breednet.com.au

Military Zone Continues Epaulette's Hot Run

Mark Smith - Saturday August 4

The first crop sires of 2017/18 may not have started the season with the same high expectations as some of the boom stallions of recent years however no less than eight sired stakes-winners - a total that has rarely been matched in modern times.

One of those stallions was Darley Stud's Epaulette. The striking son of Commands had a pair of Group III winners in Australia, the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes winner Khulaasa and the B.J. McLachlan Stakes winner Beryl. He topped off a highly successful first season when Soqrat captured the Group I Premiers Champion Stakes at Greyville in South Africa.

Advertisement

Epaulette has continued that fine run in the first week of the new season.


The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Military Zone came with a barnstorming finish to edge out the favourite Danawi in a benchmark 70 over 1200 metres at Randwick.

A last start winner over 1200 metres at Newcastle, Military Zone was settled back last by Kerrin McEvoy.

Sticking close to the rails he had only passed a couple when making the turn for home then had nowhere to go when running on to heels.

Switched out to find some clear air, the Triple Crown colour-bearer set out after the brave Danawi who was showing no signs of stopping.

Military Zone defeated Danawi (Exceed And Excel) by a nose with Onthetake (Krupt) a length back in third. (photos Steve Hart)

"That was a nice win," McEvoy said.

"We ended up getting a nice suck along. He showed a really nice turn of foot and is on the improve, that's for sure."

Purchased by Paul Willets for $140,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, Military Zone made the same amount when Triple Crown Syndications sourced him out of the Three Bridges draft at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Bred by Two Bays Farm, Military Zone is a three-quarter brother to Happy Forever, a stakes-winner in Macau.

He is the second foal of the Street Sense (USA) mare Loading Zone who is a half-sister to the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet winner Super Lacuna (Grand Lodge) and to Randwick winner Double Ranga the dam of Group II Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Scarlett Rain (Manhattan Rain).

Loading Zone has a yearling colt by Kermadec and was covered by Manhattan Rain last spring.

After covering 95 mares at a fee of $22,000 last season, Epaulette has earned an increase to $27,500 at Darley Stud this spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday December 18
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G3 Grand Prix Goal for Karaka Graduate
Gold Coast trainers Tony and Maddy Sears will be hoping talented filly Nightline can provide them with back-to-back winners of the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Rebel Dane Magic Trio Highlight the Passing of Time
With a Golden Slipper winning Champion 2YO in Fireburn coming from just his second crop of foals, Rebel Dane was an under the radar sire that found fame in a rush, but as so often happens it takes a very long time for that achievement to follow into the sale ring.
Russian Revolution Filly Chasing G2 Wakefield Challenge
Young talent Lara Antipova will be heavily in credit with Craig Grylls if she can carry him to victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham.
One to Watch – Seymour
With his oldest progeny now three year-olds Russian Camelot (IRE) can be expected to start making his presence felt a little more and he had an impressive winner at Seymour on Thursday for Roll the Dice Racing.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Three heats for juveniles at Randwick on Thursday morning were all won by unraced youngsters that included a million dollar filly from the first crop of Home Affairs and the other two winners both have siblings in upcoming sales.
Magic Millions Comes to Caulfield – Check Out the Sale Mail
Spots on the Gold Coast will be up for grabs at Caulfield Heath this Saturday with qualification pathways to next month’s $13.5 million Magic Millions Raceday including the $250,000 MM Victoria 2YO Classic (1100m).
Australian Racing Industry wants a say in pattern dispute
For some time, the Australian racing industry has been seeking to have Racing Australia(RA) resolve the current impasse around the Australian Black Type rules and pattern.
Magic Fillies Set to Clash in $250,000 MM Debut
Another piece of the Magic Millions puzzle will fall into place at the Gold Coast on Friday night with the running of the $250,000 Magic Millions Debut 2YO Plate (1000m) that features three well bred fillies from major stables that have been impressive at the trials.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday December 17
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.