One to Watch – Kembla

Tara Madgwick - Sunday May 13
With Group I racing in two states and a plethora of minor stakes races on Saturday it was easy to overlook what was happening at the provincials, but this winner is on a big upward spiral and might lead her trainer Richard Freedman to Queensland in coming weeks.

Three year-old Starcraft filly Vontaine overcame trouble to win at Kembla on debut on April 26 over 1200 metres and when stepped up to 1600 metres for a Class Two event showed herself to be something way above average.

Vontaine as a yearlingNot many three year-old fillies go from a maiden to a Class Two against older horses and win like she did.

Vontaine led all the way and opened up to win by seven lengths and was quite literally in a different class.

A modest $13,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Ambergate Farm draft (as agent for Middlebrook Station thoroughbreds) for Noel Mayfield-Smith, Vontaine is a half-sister to a pretty handy winner in My Psychiatrist and is the second winner from Severo.

 

"Severo is one of our client's mares who has resided with us since going to stud," said Jilly Henderson of Middlebrook Station Thoroughbreds. 


"Vontaine was raised from a foal along side She Will Reign (paddock mates) and both having won their maidens at Kembla Grange. Let’s hope she continues to greater heights like her paddock mate!"


A minor winner by Danzero, Severo is from stakes-placed Zabeel mare Vereza, a winner up to 2100m, and comes from the family of Champion 2YO and Golden Slipper winner Burst.

It’s a good old family and when you see sires like Starcraft, Danzero and Zabeel you are entitled to think Vontaine will get over some ground that will give her the option in the future of looking at some very nice races.



Advertisment
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday that featured some interesting winners including stakes-placed filly Horseshoe Hill, a couple of unraced youngsters by Zoustar and the highest priced yearling by Prague.
SWs in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel headline the June (Early) Online Sale
Stakes winners in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel, along with a significant number of young, well-bred racing and breeding prospects headline another intriguing catalogue for the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?