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.

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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.

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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
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