Ones to Watch – Kiwi Breds at Bendigo

Tara Madgwick - Sunday December 17

Bendigo racing on Sunday produced a couple of interesting Kiwi bred winners from big stables that both started hot favourite and saluted.

Flamin' Romans wins with ease - image Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

The Maher and Eustace stable have enjoyed Group I success with $1.7million earner Smokin’ Romans and have also got an opinion of his full brother Flamin’ Romans, who won the 1500m maiden easily at his second start.

A four year-old gelding by Ghibellines, Flamin’ Romans was second on debut at Kilmore last month to Interlinked, who won at Caulfield on Saturday, so he looks to have more to offer.

“He was second first up to the horse that won at Caulfield, so the form was good coming into it and he improved a lot,” said winning rider Dylan Browne McMonagle.

“He settled much better today mentally into his race and relaxed good and picked up good, so there was nothing getting past. He’s a big boy and he’s going to progress in time, so hopefully he has a big future ahead of him.”

Flamin’ Romans is the fourth winner from four to race from Group III winning mare Inferno, a half-sister by Yamanin Vital to stakes-winner Ortem Fire.

The family appears once in the upcoming Karaka Yearling Sales with White Robe Lodge to offer Lot 997 in K2, a colt by Ancient Spirit (Ger) from Swelter, a full sister to Inferno.

Otago wins on debut - image Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

Saluting in the next race for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stable was three year-old Ocean Park gelding Otago, who powered way from a couple of very expensive fillies by The Autumn Sun to win the 1300m maiden by more than two lengths on debut.

Advertisement

Otago was a $50,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase from Brighthill Farm for Shaun Clotworthy and was subsequently sold to race in Australia for Roll the Dice Racing following a couple of impressive barrier trials.

“We picked him out off a trial in New Zealand, he won the trial quite impressively although did a bit wrong, but Junior (Michael Kent) really liked it and gave us a call and it ended up being a really strong trial, I think a Group III winner came out of it,” said Steve Travaglia of Roll the Dice Racing.

Beau Mertens partnered Otago and believes the gelding has a good future.

“He gave me a really good feel although is still green and inexperienced, which you would expect,” Mertens said.

“It felt like he really put them away nicely, but was still  doing a touch wrong so of course he has a lot of upside.”

Otago is a half-brother to three stakes-winners in Boots ‘n’ All, Toms and Air Max being the fifth winner from six foals to race from Steel Stilettos, an Australian bred Hussonet (USA) mare from the family of Group winners Vestey, Ready Set Sail and Turnitaround.

Visit the profile page for Ocean PArk

Ocean PArk in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - Drake International Mdn Plate 1300m

Bendigo Track: Good(3) Time: 1:16.28
1
Otago
- 3g Ocean Park (NZ) x Steel Stilettos (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Beau Mertens 58
2
2.3
Sparkling
- 3f The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Champagne Run (USA) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: Jordan Childs 56
3
3.3
The Autumn Belle
- 3f The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Winning Belle (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: Madison Lloyd 56
4
8.8
Whispering Pharaoh
- 3g American Pharoah (USA) x If I Can I Can (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: Teodore Nugent 58
5
9.8
Order To Charge
- 4g War Decree (USA) x Colonel's Daughter (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: D W Stackhouse 59.5
6
10
Precious Conflict
- 4m War (AUS) x Diamond Lady (AUS) (Kempinsky (AUS))
Tnr: Jarrod Robinson Rdr: J Duffy 57.5
7
25
Delta City
- 4m Boulder City (AUS) x Delta Whiskey (AUS) (All Chatter (USA))
Tnr: C J Davis Rdr: Lauren Burke 53.5
More Reading...
Delacroix Brings Dubawi Outcross to Coolmore Roster
Blueblood 3YO Dubawi colt Delacroix has been retired and the dual Group I winner will stand at Coolmore in Ireland in 2026.
2025 G1 Cox Plate Field and Barrier Draw
A field of nine has been finalised for the 2025 Cox Plate with favourite Via Sistina drawing gate seven for Chris Waller and James McDonald, while one three-year-old has accepted to run in Nepotism.
Cambridge Stud Celebrate Ceolwulf Victory
Homebred Ceolwulf’s successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday October 20
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.