Kiwi Breeders to Cheer Banquo

Media Release - Thursday March 5

Stallion credentials go on the line for Kiwi-owned colt Banquo in Saturday's Group I Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.

The Written Tycoon colt goes into the sprint feature having won two of just eight starts but he will take his chance with a featherweight 51kg to carry against the likes of Exceedence, Bivouac, Loving Gaby, Gytrash and Zoutori.

Banquo will run in the G1 VRC Newmarket Handicap this Saturday - image Grant CourtneyRaced by a who's who of New Zealand bloodstock and racing personalities, Banquo was a $A600,000 Gold Coast yearling purchase who could secure his future at stud with Newmarket success.

"He's a lovely horse. He was a lovely yearling and he's gone on and developed nicely as he's got older," said Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick, who races the colt with his father Garry, Bruce Perry, Lib Petagna, Little Avondale Stud's Sam Williams, Jamieson Park's James Chapman, Dame Lowell Goddard and siblings John, Mark and Rachael Carter.

"Saturday is going to be interesting because we've had serious interest in him from Hong Kong. So does he carry on racing in Australia with a view to developing him as a stallion or do we trade him to Hong Kong?"

Banquo won his maiden over 1400m at Sale before securing his first stakes win in the Listed Springtime Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last November.

He then ran fourth in the Gr.2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) and had placed twice, most recently in the Gr.2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, as he was preparing for a possible tilt at this weekend's Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in Sydney.

However, Caulfield trainer Danny O'Brien suggested to connections that they change tack.

"He won a Listed race really well during the Melbourne Cup carnival and then he ran really well in the Sandown Guineas when he had no luck from a wide draw," Chittick said.

"We had been stepping him up to the mile again but we just questioned him at that distance and hence why we have freshened him and stepped back to 1200m. His full sister Booker won an Oakleigh Plate (Gr.1, 1100m) and we just wonder whether this might be his best distance.

"Danny reckons he couldn't have him any better and he thinks he's a sprinter. We're pretty confident he's got the ability. It is a big step up but it was Danny's suggestion and he's won the race before (with Shamexpress in 2013) and he said he compared pretty well. And he gets in with 51kg so it's a good time to try with such a light weight."

Chittick said the ownership group came together over "a couple of glasses of wine" with the idea of speculating on well-credentialled colts.

Advertisement

"We've traded some for profit. Some haven't measured up and have been traded for a loss. Ardrossan is one we raced that is already at stud."

If Banquo can't measure up in the Newmarket, Chittick is hoping Ocean Park four-year-old mare Tofane could be the giant killer.

"We'd love Ocean Park to add another Group One to his tally. He's going so well and we've got a terrific, long-term link to her breeder Gordon Cunningham. We've been friends a long time. When we first bought Waikato Stud he was working here and he stayed on and really helped us find our feet."

Chittick described the current buying environment for Group One-winning colts as "fierce".

"We were lucky enough to secure Super Seth after he won the Caulfield Guineas and we're very pleased he'll be standing at stud in New Zealand," Chittick said.

"It's very difficult for New Zealand to compete against the international money. In New Zealand, we are owner-operators of studfarms as our sole business. We're proud we've been able to get a stallion like Super Seth with the support we've had through relationships built through previous successful stallions here."

Super Seth was ruled out of Saturday's Randwick Guineas with a spiked temperature but Chittick said he was on the mend.

"I've been in touch with (trainer) Anthony Freedman and he said his temperature has stabilised and he's back on his feed. Our main priority is the horse's health."

Waikato Stud will seek further Australian Group success earlier on the Flemington programme with Pins mare My Pendant and Ocean Park mare Fabric both set to contest the Gr.3 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m). - NZ Racing Desk

Visit the profile page for Written Tycoon

Written Tycoon in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Same Race - New Name- $1 million THE MOVE TO STRIKE THOROUGHBRED CLUB STAKES
First run in 1968 and previously featured on Caulfield Cup Day, the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes enters an exciting new era in 2025.
Maher and Waller Strike at Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale
Champion Australian trainers Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher have been active during the first session of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, which was topped last year by Sir Delius (GB) at 1.3million guineas.
$10 million 2025 Golden Eagle Field and Barrier Draw
The favourites have all fared well after the field and barrier draw was declared for the $10million Golden Eagle at Randwick this Saturday.
First Stakes Win for The Autumn Sun Half-Brother
The Listed Chantilly Grand Prix du Nord (2000m) in France overnight provided a first stakes win for blueblood Dubawi colt Azimpour, the half-brother to Champion Australian 3YO Colt and now G1 sire The Autumn Sun.
Rewarding Weekend for Waikato Stud
A double strike at stakes level, a filly with a black-type future and a welcome family success handed Waikato Stud another rewarding weekend.
Day 1 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale 375,000 Guineas for August George
Smart two-year-old AUGUST GEORGE topped the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at Park Paddocks when selling for 375,000 guineas to Qatari trainer Gassim Ghazali, one of five lots to realise 200,000 guineas or more.
First Winner for King of Comedy
Novara Park Stud stallion King Of Comedy (IRE) is on the board as a sire, with his son Sir Ruby becoming his first winner when victorious over 1300m at Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia on Sunday.
Kiwi Breeding Partnership Strikes with She's a Hustler
John Thompson and Greg Tomlinson have combined for another major stakes success in Australia.
Melbourne Cup Dream Alive for Kiwi Stayers
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) dreams are still alive for connections of Kiwi stayers Mark Twain and Trav.
Sires With Winners - Monday October 27
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.