One to Watch – Pakenham

Tara Madgwick - Thursday March 29
Third in a Group III event at her previous start, this two year-old daughter of All Too Hard was always going to be a short priced favourite at Pakenham on Thursday evening.

Prepared by the Hayes / Dabernig training partnership, Cristal Eyes was second on debut last month before finishing a close up third in the Group II VRC Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington on March 17.

Cristal Eyes as a yearlingRidden a confident race by Damien Oliver, she travelled sweetly outside the leader and kicked away to score a dominant length and a quarter win in the 1400 metre maiden.

"She’s already shown that she is stakes class and won with a bit in hand, so it was a comfortable win,” said Oliver.

Representing her trainers was Bruno Rouge-Serret, who feels there are better wins ahead for Cristal Eyes.

"Damien was told to ride her like she was the best filly in the race and she was,” he said.

"We’ll see how she pulls up, but we know she’s a stakes class filly and if they find the right race for her in Sydney she’ll be on the float.”

Cristal Eyes was a $100,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Arrowfield draft for Echo Beach Bloodstock and is a three-quarter sister -in-blood to All Too Hard’s Group II MRC Sandown Guineas winner Villermont.

She is the first winner for Champagne Run (USA), a US bred winning daughter of Group I STC Coolmore Classic winner Bollinger, who is also the dam of US Group II winner and sire Friesan Fire.

Champagne Run is closely related to Group I VRC Victoria Derby winner Benicio and her grand-dam is Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay, so Cristal Eyes is certainly bred in the purple.

Cristal Eyes is one of five new stakes horses this month for All Too Hard, who is working up to something big - read about him here.



Advertisment
More Reading...
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.