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...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday September 3
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vivid Sun Shines Bright At Sandown
Recording her second win in as many starts, 3yo The Autumn Sun filly Vivid Sun looked something special as she resumed from a spell at Sandown to trounce her rivals by more than two lengths on Wednesday, signalling a step up to black type races during the Spring.
NZB Filly of the Year Series Springs to Life with Gold Trail Stakes
One of the traditional signs that spring racing has arrived in New Zealand is the running of the first leg of the NZB Filly of the Year Series, the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). The $150,000 race looks a little different this year in a temporary new home, but it will still give us that same first look at the latest crop of fillies vying for the coveted title.
Melbourne Cup Ciaron Maher Stable Also in the Hunt
Earlier this week we ran a story on the Chris Waller trained entries for this year’s Melbourne Cup and today we’re taking a look at the trainer with the next biggest number of contenders and that is Ciaron Maher with 13.
Winning Debut for Blueblood Cox Plate Dreamer
At the start of August we ran a story about the 3YO’s that were entered for this year Cox Plate and aside from the usual suspects there were some ‘Cox Plate’ dreamers and one of them was unraced Lonhro colt Attica, who made a winning debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Sunlight’s Sister Clean Energy Retired
The most expensive yearling filly sold in Australia in 2023 when fetching $2.6million for Widden Stud at Inglis Easter, Clean Energy has been retired to stud.
Engine of War Wins for MyRacehorse at Sandown
VRC Derby aspirant Engine Of War made a winning Australian debut from the quarters of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday over 1500m.
Alabama Lass Primed for G1 Moir
Tackling Group Ones on either side of the Tasman is nothing new for Ken and Bev Kelso, and they will do exactly that this weekend.
G3 Tibbie Next for Tuileries
Lightly raced So You Think mare Tuileries has long promised to measure up to stakes class and will be given that opportunity next start after returning to top form to win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Consecutive Wins As Cantiamo Defeats The Boys
With 60kgs on her back against the boys, it’s clearly evident there are bigger and better things ahead for the Kris Lees trained Cantiamo as the 3yo daughter of Too Darn Hot went back-to-back, winning the Precise Air Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm.