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...
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Sire Power Highlights Quality MM Horses in Training Catalogue
An incredible selection of the country's best proven and hottest young sires will feature at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale in October.
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.