Toronado Double at Caulfield

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday December 18

An early start to the Wednesday meeting at Caulfield has produced a race to race double for Swettenham Stud’s promising young sire Toronado (IRE).

Masked Crusader is the most expensive yearling sired by ToronadoTeam Hawkes have taken a patient approach with three year-old gelding Masked Crusader, who was bought for $340,000 out of the Gilgai Farm draft from the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Hawkes Racing / Cameron Cooke Bloodstock, making him the most expensive yearling by Toronado sold so far in the Southern Hemisphere.

Masked Crusader did plenty wrong when finishing fifth on debut at Wyong last month, but switched to Melbourne looked a new horse when bolting clear to win the 1200 metre maiden by nearly four lengths as favourite.

He travelled behind the leaders for James Winx and when asked to accelerate quickly stormed away to post the easiest of wins.

"It's only a maiden but when he dropped them - wow," Winks said.

"He just struggled around the bend, I just had to wait for him to get his action and drop. When he gained his composure, he just left them behind.

"The best thing about it is that if he had something to go with him, he would have had something more to give. He's up there with the better horses that's for sure."

Masked Crusader runs for an ownership group that includes Rupert Legh, who has been involved with  101 winners in 2019!



Bred by Gigai Farm, most famous for having bred and sold Black Caviar and All too Hard, Masked Crusader is a half-brother to stakes-placed Outlaw Kate and is the second winner from She’s Got Gears, a stakes-winning daughter of Invincible Spirit (IRE).

Gilgai Farm will offer the current yearling from She’s Got Gears, a colt by Sebring, as Lot 762 at Magic Millions 2020.

The following race was won by Toronado filly Mrs Beckham, a homebred for New Zealand breeder Kevin Hickman of Valachi Downs.

Trained by Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Mrs Beckham also ran out an impressive winner taking the 1440m maiden by three lengths at her fifth start.

"She's always shown us a lot from the start when she arrived from New Zealand late last year," said co-trainer Simon Zahra.

"We've done a fair bit with her and now she's gradually improving. When she learns how to chill out and race properly she'll be a nice filly."

Mrs Beckham is the first winner for Posh, a placed half-sister by Zabeel to Group III placed Massa Lu from the family of Group I winners Zeditave, Melito and Norzita.

Masked Crusader and Mrs Beckham are two promising types for High Chaparral’s quality son Toronado, who has had over 120 foals born this spring.
 


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Mdn Plate 1200m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.03
1
Masked Crusader
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x She's Got Gears (AUS) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: J Winks 57
2
3.8
Little Stevie
- 3f Dream Ahead (USA) x Sweet Little Lies (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: Craig Williams 55
3
7.8
Miss Charlee Lyn
- 4m Myboycharlie (IRE) x Bahamian Star (AUS) (Bahamian Bounty (GB))
Tnr: Chris Calthorpe Rdr: J Duffy 56.5
4
7.9
Mr Causeway
- 3g Zebedee (GB) x Chinese Whispers (NZ) (Woodman (USA))
Tnr: C W McDonald Rdr: D Oliver 57
5
8.0
Mediated
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Eloisa (AUS) (Danzero (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 57
6
9.3
Fortessa
- 3f Needs Further (AUS) x Testamarriage (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: Lloyd Kennewell Rdr: Zac Spain 55
7
15.3
Quality Diamond
- 3f Cluster (AUS) x Asufas (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: Ms N Burke Rdr: Beau Mertens 55
More Reading...
Quinella for Toronado in Launceston Guineas
Despite being caught wide for the majority of the trip, the three-year-old Toronado (IRE) filly Still A Star proved a class above in Saturday’s Listed Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas (2100).
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.
Toronado Four Winners in Two Days!
Fresh from siring a metropolitan winning double on Wednesday with Masked Crusader and Mrs Beckham, Toronado (IRE) was quick to follow up with another double at Warrnambool.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
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.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
Surprise Bart Cummings Victory Secures Valiant King Melbourne Cup Run
It’s not often you see a runner from the Chirs 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).
Toronado Stakes Quinella
Tasmanian filly Still A Star provided Toronado (IRE) with his second stakes win in Australia when the three-year-old scored a five length victory in the Launceston Guineas (21000) on Saturday.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).