West Aussie influence continues to grow

Tom Walter - Thursday October 19

Western Australian gallopers have become an ever-increasing influence on racing in the eastern states.

Advertisement
Hay List - one of many champions to emerge from the west. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Since the deeds of WA's champions from the early 2000s, Northerly, manifold horses from the arid state have proven successful during the Melbourne and Sydney carnivals, particularly the former.

This has happened in spite of what may be widely regarded as largely inferior breeding stock and high travel costs.

Whether visiting or transferring to a new stable, WA horses have made their presence count in some of the country's biggest races.

Take Vega Magic, which arguably should have won last Saturday's The Everest. He has claimed a pair of Group I's and earned more than $2.74 million in just four starts for the Lindsay Park empire.

Then there's Black Heart Bart, the Darren Weir acquisition which had an immediate impact in Melbourne with an incredible second placing in the 2016 Group I Newmarket Handicap, less than three months after running over 2100m back home. Six wins have followed for the son of Blackfriars, five at Group I level.

They are just two WA products to have measured up on the eastern seaboard in recent years, others include fellow Group I winners Hay List, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast, Scenic Shot, Plastered, Sheidel, Old Comrade and Delicacy.

But the most significant trend has been the influx of WA horses just below the top tier, ones that have still featured in a multitude of quality races.

In just the past month we have seen the likes of Rock Magic, Cool Passion, Samovare, Star Exhibit, Scales Of Justice, He Or She, First Among Equals, Lite'n In My Veins, Malibu Style and Chocolate Holic, as well as this Saturday's Caulfield Cup contender Boom Time.

Boom Time, trained by the Lindsay Park operation, is aiming to become the first WA winner of the Caulfield Cup since the great Northerly in 2002 but will have to do so at the blow-out price of $51.

If anything, the WA influence is set to only grow as the form of Perth's stakes races continues to hold up, providing encouragement for others to make the long journey east.

And while we are on the topic of WA, honourable mentions must go to two horses from a pre-Northerly era - the Wally Mitchell-trained Placid Ark, which won the Group I Lightning Stakes (1000m), Group I Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Group I Newmarket Handicap (1200m) in consecutive starts during the late 1980's, and Bart Cummings' 1999 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hero Rogan Josh.
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday May 4
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
I Am Invincible Sprinter wins $1million Archer - Inglis Graduates Trifecta
A weekend that dreams are made of for Neil Jenkinson was today capped off with Easter yearling Lubrication (I Am Invincible) winning the $1m The Archer at Rockhampton.
Raining Black Type at Geisel Park
Geisel Park and its Group 1 racehorse and sire Manhattan Rain are poised to launch another winning wave in Group company at home and on the road with their fillies and mares in May.
2.3million Justify Colt Wins G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas for Godolphin
The weekend started well for Godolphin when their unbeaten filly Good Cheer won the Group I Kentucky Oaks on Friday and it got even better on Saturday when record priced  €2.3million Justify colt Ruling Court landed the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas in the UK.
Twin Hills Weanling Draft Showcases Daumier and Peltzer
Olly and Amber Tait’s Twin Hills Stud at Cootamundra is home to a couple of young fledgling sires in G1 Blue Diamond winner Daumier and Peltzer, who recently had his first winner and their draft for the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale starting on Monday has a good representation for both young stallions.
Kentucky Derby Triumph for Godolphin
Sheikh Mohammed’s revered Godolphin racing and breeding operation have won Derbies all over the world, but until today the Kentucky Derby had proven elusive, but a three year-old colt called Sovereignty changed all that at Churchill Downs before a crowd in excess of 150,000.
Newgate to Offer Femminile at MM National
The month's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast received an incredible update when rising staying star Femminile won the Group One SA Derby (2500m) at Morphettville yesterday.
FBAA Mentorship Program - Successful Applicants Announced
The FBAA is excited to announce the selection of two mentees to participate in the second annual FBAA Mentorship Program commencing 19th May 2025.
One to Watch – Sale
Reigning Australian Horse of the Year Pride of Jenni was not the only ‘Jenni’ making a trip to the winner’s circle this weekend.
Inglis Australian Weanlings - Unraced Trial Report
With the Inglis Australian Weanling sale kicking off on Monday don’t forget to check the unraced trialler report for a bit more intel on what might be coming.