$4,000 Gavelhouse Bargain a Saleyard Gift

Media Release - Thursday June 23

Lyn Prendergast still can't believe the bargain she got when she outlaid $4000 for two-race winner Original Gangster on gavelhouse.com.

The West Melton trainer bought the Road To Rock gelding through the online auction website, promptly leased him to a large group of stable clients then set about winning her purchase price back.

Original Gangster is proving to be a bargain buy. Photo: Race Images South

Original Gangster has done far more than that, banking more than $155,000 in stakes in the 18 months since Prendergast bought him, nearly 40 times what she paid for him.

"He's turned out to be a real bargain. It was just two days before Christmas and I guess everyone else had other things on their mind and I was able to snaffle him cheaply," Prendergast said.

Original Gangster has gone on to win six races for Prendergast, including the Banks Peninsula Cup (1800m) and Founders Cup (2000m) at Riccarton already this preparation.

He warmed up for Saturday's Greenwood Amberley Cup (1600m) with a smart 2 1/4-length win under 60kg in a 1600m open handicap on the Riccarton polytrack earlier this month.

"He was really good last time. He didn't have much speed early. He dropped back which was a bit of a surprise but I was really thrilled with the way he finished off under that big weight," Prendergast said.

"He just loves racing. Where we are at West Melton, we've got 24 acres and we put him out in the daytime and he just loves that. He freshens up really well after each run.

"We're really happy with him going into this one. He's hardly lost an ounce in condition. He's just an evergreen and I can't fault him. He's like a good wine and just keeps improving with age."

Original Gangster has 61.5kg for Saturday's Riccarton feature in which regular rider Kylie Williams takes the mount.

Advertisement

The combination of a big weight and a potentially sticky track giving has tempered Prendergast's confidence heading into the race.

"We'll just leave it in Kylie's hands and see what happens. That track will be sticky with no more rain coming and the weight is a bit of a worry; it really is," she said.

"He's got a Winter Cup nomination so we'll just see how he's going over the next few weeks."

Prendergast has three other runners at Riccarton on Saturday, with Ihu tackling the Smiths Hire Handicap (1200m), while last-start Waimate Cup (2200m) runner-up Miss Tavi and Red Rufus race on the undercard.

"Ihu has had two runs down the chute for me and he's done everything wrong. Kylie knows him a bit better now so that helps," Prendergast said.

"I was a bit reluctant to run him down the chute again but if he can clear the gates, he should be fine. Both times he's either got back or missed the kick so he goes in last now and that has helped.

"Being a mudder we weren't sure how he'd adapt to the all-weather track but he won really well on that last time. It's a good field on Saturday but I'm really happy with him and if he can get to the front, he's hard to get past.

"I'm really pleased with Miss Tavi. Another stride and she might have won the Waimate Cup last time and she doesn't mind these type of conditions. And Red Rufus, he's an unknown on this type of ground. He's been running well on the all-weather but we'll just see how he goes on Saturday." - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.