One to Watch – Doomben

Tara Madgwick - Monday December 5

The $250,000 Group III BRC Grand Prix (2100m) will be run at Eagle Farm on December 17 and a three year-old that won impressively at Doomben on Saturday will be one of the top contenders.

Kovalica (NZ) has won three on the trot - image Grant Peters/ Trackside Photography

Champion trainer Chris Waller has had good success with the progeny of Cox Plate winning sire Ocean Park and looks to have another nice prospect by the Waikato Stud based sire in progressive three year-old Kovalica.

Fourth on debut at Newcastle in mid- October, Kovalica won his next two starts at Wyong and Warwick Farm before heading up to Queensland.

He was a short priced favourite for the $125,000 BRC Eagle Way Quality (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday and won with authority scoring by more than two lengths.

A $110,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase for Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Curraghmore draft, Kovalica runs for Neville Morgan and David Devine. He has three wins from four starts with earnings just shy of $120,000 and the Group III BRC Grand Prix on December 17 looks to be a perfect race for him.

Advertisement

Kovalica is the first winner for Vitesse, a winning half-sister by Makfi (GB) to triple Group I winner The Bostonian from the family of two time NZ Horse of the Year King Mufhasa.

This family produced a new stakes-winner last Saturday in New Zealand when Sacred Satono won the Group III Bonecrusher Stakes and Kovalica may also bring new Black Type to the family on Saturday week, read about him here.

Kilgravin Lodge will offer a yearling half-sister by Super Seth to Kovalica at Karaka Book 1 as Lot 626.

Visit the profile page for Ocean PArk

Ocean PArk in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - R&W Ascot Eagle Way 3yo 2000m

Doomben Track: Soft(7) Time: 2:04.51
1
Kovalica
- 3g Ocean Park (NZ) x Vitesse (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: James Orman 59
2
2.3
Noah 'n' A Deel
- 3f Maurice (JPN) x Double Deel (AUS) (Dundeel (NZ))
Tnr: L D Kelly Rdr: S Cormack 57.5
3
4.6
Cash Me
- 3g Pariah (AUS) x Just Pay Up (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Jack Bruce Rdr: Ben Thompson 54.5
4
4.9
Tapildoodledo
- 3g Proisir (AUS) x Mrs Tappy (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: K & I Taplin Rdr: M R Du Plessis 56
5
5.1
Four Mile Lane
- 3g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Badawiya (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: R Tyrell & T Button Rdr: Martin Harley 55
6
7.2
Classique Gal
- 3f Heroic Valour (AUS) x Lullaby Lady (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: B W Brown Rdr: Adin Thompson 52.5
7
23.9
The Heroine
- 3f Heroic Valour (AUS) x Retrospectively (AUS) (Congrats (USA))
Tnr: D Chujo Rdr: N Tomizawa 54
More Reading...
Another Impressive New Winner St Mark’s Basilica
A colt that holds entries for several upcoming Group races, Piazza San Marco became the 12th winner for Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (FR) when bolting in at Galway overnight.
Are You Sending a Mare to Cogburn?
Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded on Tuesday with the rise of exciting young sire Not This Time as a big player on the world stage well and truly illustrated with 22 of his yearlings selling at an average $805,682.
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.
Derby Dream for Exciting Kiwi Bred 3YO Kovalica
Smart staying three-year-old Kovalica gave favourite punters few concerns when he cruised to victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Trainers Rewarded with Continued NZB Ready to Run Series
With the continued long-term support of Majestic Horse Transport and Dunstan Horsefeeds, NZB is pleased to announce that the Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series will return for its sixth edition this season, kicking off on Saturday at two venues. ? 
2023 Queensland Derby Hero Kovalica Triumphs in Q22 Thriller
Kovalica made a welcome return to winning form when he prevailed in a pulsating three-horse finish to the A$1.2 million Gr.2 HKJC World Pool Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Ocean Park 3YO Kovalica Romps in Queensland Derby
Odd-on favourite Kovalica completed a fantastic day for owner Neville Morgan, trainer Chris Waller, and jockey James McDonald when he put the field to the sword in the  $1,000,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Karaka Graduates Honoured at New Zealand Horse of the Year Awards
The champions of New Zealand’s 2024-25 season were crowned during the Horse of the Year Awards in Hamilton on Sunday night, where four Karaka graduates were named the standouts of their respective categories.
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 9
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.