Talented Kiwi Redwood Gelding Wins Again

Media Release - Saturday July 22

Exciting New Zealand-bred galloper St Lawrence is continuing his rapid rise through the grades, collecting the sixth win of his seven-start career in the A$130,000 Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

St Lawrence scores a comfortable victory at Caulfield on Saturday.  Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

The four-year-old son of Redwood was dropping down in class for the Benchmark 78 handicap, having scored a last-start victory in Benchmark 84 grade over the same course and distance four weeks ago. That brought a rise in weight on Saturday to 61.5kg – reduced by 1.5kg by apprentice jockey Carleen Hefel – but he was nevertheless one of the hottest favourites of the day at $1.80, and he duly delivered.

After breaking well from the inside gate, St Lawrence initially settled in fifth spot along the fence. But Hefel spotted an opportunity to move off the rail coming down the side of the track, and by the time he rounded the home turn, the hot favourite was in clear air and had moved into third.

Front-runners Netanyahu and Scantoon gave a kick, but St Lawrence worked through his gears and slowly but surely reeled them in. He hit the front 50m from home and went clear to score a comfortable win by a length and a half.

“From barrier one, he got stuck on the rail for a while and then the race shape changed coming down the side,” Hefel said. “But I was able to get off into the one-one at the right time, and I don’t think this horse will be in these benchmark handicaps for long. When he got to his top gear, he let down really nicely and hit the line super strong.”

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for an ownership group that includes Ozzie Kheir, John O’Neill and Gerry Harvey, St Lawrence has now had seven starts for six wins, one placing and A$284,997 in stakes.

“He’s a big, strapping lad,” stable representative Jack Turnbull said. “He tips the scales well over 500 and there’s plenty of substance there. He’s a nice horse, he’s sound, and he’s still at a position in the handicaps where he can continue to go through his grades before we step into black type. It’s all going to plan so far.

Advertisement

“We’ll sit down with the owners and have a discussion about what we do from here, but it’s a good place to be in.”

St Lawrence is one of 31 winners in Australia this season for Westbury Stud stallion Redwood. That list is headed by the New Zealand-trained Group One star Sharp ‘N’ Smart, while exciting Queensland four-year-old Antino has won eight of his nine starts including the Listed Wayne Wilson (1600m).

Bred by Westbury owner Gerry Harvey, St Lawrence is one of five winners from seven foals to race out of the unraced Encosta De Lago mare Bacio Del Vinto, who is also the dam of Group Three winner Marroni.

St Lawrence began his career in New Zealand, where he was trained by Andrew Forsman. He won two trials on the Cambridge synthetic track, then overcame a wide run to score an impressive debut win at Hastings on April 16 last year.

He was later bought privately in a deal brokered by Maher’s bloodstock manager Will Bourne. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Catanach's Jewellers (Bm78) 1400m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:23.68
1
St Lawrence
- 4g Redwood (GB) x Bacio Del Vinto (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Carleen Hefel 61
2
1.5
Scantoon
- 6g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Scantily (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Celine Gaudray 55.5
3
1.7
Netanyahu
- 5g Alamosa (NZ) x Sing Song Girl (NZ) (Generous (IRE))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: Jordan Childs 57.5
4
1.9
First Mate
- 6g Toronado (IRE) x Admiral's Lady (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Kylie Vella Rdr: C Newitt 57
5
2.9
Danish Prince
- 4g Dane Shadow (AUS) x Crown Moss (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: M C Conners Rdr: W Egan 58
6
3.4
Serious Liaison
- 6g Zoffany (IRE) x Little Miss Smiley (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Lee & Shannon Hope Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 56
7
3.5
Polanco
- 7g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Our Fame (AUS) (Bellotto (USA))
Tnr: Shea Eden Rdr: Madison Lloyd 56.5
8
5.2
Christmas Diamond
- 6m Bated Breath (GB) x Velma Kelly (GB) (Vettori (IRE))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: R Downey 57
9
5.3
Turbeau
- 6g Brazen Beau (AUS) x Pantenny (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins Rdr: Laura Lafferty 57
10
8.1
Zimowy
- 7m Polanski (AUS) x Winter Dawn (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: K & K Keys Rdr: D Moor 56.5
More Reading...
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Kiwi Bred St Lawrence Another Bright Prospect for Redwood
Kicking off a new campaign at Caulfield on Saturday after four months off the scene, highly promising New Zealand-bred gelding St Lawrence wasted no time in making his mark.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
Ardrossan Supporters Rewarded with Taken
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.