Wrote Produces 'Horse of a Lifetime'

Media Release - Friday October 10

Bruce Wallbank has been on a wonderful ride since returning to the training ranks last term, with his only horse Midnight Edition rising through the ranks to become one of the favourites in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1400m). 

Midnight Edition will contest Sunday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The 79-year-old bred the son of Wrote and after having success previously as a trainer, breeder and owner, he decided to prepare the gelding himself out of Pukekohe Park.

Always rating him as a serious talent, Midnight Edition proved that on the big stage at Ellerslie on Boxing Day last year, dead-heating the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) before losing the win in the inquiry room.

He continued to rise through the grades into his four-year-old term, dominating open-class opposition first-up at Te Rapa before returning to the course a fortnight later to go down by a narrow margin to Whiskey ‘N Roses.

Wallbank is rapt with how his gelding has returned as an older horse and believes he can make his presence felt in a big way at Arawa Park on Sunday.

“He’s a very good horse, I think he can win a couple of good races this year,” he said.

“He ran a good race (second-up), he blew quite a bit and possibly needed another gallop, so that was a grey-haired trainer’s fault I suppose. Masa (Hashizume, jockey) said he didn’t see the other horse coming either, so it was probably a combination of those, but he’s going very well and we think he can go very well in the Sweynesse.

“He can run on a hard track, a wet track, it doesn’t worry him, and we’ll have Matt Cameron on.”

Wallbank has heeded plenty of advice from trainers with Midnight Edition and had considered handing over the reins this spring to one of those in Nigel Tiley, but he is pleased to have continued on while he can.

Advertisement

“I’m getting close to 80 years of age now and things do get a little bit harder, but I’ve only got the one horse and Nigel is away overseas for four months through the winter so it’s not convenient at this stage,” he said.

“But he (Midnight Edition) has probably got three or four years ahead of him, so I’ll enjoy doing it while I can.

“He’s one of those horses you look for in a lifetime, he’s a hell of a nice horse and very easy to handle.”

Midnight Edition will remain the sole horse in his stable, but Wallbank is already looking forward to seeing his half-sister (by Proisir) hit the track at some stage this term for Katrina and Simon Alexander.

“We’ve got half-shares in a Proisir filly with Mark Chitty, she’s a beautiful two-year-old filly and has had two preparations,” he said. “I think she’s off to Katrina Alexanders in the next couple of weeks, she’ll come up as a late two-year-old.

“Midnight Gossip (dam of Midnight Edition) is a very good mare, she’s had three horses to the races and three black-type horses.

“She’s just foaled a magnificent Ace High filly, so we’ll give her a year off now.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Five More Seven-Figure Lots Close Out Tattersalls Book 1
A strong renewal of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale concluded with five further seven-figure lots led by a colt by Wootton Bassett at 1,900,000 guineas bought by the sale’s leading purchaser Godolphin.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 9
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cambridge Stud Mare Primed for Return
Patience has been a key factor in the rise of Jaarffi to the elite level and she’s in good order to open her six-year-old campaign at Rotorua.
Three 2.2million Guineas Colts Top Second Day of Tattersalls Book 1 - Two by Wootton Bassett
The second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw a further six lots realise seven-figure prices headed by a trio of colts, two by the late WOOTTON BASSETT, both bought by Amo Racing, and one by FRANKEL, at 2,200,000 guineas. The average was an impressive 352,672 guineas.
Anders Colt Goes Two for Two
Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and Anders three year-old Young Mister Grace has some big shoes to fill, but made it two wins from two starts when scoring at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
2025 Breeze Ups Postponed One Week
NZB has made the decision to postpone the Breeze Ups for the 2025 Ready to Run Sale due to unfavourable weather conditions with heavy rain and wind predicted through to Tuesday.
Melbourne Racing Club Chairman John Kanga Resigns
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) today confirmed that Chairman John Kanga has resigned from his position, effective immediately.
I Am Invincible Colt Tops Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale
A colt by champion Yarraman Park Stud stallion I Am Invincible topped today's Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale when selling for $550,000.
RAM Racing Join Forces with Newgate and GPI Racing for Everest
Western Australia’s RAM Racing have joined forces with Newgate and GPI Racing in their 2025 TAB Everest slot, reuniting with Group 1-winning sprinter Overpass and are set to bring a wave of loyal supporters from the west.
More First Season Sire First Foals
The Breednet foal gallery has been kept particularly busy of late so time to take a look at some of the recent arrivals by first season sires.