sprint

Another daughter, the Caulfield winner Crystal Sprite (Hurricane Sky), is the dam of the Group II MVRC Bill Stutt Stakes winner Carrara (Elvstroem).

Crystal Wit has begun a dynasty of her own as the dam of stakes-winner Crystal Dreamer (Stratum) and stakes-placed Fast Talker (Fastnet Rock), and the granddam of stakes-winners Persuader (Zoustar), The Actuary (Sebring) and stakes-placed Deep Speed (Deep Field) and The Astrologer (Star Turn).   

This is an old Widden Stud family dating back to the Brueghel mare Hecuba, a half-sister to the Widden Stud immortal Ajax and the dam of 1949 AJC Champagne Stakes winner Lady Pirouette, dam of Kilshery (QTC Stradbroke, MRC Oakleigh Plate, ATC Canterbury Guineas, All Aged Stakes (twice)).

Crystalist is a descendant of Lady Pirouette's half-sister Snow Lily, the dam of  AJC Flight Stakes and VATC Sandown Guineas winner Snowing (Vain).   

Crystal Ruby has a weanling colt by Lonhro and was one of 201 mares covered by Flying Artie last spring.

Capitalist could be in for a big day at Flemington. Those that witnessed the unbelievable win of his unbeaten son Shadow Devil at Gosford will be keen to back up on the Mark Newnham-trained colt in the $750,000 Inglis Sprint.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.