New Zealand Bloodstock Sales Provide Trifecta In Group 1 Smokefree Adelaide Cup

In what is proving a vintage season for New Zealand thoroughbreds in Australia, horses purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock sales again dominated at Group 1 level, this time providing the trifecta in yesterday's A$400,000 Group 1 SmokeFree Adelaide Cup - 3200m.

After a hard fought battle in the closing stretch, victory went to THE A TRAIN (NZ), a 5yo son of Blues Traveller (dec.) from Lady Acumen (by Sound Reason). The A Train is owned by Melbourne- based New Zealander, Hilton Mackley, who has long been a major thoroughbred industry investor.

The A Train is prepared by successful young Victorian trainer, Cliff Brown, who has fashioned a superb record of success in South Australia, including 3 wins in the South Australian Derby prior to taking the state's biggest race yesterday.

Having drawn right out in barrier 22, Brown and jockey Stephen Baster later commented that the plan was always to ride him forward and aggressively, taking advantage of his light weight to keep him handy in the running and to rely on his tough staying ability to get him home first. The plan certainly paid off.

The A Train was bred by an illustrious group of New Zealanders, including former champion trainer, Dave O'Sullivan; high profile business leader and avid thoroughbred investor, Hugh Fletcher; Chief Justice, Sian Elias; and Alan Galbraith QC.

He was purchased as a yearling from the draft of John Thompson's Rich Hill Stud, at New Zealand Bloodstock's 1998 Select Colts Sale by leading Melbourne bloodstock agent, Henry Plumptre. The price tag now seems incredibly good value buying at just NZ$32,000.

Beaten a head into second place in yesterday's Cup was the ultra consistent HOMEWRECKER (NZ). This aptly named 4yo son of Housebuster (USA) from Major Affair (by Tights) was bred by Mr & Mrs DH Clout and was purchased through the draft of the former Ra Ora - Haunui Farm Partnership at New Zealand Bloodstock's 1999 Premier Yearling Sale by Ray Lawson. He too proved great value for money, with a purchase price of NZ$65,000.

Third place in the Cup went to another graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales, SILVER BARON (by Defensive Play x Azarashi by Danzatore). He was purchased from the 2000 Select Colts Session of the sale for $27,500. Silver Baron was bred and sold by Tim Bodle's Whakanui Stud, and was purchased by well known Melbourne owner, Ron Cook.

According to trainer, Cliff Brown, The A Train now looks likely to be set for the world's richest 2 mile race, the Group 1 Melbourne Cup on November 5 at Flemington.

New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales have now provided a host of winners throughout the South Australia's major Cup Carnival, including the winners of the following:
Group 1 Smoke Free Adelaide Cup – The A Train
Group 1 Malaysia Airlines South Australian Derby - Pantani
Group 1 Schweppes Australasian Oaks – Tully Thunder

For further information contact New Zealand Bloodstock Ltd.