Bunker Hut (NZ)- Another Inglis Digital Success Story

Media Release - Saturday September 9

Talented Kiwi bred four-year-old Savabeel gelding Bunker Hut provided his new connections with a dream start when he powered to a first-up victory at Rosehill on Saturday in the Darby Racing colours.

He was making his first appearance since he was successful at Warwick Farm in June, but with the benefit of a recent trial he was presented in prime order for the Midway Handicap over 1200m by trainer Michael Freedman.

Bunker Hit wins for Darby Racing - image Steve Hart

The Waikato Stud-bred and sold Bunker Hut camped in behind the pace and, once into the clear 250m from home, he lengthened stride strongly for rider Tyler Schiller to overpower his rivals.

“It’s a good early return for Darby Syndications who have just purchased the horse online. He’s a nice horse and I think he’s still got a bit of improvement in him,” Schiller said.

Bunker Hut was originally raced by a China Horse Club and Newgate Farm syndicate, having been sold at the Easter Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Sledmere Stud on behalf of Waikato Stud, for A$520,000.

Bunker Hut posted two wins and four placings from 10 appearances before he was secured by Darby Racing for A$155,000 through Inglis Digital.

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“It’s great for Darby Racing. He was one of those horses that didn’t fit the profile for Henry Field and his crew in terms of a stallion prospect, so when he went on the market I had a chat to Scott (Darby) and said that it would be a good opportunity to get some new owners involved and they wouldn’t have to wait long to get to the races,” Freedman said.

“It is terrific that he has been able to step out for them first time and put a win on the board and I think there’s a bit more in him. I’ve always felt he was a genuine Saturday class horse.”

“How far he can get remains to be seen but I think he has certainly got a few more BenchMark points in him.”

Bunker Hut is out of the Pins mare Pretty and is a half-brother to stakes winners Bonny O’Reilly and Pretty To Sea and to the dam of Group One winner Espiona.

In foal to Ocean Park, Pretty has an unraced three-year-old sister to Bunker Hut and her Ocean Park colt sold for $360,000 at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale to trainer Chris Waller and agent Guy Mulcaster. – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Midway (Bm72) 1200m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:09.94
1
Bunker Hut
- 4g Savabeel (AUS) x Pretty (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: Tyler Schiller 57
2
0.8
Iron Man
- 4g Exosphere (AUS) x Sequential Charm (AUS) (Sequalo (AUS))
Tnr: Edward O'Rourke Rdr: Rachel King 55
3
1.3
Glacier Queen
- 5m Vancouver (AUS) x Zefta (AUS) (Zeditave (AUS))
Tnr: David Pfieffer Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 54
4
2.1
Defiant Heart
- 6g Shamus Award (AUS) x Shattered Heart (NZ) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: R E Ollerton Rdr: B Prebble 58.5
5
2.2
Bundeena
- 4g Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Smile Of Desire (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: Brock Ryan 56
6
2.3
Mayrose
- 5m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Mallard (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: J R Collett 58.5
7
2.4
Spicy Hotpot
- 4m Russian Revolution (AUS) x Black Tulip (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Sara Ryan Rdr: Regan Bayliss 55
8
2.9
Michelle's Girl
- 5m The Factor (USA) x I'm Still Here (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: Kellie Nicholls Rdr: Jenny Duggan 54
9
3.1
Irish Kisses
- 6m Shamus Award (AUS) x Stolen Kisses (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: T J Bartley Rdr: C Schofield 57
10
4.4
Miss Checkoni
- 6m Nicconi (AUS) x Incheck (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: Nick Mitchell Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55.5
11
4.5
Extreme Spirit
- 3c Extreme Choice (AUS) x Miss Spirituality (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Zac Lloyd 52
12
4.9
Putt For Dough
- 5g Winning Rupert (AUS) x Margham (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Mick Attard Rdr: A Hyeronimus 58.5
13
12.2
Divine Breath
- 6m Scissor Kick (AUS) x Angel's Breath (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: Ms T Bateup Rdr: Molly Bourke 54
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