Six of Bank Maur’s nine starts have come in stakes races, and the son of Maurice (JPN) rang up his first black-type success in Saturday’s Group II DCE Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
The third winner on the day for Craig Newitt, the Richard Laming-trained Bank Maur defeated the Real Impact (JPN) gelding Suizuro by three-quarters of a length with the same distance back to the Satono Aladdin (JPN) gelding Japanese Emperor to bring up a trifecta for Japanese-bred stallions.
“I’m very excited. I’ve always believed in this horse, and so has Richie,” stable representative Tara Taggart said.
“He showed good ability from the get-go, and it was just a matter of time until we got him out over a bit of a trip. He proved today that he can stick on. He’s put his neck out and got it done.
Today he actually drew a good gate, was able to be put in a nice position, and there you go, he got the job done.
“No one gave up on this horse, he deserves a Group race, and I think he’ll go on and do better things.”
“Richie has always been a bit iffy about whether he will stay, but he definitely will.
“I think last prep he was definitely right, he probably wouldn’t, he wasn’t quite mature enough, but this preparation he’s filled out, blossomed and mentally and physically a lot stronger. I definitely think he’ll get further.”
“I just got beaten in the Alexandra Cup (with Fonteinbolt, which she trains), so I’m a bit disappointed, but this is even better.”
A $130,000 purchase by Laming Racing from the Milburn Creek draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Bank Maur advances his record to three wins and two seconds from nine starts with earnings of $708,900.
Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral and Belford Productions, Bank Maur is the first foal of the winning Redoute’s Choice mare Banksia.
A $380,000 yearling purchase for John Warren Bloodstock, Banksia is a half-sister to Group 1 William Reid Stakes winner and successful stallion Foxwedge and Listed winner She’s A Fox.
Ciaron Maher Bloodstock bought a brother to Bank Maur for $100,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, and he has been named Namesake.
At the recent Adelaide Magic Millions, Kendrick Racing shelled out $120,000 for Banksia’s Written Tycoon filly consigned by Collingrove Stud.
Not served in 2021, Banksia visited Admire Mars last spring.
Bank Meur is the 12th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud shuttler Maurice (JPN).
