Growl Takes G3 Hobart Cup

Karaka graduate Growl returned to his best yesterday when he ran away with the Group 3 Hobart Cup (2200m) in Tasmania.

A son of Montjeu, Growl (Montjeu x The Lion's Roar, by Western Symphony) made a huge impact in his first preparation in 2006 when winning six of his first ten starts and managing a career best second placing behind Desert War in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).

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An unsuccessful move to Hong Kong saw him fail to adapt to the right-handed Sha Tin course which resulted in his return to Australia. Immediately his form improved with his four length $400,000 Hobart Cup win capping off a string of placings.

Growl is trained by David Hayes for Mr BK Ma of Hong Kong who signed for Growl at the 2004 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale. His initial purchase price of $360,000 from Windsor Park Stud is dwarfed by his racetrack earnings of $800,000 from 32 career starts.

Growl's dam, The Lion's Roar, was good enough to win on six occasions, including the Group 2 ARC Championship Stakes, with her progeny also including dual stakes winning juvenile Leeu.

The Lion's Roar was represented by a colt by Darci Brahma at the Karaka 2010 National Yearling Sale Series at Lot 213 and he realised $400,000 to the bid of Hawkes Racing.

The Hawkes team were strong right through the week of selling at Karaka with 11 yearlings totalling $2,157,000 ($196,000 average) in receipts destined for the leading training partnership.