Press Statement's Spokesman Shows True Grit at Warwick Farm

Mark Smith - Monday April 13

The Chris Waller-trained Spokesman had the honour of being the first winner for Vinery Stud’s Press Statement when successful at Canterbury on January 31 and following a 10 week break and burdened with 59kgs the Star Thoroughbred colour-bearer ground out another meritorious win over 1300m at Warwick Farm on Monday.

With Nash Rawiller in the saddle, Spokesman never flinched in a slogging finish to wear down Godolphin’s Exceed And Excel filly Glaciers by a head with three-quarters of a length back to the No Nay Never (USA) filly  Cordyceps Miracle in third.Spokesman as a yearling

Third behind the high-priced Redoute’s Choice colt Prague when on debut at Canterbury on January 17, Spokesman advances his record to 2 wins and 1 third from 3 starts with earnings of $75,060.

The son of Press Statement was purchased by Star Thoroughbreds/ Randwick Bloodstock for $270,000 out of the Fairview Park Stud at last year’s Inglis Classic.

Bred by Mystery Downs, Spokesman is the seventh foal and sixth winner out of the 5-time Sydney winning Mujahid (USA) mare Calaluna whose dam It’s Not On (Tierce) is a half-sister to the Champion 2YO Filly in Australia in 2001-02, Victory Vein (Mr Henrysee) who is the dam of Group III winner Sookie (Casino Prince).

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A Your Song filly out of Calaluna was purchased for $100,000 by Bowman Racing out of the Fairview Park Stud draft at this year’s Inglis Classic.

Calaluna missed to Press Statement in 2018 before being covered by the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winning son of Hinchinbrook again last spring.

 
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Race Result - Easter Monday Hcp 1300m

Warwick Farm Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:19.87
1
Spokesman
- 2c Press Statement (AUS) x Calaluna (AUS) (Mujahid (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: N Rawiller 59
2
0.2
Glaciers
- 2f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Sastruga (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Rachel King 56
3
1.0
Cordyceps Miracle
- 2c No Nay Never (USA) x Zagalia (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: J R Collett 55.5
4
1.7
If You Say So
- 2c Wandjina (AUS) x Elldarragh (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K Buchanan Rdr: A Hyeronimus 55.5
5
2.7
Mandalong Beyond
- 2f Kermadec (NZ) x Shameless (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: M & D Kearney Rdr: J Innes Jnr 54
6
2.8
Major Murphy
- 2c Press Statement (AUS) x Night War (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: T Marquand 58
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