Bold Soul (NZ) Brilliant in Launceston Guineas

On the eve of the blockbuster Karaka Millions twilight race meeting and the Karaka 2024 National Yearling Sales, an exciting three-year-old sourced from the New Zealand Bloodstock sale ring made a bold black-type statement on the other side of the Tasman.

Friday night’s $125,000 Listed Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas (2100m) was the scene of a breathtaking last-to-first performance by Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish), who was bought for just $20,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. He has now had five starts for three wins and two placings, earning A$188,925 in stakes.

Bold Soul ventured to Tasmania from his home state of Victoria, where he had made a promising start to his career with two early victories including a last-start success at Flemington. He was sent out as a commanding $1.65 favourite on Friday, and in the end he lived up to that billing.

But there were plenty of nervous moments along the way. Bold Soul was hampered soon after leaving the starting gates, and he dropped out to the back of the field. He remained there for most of the journey around the Launceston track, and coming up to the home turn, rider Jake Noonan was vigorously urging him along and seemingly getting little response.

But after being brought to the outside at the top of the straight, Bold Soul changed gears and powered past his rivals like they were standing still. Despite carrying a 60-kilogram topweight, he swept to the front and went clear to win by a length and a quarter with plenty more up his sleeve.

Bold Soul is trained by Patrick Payne at Plumpton and is raced by Graham Cleary.

Notably, Bold Soul became the first stakes winner for Cambridge Stud’s emerging sire Embellish (NZ). Himself a graduate of the Karaka sale ring, where he was bought by David Ellis for $775,000 in 2016, the Group One-winning son of Savabeel has already sired 10 winners.

His oldest progeny are three-year-olds, and Embellish is also the sire of Group One placegetter Talisker (NZ) and the stakes-placed Luberon (NZ) and Paragon (NZ).

Embellish has one yearling available in Book 1 of Karaka 2024, along with another 16 in the Book 2 catalogue.

Karaka 2024 kicks off with the Book 1 session from January 28 to 30, followed by Book 2 from January 31 to February 2.