Exciting 2YO Stakes-Winner for Denman

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday January 1
Exciting two-year-old Whiskey Neat cemented his claim for the favourite's tag for the rich Listed Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) later this month when he led all the way to take out the Group III Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie bringing a huge pedigree update for his Magic Millions bound three-quarter brother.

Whiskey Neat - Trish DunnelThe Tony Pike-trained gelding had set tongues wagging when he won by ten lengths on debut at Otaki last month. That victory left pundits wondering if he could replicate that sort of effort against a far stronger field in Tuesday's Group Three feature.

Those questions were answered in emphatic fashion as the strapping Denman youngster dominated from the front throughout the contest before coasting home to down the previously unbeaten Aotea Lad and Exuberant in a slick 1.10.66 for the 1200m journey.

Despite getting a little wayward over the last 100m, Pike was pleased with Whiskey Neat's debut outing at the Ellerslie track under race-day conditions as he looks forward to the Karaka Million later this month.

"He got quite lost today off the bridle," he said. "It's obviously a lot stronger race today.

"Leith (Innes) rode him well, cuddled him up around the corner, but when he went for him it took him a while to work it out.

"He changed legs a couple of times and had a good look at the winning post, so he will obviously improve off that."

The $42,000 first prize from the race will more than qualify Whiskey Neat for the Karaka Million with Pike happy to go into the $1 million juvenile feature on January 26 without another run for his charge.

"He needed to win today to think you were a chance of winning the Karaka Million," he said.

Whiskey Neat as a yearling"He has beaten some nice two-year-olds behind him.

"He'll improve a lot so we're looking forward to three and a half weeks from today.

"We'll just keep him ticking over and maybe come back for a gallop if they open the course before that meeting."

Rider Leith Innes was satisfied by the effort and believes there is more to come for the youngster.

"He got softened up the whole race and they all had their chance to get past him," he said.

"He's a big, gross horse who I don't think Tony (Pike) has got to the bottom of yet."

A $220,000 NZB Book One purchase for Waikato Bloodstock from the Koru Thoroughbreds draft, Whiskey Neat was a successful pinhook having been bought by Koru Thoroughbreds in Australia from the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $72,500 out of the Newgate Farm draft.

Raised at Newgate Farm, Whiskey Neat is the third winner from three foals to race from Ouija, a winning half-sister by Viscount to Group II winners Renaissance and Sessions from stakes-winner Seances, a half-sister to ill-fated Group I winner Unworldly.

The current yearling from Ouija is a colt by another of Lonhro's sons in Exosphere and will be offered by Fernrigg Farm as Lot 884 at the Gold Coast in January.

Whiskey Neat is the 13th stakes-winner for Denman, a value member of the Darley NSW roster standing at a fee of $8,800. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Larneuk Stud’s value Lonhro sire Impending only just missed a century of winners last season and was quick to keep the momentum going with a promising debut winner at Cranbourne on Friday in the Laurel Oak Bloodstock colours.
One to Watch – Kembla
The Myracehorse owners that braved the cold and damp conditions at Kembla on Friday were well rewarded when their Farnan gelding Ninja trotted up to win by a widening 11 lengths!
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for last season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end this season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
More Stakes Success for Denman Mare
Mornington trainer John McArdle and a big team of owners have already had a lot of fun with talented Denman mare Humma Humma, who produced a personal best performance to win the Listed MRC Alinghi Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Glorious Goodwood Day 3 – Flag Start Can’t Stop Wootton Bassett
The Group I Nassau Stakes (1m2f) for fillies and mares was the highlight on the third day of Glorious Goodwood and very nearly didn’t happen at all given the ‘biblical’ rain and a flag start for the five runners that braved the treacherous conditions.
Bountiful and Many Men to be Offered at Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale
The high-class pair BOUNTIFUL (Zoustar) and MANY MEN (Study of Man) have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online Southern Hemisphere Pop-Up Sale to be held in collaboration with Inglis Digital Australia on Wednesday 6th August to Thursday 7th August. Full details of the sale which will take place on the Tattersalls Online website are now available to view at www.tattersallsonline.com.
Denman's Deprive Wins a Thrilling Show County
The judge needed a magnifying glass to determine the winner of Saturday's Group III Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick and he found Godolphin's ultra-consistent Denman gelding Deprive had the narrowest of margins over More Than Ready's emerging sprinter Trope.
Alma Vale Thoroughbreds Welcome First foal for Ozzmosis
The next chapter for Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis has officially begun with the arrival of his first foal. A bay colt out of the stakes-placed mare Cool Change (NZ) was born last night at Alma Vale Thoroughbreds, marking a significant milestone for the exciting son of Zoustar.
Denman's Humma Humma Breaks The Ice
The stars aligned for perennial bridesmaid Humma Humma in Saturday’s Listed Redelva Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.
Yes Yes Yes Filly Wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus
Passionate owner/ breeder Julia Ritchie is one of the key shareholders in Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, who recently relocated to Gooree Park Stud, and a filly she bred and sold called Mrs Goldberg collected a $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus on Friday at Coffs Harbour.