Kiwi Breds a Winning Formula for Fiteni

Media Release - Friday July 12

A policy of sourcing thoroughbred talent from this side of the Tasman has produced rich rewards this season for Australian owner John Fiteni.

Miss Mandito - image Bruno CanatelliThe Queenslander hit headlines earlier this year with a superb Gr.2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) victory by his lightly-raced stayer Surprise Baby, and his colours were to the fore again at Flemington last weekend as Miss Mandito took out the Leilani Series Final (1400m).

"We've had a pretty good run," Fiteni said. "I've got between 15 to 18 horses in work at the moment, and most of my horses come out of New Zealand. I like to buy them off the farms, after hearing from the people who have bred and raised them. It's worked out really well.

"I just bought another couple from New Zealand earlier this month, so hopefully that continues with them."

Surprise Baby has provided a remarkable return on Fiteni's investment. The son of Shocking was bred by Rich Hill Stud, who were unable to sell him at Karaka either as a yearling or a Ready to Run two-year-old.

He was then listed on Gavelhouse.com, where Fiteni snapped him up for just $5,500.

"I bought him online and couldn't believe the price," he said. "I bought him sight unseen, after talking to the breeders and looking at photos."

Surprise Baby has won four of his eight starts for more than A$400,000 in stakes. In his most recent appearance, he was beaten by a nose in a head-bobbing finish to the Andrew Remsden (3200m) at Flemington, coming agonisingly close to a guaranteed start in this year's Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

"It's been a great ride with him so far, and it could be an exciting spring ahead," Fiteni said. "It'll be interesting to see what happens with him over the next few weeks."

Miss Mandito as a foal at Inglewood StudSurprise Baby became the second consecutive Adelaide Cup winner for Rich Hill stallion Shocking, following in the footsteps of Fanatic.

Miss Mandito, meanwhile, was bred by Gus Wigley at Inglewood Stud and was purchased privately. She is a daughter of Zacinto, who stood at Inglewood before relocating north to Valachi Downs.

Advertisement

Ridden on Saturday by expat Kiwi jockey Michael Walker, the four-year-old delivered a first metropolitan win for trainer Charlotte Littlefield.

Miss Mandito has now had 15 starts for four wins, four placings and just over A$140,000 in prize-money.

"It was a great win by that mare on Saturday, and Charlotte has done such a wonderful job training this horse for me," Fiteni said.

"Now we're hoping the horse can carry on and be competitive in some nice races in the new season.

"When the sire Zacinto started winning some races over here in Australia with his early progeny, Julian Hay – who is now Charlotte's husband – got in touch with the team at Inglewood and got the whole process underway. He passed on all the relevant information to me and asked me if I was interested in her, and I certainly was."

Miss Mandito is out of the O'Reilly mare Mandy O'Reilly, which makes her a half-sister to the highly promising juvenile Intimidate. Bred, raced and trained by the Wigleys, the Charm Spirit filly scored a stylish win at Riccarton on June 22.

Now the dam of two talented winners from two named foals, Mandy O'Reilly is a full-sister to the multiple Group-winning New Zealand mare Dating. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Briasa Wins $1million G2 Premiere Stakes- Everest Next
Twin Hills Stud’s Smart Missile will have a runner in the $20million The Everest and his explosive grey sprinter Briasa will be going into the race in top form following an exciting win at Randwick on Saturday in  the $1million Group I ATC Premiere Stakes (1200m).
First Stakes Horse for Home Affairs
The Group III ATC Breeders Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday attracted a strong field of talented colts from the recent official 2YO trials in Sydney and Home Affairs looks to have a quality youngster in I’m Ya Huckleberry.
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
McGaw Firms For Coolmore Stud Stakes After G2 Danehill Win
Considered an outside chance in betting markets, Emma-Lee and David Browne’s I Am Immortal gelding McGaw dented the reputation of a few leading Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes contenders with a fighting win in the $300,000 Gr2 VRC Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday October 3
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Surprise Bart Cummings Victory Secures Valiant King Melbourne Cup Run
It’s not often you see a runner from the Chris Waller stable go around at 50/1 odds, but 6yo gelding Valiant King (GB) produced an outstanding effort to win Saturday’s $350,000 Group 3 VRC Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington, securing himself a run in this year’s $10m Gr1 VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Pedigree Watch – Juvenile Stakes-Winners
Three new season juvenile stakes races on Saturday produced a $1million yearling purchase that gave Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside the perfect start to his stud career, a pinhook winner turned stakes-winner and a colt foaled in Australia with a Kiwi pedigree.
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 5
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Captivant Colt Shines at Warwick Farm Trials
Captivant’s burgeoning reputation for producing precocious 2YOs took another leap forward at today’s Warwick Farm trials, with Courthezon powering to victory in Heat 10.
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.