Second Winner for Almanzor

Media Release - Friday March 4

Bulls trainer Raymond Connors has posted the not for sale sign on promising juvenile Trav after the son of Almanzor closed too well for his rivals to score by a neck from Havarti in the Milton Park Stables 2YO (1200m) at Awapuni on Friday.

Trav winning at Awapuni on Friday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

The Connors family bred and own the smart debut winner, who had previously trialled well when third at Foxton.

Ridden by Sarah Macnab, Trav settled back on the fence and was angled off the rail before the home turn before proving too slick for Havarti and race favourite Wisdom Wonder, to win going away in the manner of a horse that will get over further.

“He’s obviously showed us a fair bit at home and I thought he would run well, but he won’t be for sale,” Raymond Connors said.

“I’ll wait and see how he does, he’s a good eater and I think he will keep improving.”

Trav is a son of the winning Savabeel mare Royal Sav, who is a half-sister to the two-time Gr.3 Stewards’ Handicap (1200m) winner Prince Oz.

Connors also has a yearling full brother to Trav by promising young Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor.

Advertisement

“He’s a nice type and a bit finer and probably not as big as Trav when he was a yearling,” Connors said.

The Gr. 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Roger That and the three-time Group Three winner De Montfort feature in the pedigree.

It is also the family of the Connors-raced and trained Gr.2 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Blood Brotha and their Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000) winner and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) placegetter King Jonny.

The gelding becomes the second Southern Hemisphere winner for Almanzor, following impressive Karaka Million winner Dynastic, who will be among the favourites for the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) on Sunday week, while Group-placed Andalus has already emerged for the promising young Classic sire.

Almanzor will be well-represented at next week’s New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale at Karaka, with 38 yearlings in Book 1 and six yearlings in Book 2. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
We had three heats for 2YO’s run at Warwick Farm on Friday morning over 815m with winners by Farnan, Ole Kirk and Kia Ora Stud’s first season sire Captivant, while Stay Inside had an impressive trial winner at Murray Bridge.
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
Captivant Colt Shines at Warwick Farm Trials
Captivant’s burgeoning reputation for producing precocious 2YOs took another leap forward at today’s Warwick Farm trials, with Courthezon powering to victory in Heat 10.
Pedigree Watch – Juvenile Stakes-Winners
Three new season juvenile stakes races on Saturday produced a $1million yearling purchase that gave Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside the perfect start to his stud career, a pinhook winner turned stakes-winner and a colt foaled in Australia with a Kiwi pedigree.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 3
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.