First Group 1 Winner for Ocean Park as Kiwis Go 1-2-3 in Epsom

Mark Smith - Saturday October 5

What a day out for the New Zealanders at Royal Randwick and we are not just talking about Chris Waller and James McDonald.

Kiwi breds Brutal, Verry Elleegant and Kolding carved up some of the major races on the card and it was the Ocean Park gelding Kolding that led home a 1-2-3 finish from horses bred across the Tasman in the day's feature, the $1 million Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).

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Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by the King of the Randwick mile, Glenn Boss, Kolding stuck to his task in holding the challenge of the James McDonald on the 5yo Rip Van Winkle (IRE) gelding Te Akau Shark by a short-head with another son of Ocean Park, Star Of The Seas, three lengths back in third. (images Steve Hart).

Back in 2008, Boss was on Waller's first Group 1 winner, Triple Honour in the Doncaster Mile a point made by an emotional Waller following Kolding's victory.

"Obviously a very special win for everyone, the owners and Glen Boss who rode my first Group 1 winner," Waller said.

"It started the confidence and I haven't been in tears for a while, but I'm getting a bit emotional about it.

"I've got a great team behind me. We've grown with numbers. They work tirelessly behind the scenes. I can't thank them enough around the country. Many people put in what we finally see on race day.

"Since he went to Queensland (in winter), he's never looked back. He went there in good form and I think that he'll continue on from this too. Looking at him in the pre-race parade, he's still got a bit of improvement in him."

Kolding carries the colours of Neville Morgan's Kermadec who was trained by Waller and ridden by Boss to victory in the 2014 Doncaster.

Boss takes his record to four Epsoms to go with his seven Doncasters and he was also clearly emotional following the win.

"There are real fears coming back to Sydney when you are trying to break back into what is probably the hardest market in the world," Boss said.


" I wondered if I was making the right decision but it just felt right, it felt good for me, and when you are getting the support of Chris Waller, and riding his horses with light weights, that's a big start."

Purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock for $170,000 out of the Wentwood Grange draft at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Kolding advances his record 6 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 13 starts with earnings of $451,000.

He becomes the third stakes-winner out of the Danzero mare Magic Star who was purchased by Kolding's breeder Warren Pegg for $34,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

All seven of Magic Star's foals to reach the track are winners headed by the prolific Group II winner Sampson (Dubai Destination) and the Listed winner Miss Upstart (Snippetson).

She has an unraced 3yo Iffraaj filly named Faye Presto who was purchased for $150,000 by Grahame Begg Racing / Rohan J Hughes Thoroughbred Services at Karaka.

Sadly, Magic Star and her Astern colt foal died last spring.

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