One To Watch - Gosford

Mark Smith - Thursday July 18

Beaten into second place when making his career debut at over 1500 metres at Hawkesbury on July 4, the 3yo Fastnet Rock gelding Dambulla made no mistake at his second try with a dominant performance over 1600 metres at Gosford on Thursday.

Hung out on a limb early from his outside barrier, Blake Shinn settled Dambulla on the outside of the pacesetting Nodeel, before setting the gelding to an all-out drive before the home turn.

Quickly disposing of the leader, Dambulla safely held the fast-finishing Zenardini (Bernardini) by a length and a quarter with Not A Biggie (Tavistock) a further three lengths back in third.

Advertisement

Trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, Dambulla originally made a sale-topping $400,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale but could elicit a bid of no higher than $150,000 by Dynamic Syndications when offered by Hallmark Stud at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka.

Bred by Coolmore, Dambulla is a half-brother to Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and Group 1 Yalumba Stakes winner Whobegotyou (Street Cry).

He is the tenth and final foal of the stakes-placed Temple of Peace (JPN) (Carnegie) who hit a home run for Emerald Thoroughbreds Bill Benson who purchased the then eight-year-old mare in foal to Strada, for just $5250 at the 2008 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, a year after the yearling Whobegotyou went through the ring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Progressive Mare Bred on Magic Cross
The magic Fastnet Rock x Galileo cross that has produced champion mare Via Sistina (IRE) was in the frame overnight in Ireland where six year-old mare Goodie Two Shoes scored a career best win in the Group III Stanerra Stakes (1m6f) at Fairyhouse.
One to Watch – Gosford
Capitalist had a double of debut winning two year-olds at Gosford on Thursday both prepared by Peter Snowden and while the expensive colt Caesar got the job done, it was the filly that really had people talking.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 10
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juddmonte Bred Orchid Bouquet Sells For Record 550,000 Guineas at Tattersalls July Day 2
rade soared on the second day of the Tattersalls July Sale with a new record price of 550,000 guineas for Juddmonte’s ORCHID BOUQUET and four lots realising 300,000 guineas or more. The median and average were up 67% and 60% respectively from the equivalent day in 2024 and the clearance rate was an impressive 91%.
More G1 Success for Fastnet Rock’s Avantage
A Champion 2YO that won the Karaka Million in 2018, quality Fastnet Rock mare Avantage again showed her class at Trentham on Saturday when scoring a determined victory in the Group I JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) defeating Enzo’s Lad, who had won the previous two editions of the prestigious sprint.
Milestone for Fastnet Rock
Champion sire Fastnet Rock clocked up his 100th Graded stakes-winner at the weekend in the US when five year-old entire Desert Stone captured the Group II San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita.
Debut Win for Expensive Capitalist 2YO
An $800,000 Magic Millions purchase from Attunga Stud for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, Capitalist colt Caesar was the highest priced yearling by his sire sold in 2024 and made a winning debut at Gosford on Thursday.
$1million Fastnet Rock Colt Chasing Karaka Million 3YO
Victorian trainer David Hayes will be in New Zealand later this week as he puts the finishing touches on three-year-old colt Conqueror ahead of Saturday’s $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m).
Nicks That Click – Looks Like This One Has Worked Again
This nick involving two champion sires is well proven and documented with a two year-old winner last Saturday appearing as the latest example.
G1 Sprinter Crocetti Returns to Work
Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has returned to Danny Walker and Arron Tata’s Byerley Park stable with some lofty summer targets in-mind.