Derby Dreaming for High Chaparral Colt

Mark Smith - Saturday July 21

Not long after Baramul Stud put Saturday's Listed Oaklands Stakes winner Unfair Dismissal through the ring at the 2017 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, the famous Widden Valley nursery led up a colt from the final crop of High Chaparral (IRE).

However, there was not much interest in the colt who was knocked down to Ciaron Maher Racing for $50,000.

Named Visao, he earned that back with interest following a decisive win in Saturday's $120,000 Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington.

Advertisement

The 2yo colt was coming off an impressive maiden win at Mildura at just his second start.


With Damian Lane in the saddle, Visao settled midfield as Struycken and Fun Fact set honest fractions up front.

Eased out into clear air around the home turn, Visao let down impressively to defeat Lindsay Park's Pierro gelding Nero Chin Chin by one and three-quarter lengths with the Zacinto (GB) filly Necessitas the same distance back in third. (photo Grant Courtney).

Stable representative David Eustice said the big group of owners are already looking to the classics in the spring.

"Ciaron picked him out for a relatively cheap $50,000 at the Magic Millions as he is a half to a horse in the stable (Reserve Street) that was showing a bit of promise," Eustice said.

"He's not a big horse but he is quite mature. He is relatively set now, he is putting weight on in the right areas and his win at Mildura showed he was on an upward curve.

The Byerley winner is exempt for the ballot for the Group 1 Victoria Derby in the spring and that is the likely course for Visao.

"We can dare to dream. He will have a little let-up and look toward the race," Eustice said

"He doesn't look to have loads of scope but for a small horse he has got a great action."

Yet another descendant of the famed Denise's Joy, Visao is the fourth foal and third winner out of the Randwick winning Encosta de Lago mare Villa Moura who is a half-sister to Listed Wagga Wagga Gold Cup winner Landlocked (Zabeel) and to the dam of Macau Guineas winner Gold Alloy (Testa Rossa).

Villa Moura's dam Secover (Danehill) is a half-sister to Group II winner Light Up The World (Rory's Jester) and to the dams of triple Group 1 winner Bentley Biscuit (Pentre Celebre) and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner and top-class stallion Thorn Park (Spinning World).

After slipping to Sepoy in 2015 and to Lonhro in 2016, Villa Moura was one of 158 mares covered by Triple Crown hero American Pharoah last year.

Advertisment
More Reading...
From FNQ To Sha Tin - Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G2 Premier Bowl
Some horses arrive in Hong Kong with a very different back story - Fresh from winning the $20million The Everest with Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes was back in the winner’s list at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tomodachi Kokoroe won the Group II Premier Bowl (1200m).
Impressive First winner for Armory
Mapperley Stud stallion Armory recorded his first winner on Sunday when his two-year-old daughter Silhouette raced to a dominant victory in the Fusion Electrical Two-Year-Old (900m) at Trentham.
New Cup Goal for Wolfgang
It may not be the Cup target they were aiming for, but Wolfgang put himself firmly into Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) calculations following his victory in the SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup Prelude (2400m) at Te Rapa on Monday.
First Winner for King of Comedy
Novara Park Stud stallion King Of Comedy (IRE) is on the board as a sire, with his son Sir Ruby becoming his first winner when victorious over 1300m at Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia on Sunday.
Melbourne Cup Dream Alive for Kiwi Stayers
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) dreams are still alive for connections of Kiwi stayers Mark Twain and Trav.
One to Watch – Sha Tin – You Don’t See That Every Day!
The Mark Newnham stable has been on fire in Hong Kong since the start of the new season and the former Sydney trainer produced a super promising winner at Sha Tin on Sunday by Capitalist that did everything wrong and miraculously still won the race!
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 26
Here is the full list of 74 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wootton Bassett and Camelot 2YO Colts Win Final French Group Ones
The last French Group I races of their flat season were run on Sunday and Aidan O’Brien produced the winners of both the Group I Criterium International (1600m) and Group I Criterium de Saint Cloud (1800m).
Sale Cup Winner Adds to Fastnet Rock Super Weekend
It’s been quite the weekend for the late great champion sire Fastnet Rock with a Cox Plate quinella on Saturday and then on Sunday he produced a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding El Rocko captured the $200,000 Listed Sale Cup (1600m).
Rewarding Weekend for Waikato Stud
A double strike at stakes level, a filly with a black-type future and a welcome family success handed Waikato Stud another rewarding weekend.