London Banker Strikes for the Locals

Mark Smith - Saturday June 25

Local hope London Banker turned back a strong interstate challenge to open his stakes account in Saturday’s Group III Tattersall's Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm.

Ridden by Willie Pike for Kelly Schweida, the 6yo son of Tavistock sat just off the speed and stuck solid to the fence in defeating Seat Of Power (IRE) (Sea The Stars) by two lengths with Esti Feny (HUN) (Pigeon Catcher) a half-length back in third.

Advertisement

It was a maiden stakes success for London Banker at his seventh attempt having not run a place in his previous six.

The son of Tavistock advances his record to nine wins, a second, and four thirds from 28 starts with earnings of $407,094.

“You don’t like to get too far ahead of yourself but we targeted two races, this race and the Caloundra Cup next week,” Schweida said.

“We gave him a really good break because he did a good job last time. It has taken him a little while, got the gun ride from Willie and well done to all the staff at home. They put in a lot of work.

“In running you wanted to be on him, you just didn’t want anything to go wrong. He looked good a long way out but that doesn’t always happen. He got the gun ride.

“We’ll go to the Caloundra Cup next week and will have an easy week. He’s backed up before and won. That’s been the plan all the way along.”

A $100,000 purchase for Roger James from the Kilgravin Lodge draft at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, London Banker is the 37th stakes-winner for the late Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock and his ninth in Australia this season.

London Banker a $100,000 Karaka yearling

Carrying the colours of Ron and Judy Wanless, London Banker is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the Encosta De Lago mare Palos De Lago a half-sister to Group 1 WS Cox Plate, Group 1 Yalumba Stakes, Group 1 Underwood Stakes and Group 1 CF Orr Stakes winner El Segundo (Pins).

Palos De Lago has a weanling colt by Proisir and was covered by him again last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Tattersall's Cup Gr3 2400m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 2:30.02
1
London Banker
- 6g Tavistock (NZ) x Palos De Lago (NZ) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: W Pike 55
2
2.0
Seat Of Power
- 7g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Ice Mint (USA) (Awesome Again (CAN))
Tnr: G R Duncan Rdr: Ben Thompson 55
3
2.5
Esti Feny
- 7g Pigeon Catcher (IRE) x Ejtihaad (IRE) (Nayef (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: J R Collett 55
4
5.2
Bonny Ezra
- 6g Road To Rock (AUS) x Ascolini (NZ) (Bertolini (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 55
5
5.3
Top Order
- 5g Top Echelon (AUS) x Rose Of Destiny (AUS) (Irgun (USA))
Tnr: K C Anderson Rdr: Taylor Marshall 55
6
6.1
Honorable Spirit
- 5g Charm Spirit (IRE) x Z'honor (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: J C Smerdon Rdr: Luke Tarrant 56
7
7.1
Lunasnit
- 5m Star Witness (AUS) x Lunar Snitzel (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: B J Lockwood Rdr: S T Collett 53
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett Leads Euro Sire List
The European flat season is in full swing with three year-old classics unfolding in the UK, Ireland and France, plus all the glitter and glamour of Royal Ascot looming next week and sitting at the top of the sire list by earnings is Wootton Bassett (GB).
Sadness at Arrowfield - Vale, Snitzel
Terribly sad news from Arrowfield Stud today with the passing of their much loved champion sire Snitzel.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
There were four heats at the Warwick Farm trials on Tuesday morning for juveniles and two were won by youngsters sired by Anders.
Vale Herbie Rauhihi
Former jockey Herbie Rauhihi, who was revered by many young hoops in the Central Districts, has passed away, aged 86.
2025 Stradbroke Field and Barrier Draw
The Group I BRC Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) to be run at Eagle Farm on Saturday has attracted a full field, plus emergencies and with $3million in prizemoney is a race that can have a bearing on the Australian sire tables late in the season.
New G2 Winner for Almanzor
Wootton Bassett is one of the hottest stallions in the world at the minute and the horse that started it all for him came along in his very first crop and that was Cambridge Stud’s Almanzor (Fr), who posted his 25th stakes-winner overnight.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 10
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Great Southern Sale Another Opportunity for Sejardan Fans
Blue Gum Farm are prepared to be busy this week ahead of the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale (June 13) with a draft of 22 and eight of them are from the first crop of the farm’s exciting young sire Sejardan.
Fifth Winner for Cool Aza Beel
With his star colt Cool Archie set to run as favourite in this weekend’s Group I BRC JJ Atkins (1600m), Newhaven Park’s Cool Aza Beel kept the momentum going with a new winner at Doomben on Wednesday in Kahlua Girl.
One to Watch – Seymour
Arrowfield Stud stalwart Snitzel is on track to be Champion Australian 2YO Sire this season and added a 20th 2YO winner to his tally at Seymour on Tuesday with an impressive debut winner from the Price /Kent stable.