One to Watch – Bendigo

Tara Madgwick - Sunday February 9

A blueblood Pierro filly from a Group I winning Redoute’s Choice mare was an easy choice as a One to Watch on Sunday at Bendigo.

Pula openes her account with a stylish win at Bendigo - image Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

Trained by Danny O’Brien and ridden by Blake Shin, three year-old filly Pula was second on debut at Geelong last month and took good improvement from that outing to win the 1400m maiden by a length and a half.

A homebred for Robert Anderson that was foaled and raised at Widden Stud, Pula is a half-sister to Group II placed Miss Aria and is the fifth winner from five to race from Group I VRC Myer Classic winner Bonaria.

Blake Shinn has ridden Pula in both of her starts and has a good opinion of her.

“Physically she’s a lovely big girl and a lot different to her sibling Miss Aria. She has a much bigger frame and nice size and scope so I think she can get out to a mile in time,” he said.

Pula is a filly going places - image Bret Holburt / Racing Photos

Danny O’Brien believes she has stakes potential as her career unfolds.

Advertisement

“I’ve been very patient with her, but I think she has a good future,” he said.

“She’s only had two starts but is a filly we think will go to a good level and how far we push on this prep I’m not sure. I’d be disappointed if she didn’t end up stakes grade by the end of her career.”

Her dam Bonaria, was also bred and raced by Robert Anderson, and comes from a prolific Black Type family featuring Group I winenrs Merchant Navy, Joliestar and Paulele.

Her yearling colt by Zoustar was sold in the Widden draft at Magic Millions this year for $800,000 to Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds/Kia Ora Stud.

Bonaria had no foal last year and is now back in foal to Zoustar, who is the sire of her stakes horse Miss Aria.

Advertisment

Race Result - Scenie Rim Veterinary Service Mdn Plate 1400m

Bendigo Track: Good(4) Time: 1:23.08
1
Pula
- 3f Pierro (AUS) x Bonaria (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: B Shinn 57
2
1.5
Sorastorm
- 3f Toronado (IRE) x Sora (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: H Coffey 57
3
1.7
Macha
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Lady Sharapova (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: John McArdle Rdr: Jordan Childs 57
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Yarraman Park Stud, Scone
Buyer: Withdrawn
4
1.9
Mrs Secombe
- 3f Harry Angel (IRE) x Comical Lass (NZ) (Captain Rio (GB))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: R J Hurdle 57
5
2.2
Moonlight Circus
- 3f Trapeze Artist (AUS) x My Sabeel (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Carleen Hefel 57
6
2.9
Bon Fete
- 3f Hellbent (AUS) x Resource (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: Zac Spain 57
7
4.2
It'sallover
- 3f Overshare (AUS) x Porte Cochere (AUS) (Bianconi (USA))
Tnr: Deanne Taylor Rdr: Neil Farley 57
8
4.7
Donegal Soul
- 3f Soul Patch (AUS) x Champawi (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: Liam Howley Rdr: D Moor 57
9
5.4
Think Hard
- 3f So You Think (NZ) x Go Straightandhard (AUS) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: J Bowditch 57
10
11.4
Our Santos
- 3f Santos (AUS) x Razeena (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Ms J Kennedy 55.5
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Three heats won by juveniles at Randwick on Thursday morning and two of those winners were unraced fillies by Home Affairs and Farnan with a half-sister to the latter being sold at Magic Millions on Tuesday and might just be a saleyard gift!
$1.6Million for Sister to Caffe Florian
Three year-old Snitzel filly Caffe Florian has been one of the finds of the summer in Sydney reeling off three successive wins culminating with a Black Type success in the Listed Gosford Guineas and her full sister lit up the Magic Millions sale ring on Thursday selling for $1.6million.
Star Colt and Star Filly Highlight Snitzel Day at Magic Millions
It was Snitzel day at the Magic Millions on Thursday with Arrowfield Stud’s much missed champion sire, who died last year, producing the top selling filly and colt of the day.
People at Magic Millions - Day Three
Day Three at Magic Millions and Maree wasn’t finding it difficult to find the love for Frankel, while there’s a great story about a $250,000 sale from a $6,000 service fee with Ben Lucas.
Home Affairs Filly Dazzling on Debut for Lindsay Park
The Lindsay Park team have had a week far beyond what we would call tough, but a good horse is often the best tonic and Home Affairs filly Jacaranda scored a dazzling six length debut win at Seymour on Thursday.
Hot Lots Day Four – Magic Millions
After three days of Book 1 selling, Friday’s super session sees 280 lots catalogued in what will surely be a bumper day in the ring.
$1.6million Snitzel Filly Stars at MM Day 3
The latest yearling from Arrowfield Stud's grand producer Madame Andree topped Day Three of selling at the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 15
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Anamoe Colt Bred on Magic Cross Sells for $850,000 to MyRacehorse
The first yearlings by Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe have been in hot demand this week at Magic Millions with two fillies selling for $800,000 and on Thursday that mark was surpassed by a gorgeous colt that made $850,000.
$1.1million Frankel Colt Sold by Newgate
Juddmonte Farms based champion sire Frankel has exerted a powerful presence on the Magic Millions this year and had a second million dollar yearling on Thursday when the Newgate Farm consigned colt from Miss Alacrity (USA) sold for $1.1million.