Impressive Debut Victory for Pinhook Winner – Half-Sister for MM

Tara Madgwick - Saturday December 28

A $255,000 weanling purchase in Australia that was then sold for $500,000 at Karaka Book 1 by Kaha Nui Farm, good looking Deep Field gelding Field of Play made a mess of his rivals at Moonee Valley on Saturday when bolting in to win as he pleased,

Field of Play bolts in at Moonee Valley - image Grant Courtney

Field of Play bolts in at Moonee Valley - image Grant Courtney

Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Field of Play was heavily backed in the 1200m juvenile contest and jumped quickly for Blake Shinn before taking a sit behind the leaders.

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He zoomed around them before the turn and galloped away to win by more than three lengths in a dominant display.

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uo;He knew his job very well and full credit to Trent and Nat as they prepped him up nicely and well done to Mike Kneebone and Patella Racing, they’ve got a smart horse here,” Shinn said.

“I think he’s ultimately more of a Guineas style of horse / a miler type, but what he did today over 1200m was very impressive.”

 Co-trainer Trent Busuttin indicated after Saturday’s race that the gelding is likely to target the Group I Blue Diamond (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22.

“He’s shown that sort of ability at home, so we were hoping he’d do that today,” Busuttin said. “Two-year-olds get beaten more than they win first-up, so we’re very happy to get the win.

“He was up and going early in the spring and we took him to those first two-year-old trials at Caulfield, and he got a bit lost that day. But Luke Currie gave him a big wrap and said wait for 1200m, so we tipped him out, gave him a little break and now here he is. When Blake pushed the button as early as he did today, he obviously had a lapful of horse.

“A race like the Blue Diamond is a natural target for him. We’re mindful of the fact that he’s not a 1000m type of two-year-old, so we’ll probably try to get him into the Blue Diamond Prelude (Gr.3, 1100m) in early February and go from there.”

Field of Play has a bright future - image Grant Courtney

Field of Play has a bright future - image Grant Courtney

Consigned by Middlebrook Valley Lodge to the Inglis Weanling Sale where he was sourced by Kaha Nui Farm, Field of Play was purchased at Karaka by

Jamie Richards / Andrew Williams Bloodstock and runs for Patella Express Racing managed by Mike Kneebone.

Bred by Verna Metcalfe and Ted and Sandra Beirs, Field of Play is the third winner from three foals to race from winning I Am Invincible mare Californiasurprise, a daughter of Group III winner Camporella.

Alma Vale Thoroughbreds will offer the current yearling from Californiasurprise, a filly by Stay Inside, at Magic Millions as Lot 241.

Lot 241 - Half-sister by Stay Inside to Field of Play.

Lot 241 - Half-sister by Stay Inside to Field of Play.

Purchased from the 2022 Inglis Broodmare Sale for $140,000 by the Beirs family’s Glenbawn Bloodstock, Californiasurprise has a colt to follow by Artorius and was covered again by the same sire.

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Race Result - Drummond Golf Hcp 1200m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(4) Time: 1:12.13
1
Field Of Play
- 2g Deep Field (AUS) x Californiasurprise (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: B Shinn 58
NZB Karaka Book 1 $500,000
Seller: Kaha Nui Farm
Buyer: Jamie Richards / Andrew Williams Bloodstock
Inglis Australian Weanling Sale $255,000
Seller: Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Scone
Buyer: Kaha Nui Farm
2
3.3
Tom
- 2g Doubtland (AUS) x Tripled (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 58
3
4.3
Jenni Gone Bonkers
- 2f Maurice (JPN) x Lamarque (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Celine Gaudray 56
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $40,000
Seller: Bhima Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW
Buyer: Cape Schank Stud
4
6.8
Neverenoughlego
- 2c Ole Kirk (AUS) x Excessabeel (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Craig Williams 59
5
7.2
Green Spaces
- 2c Street Boss (USA) x Outdoor (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: H Coffey 58
6
7.9
Yule Point
- 2c Blue Point (IRE) x Thala (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Beau Mertens 58
7
11.4
Tsavo
- 2c Microphone (AUS) x Mondial (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58
8
12.2
She Has Spirit
- 2f Admire Mars (JPN) x Simogramor (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Ms L J Meech 56
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