Sixth Stakes Winner for Turffontein

Mark Smith - Sunday January 5

The Scott Brunton-trained Mandela Effect had a long and fruitful campaign in Victoria last year, which began with a win at Bendigo in March and culminated with a defeat of Ranier at Flemington on Mackinnon Stakes day on November 19.

Back on home soil the 5yo son of Turffontein was still searching for his first stakes-win when he prepped for Saturday’s Listed Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Stakes at Launceston with a second place finish to Blaze Forth in the Listed Conquering Stakes on December 18.

With Craig Newitt in the saddle, Mandela Effect proved three-quarters of a length too good for his remarkable 9yo stablemate Hellova Street (Helike) who was making his 33rd start in a stakes race.

Craig Newitt was keen for Mandela Effect to try and stretch out to the 2100m Brighton Cup on January 18 but Brunton is not so sure.

"My initial feeling is that I'd like to see him run in the Thomas Lyons (1400m) and leave the staying till next year," Brunton told The Examiner.

An $18,000 purchase by his trainer out of the Motree Thoroughbreds draft at the 2016 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, Mandela Effect advances his record to 10 wins and 6 seconds from 21 starts with earnings of $427,939.

His maiden stakes win could hardly have been timelier for Motree Thoroughbreds who will offer a full-sister to Mandela Effect at the Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Advertisement

The Brunton family have purchased the first three foals of the winning West Quest mare Morell and all three are winners.

Mortell has a filly foal by Turffontein and was covered by Manhattan Rain last spring.

While it had been a prolific winning family, Mandela Effect broke a four-generation stakes drought.

He becomes the sixth stakes-winner for Blue Gun Farm’s Turffontein who had two winners from three runners on Saturday with the 7yo mare Atomic Lokade registering her fourth consecutive win at Gawler, which is good news for Miranda Park who will consign her full-sister to the Inglis Premier.

Turffontein will have a skinny representation at the early sales with just one at the Magic Millions, none at the Inglis Classic and three at the Inglis Premier.

Advertisment

Race Result - Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Stakes LR 1600m

Launceston Track: Good(4) Time: 1:37.68
1
Mandela Effect
- 5g Turffontein (AUS) x Morell (AUS) (West Quest (CAN))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: C Newitt 59
2
0.8
Hellova Street
- 9g Helike (USA) x Butter Street (AUS) (Secret Savings (USA))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: J Maskiell 59
3
0.9
Zatacla
- 6g Al Maher (AUS) x Tasmanian Tiger (AUS) (Hold That Tiger (USA))
Tnr: J K Blacker Rdr: B Muhcu 59
4
4.1
Speed Force
- 7g Tough Speed (USA) x Why For (AUS) (Xaar (GB))
Tnr: Bill Ryan Rdr: B Mc Coull 59
5
4.8
Manilenya
- 6m High Chaparral (IRE) x Jaja (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: Ms J Richards Rdr: A Darmanin 57
6
5.8
Count Da Vinci
- 9g Faltaat (USA) x Cool Talk (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: D Pires 59
7
6.6
Paion
- 5g Pierro (AUS) x Stella Grace (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G S White Rdr: D M Ganderton 59
8
7.3
Exoteric
- 7g Champs Elysees (GB) x Short Dance (USA) (Hennessy (USA))
Tnr: C N Goggin & Luella Meaburn Rdr: Sigrid Carr 59
More Reading...
Willydoit Chasing $1.5million Epsom Consolation
Saturday looms as a special day in the careers of Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, who are the part-owners and former trainers of two horses that will chase million-dollar prizes in Australia.
Derby Path Possible for Exciting Debut Winner
Simon and Katrina Alexander came close to winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) a few years ago with their stable star La Crique, and now it looks like they may have another Derby prospect on their hands.
Burning the Turf
There might have been 6000 kilometres between them but it was another successful weekend for the progeny of Turffontein, with Mandela Effect (pictured)winning at Caulfield and two-year-old Bold Thruster saluting Singapore.
Cult Hero Widgee Turf Closes in on a Million
Queensland-based owners Gordon and Marlene McIntosh continue to live the dream with their bargain basement purchase Widgee Turf as the crowd favourite is fast-closing in on a million dollars in earnings following his second stakes win in Saturday’s Listed March Stakes at Flemington.
Breeding to Win – 2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas
The Golden Rose is loud in the conversation these days - but the time honoured G1 Caulfield Guineas still speaks with authority to the notion of a “sire making” race for three year olds - because it is run at the true Classic distance.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 9
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
I Am Invincible Colt Tops Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale
A colt by champion Yarraman Park Stud stallion I Am Invincible topped today's Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale when selling for $550,000.
More First Season Sire First Foals
The Breednet foal gallery has been kept particularly busy of late so time to take a look at some of the recent arrivals by first season sires.
Gavelhouse Bargain Back to Best
Cambridge trainer Shaun Phelan took special satisfaction from an all-the-way win by Pacheco in the $60,000 Poverty Bay Turf Club Cup (2600m) at Taupo on Friday.
Melbourne Racing Club Chairman John Kanga Resigns
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) today confirmed that Chairman John Kanga has resigned from his position, effective immediately.