NZB RTR Sale Graduate Scores Second G1 in Emirates Stakes

Group 1 winning New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduate Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj) scored his second Group 1 victory on Saturday, the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, in the A$1,000,000 Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Turn Me Loose (NZ) triumphant in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes

Turn Me Loose is the fourth NZB graduate to win a Group 1 race throughout the Melbourne Spring Carnival following fellow NZB Ready to Run Sale graduate Mongolian Khan’s (Holy Roman Emperor) glory in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock) winning the Group 1 Victoria Derby and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup won by Prince of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire).

The son of Iffraaj first won at Group 1 level exactly one year ago as a three-year-old, winning the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton Park. This year’s edition of the race was taken out with an impressive 8.5 length victory by Karaka graduate Xtravagant (NZ) (Pentire) – the same sire as Prince of Penzance.

Beginning his spring campaign in New Zealand, Turn Me Loose finished sixth in the Group 1 Hawke’s Bay Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings before making the trip across the Tasman where he was narrowly defeated by a short head in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington.

Remaining unbeaten over 1600m, the four-year-old entire has now won three consecutive stakes races, first winning the Listed Seymour Cup with an explosive three-and-a-quarter-length victory followed by a determined victory in the Group 2 Schweppes Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley for kiwi trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.

“We are really rapt to have won such a prestigious race,” commented Forsman. “Getting a win on the day is just so special. He’s a big horse that needs a bit of racing and he just peaked on the day.

“We haven’t decided on a plan for what is next for him except a spell and we will likely aim for Sydney in the autumn.”

Jumping from barrier 10 for jockey Kerrin McEvoy, Turn Me Loose quickly took his place leading the 15-horse field, a familiar position for the son of Iffraaj. Comfortably leading the field into the home straight, Turn Me Loose was hotly challenged in the final strides by Politeness (Street Sense) but the four-year-old kiwi was too strong, winning by a head over Politeness with Rock Sturdy (Fastnet Rock) in third.

“Kiwi horses get a good upbringing giving them the best opportunity to be able to standout abroad. It goes to show New Zealand can breed a good horse,” added Forsman.

Winning six of his 11 starts, five at stakes level, Turn Me Loose has won A$1,128,384 for owners Lindsay De Souza, Todd Hartley, Mr JR Lark, Mr D Painter, Mr PA Vawdrey, Mr SD Brown and Mr JW Robertson.

Co-owner Todd Hartley purchased Turn Me Loose at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs for $52,500 from Mana Park.

Bred by George and Maryanne Simon of Mana Park, the son of Iffraaj is out of Danehill mare Indomitable, a three-quarter-sister to six-time winner and stakes placed Martial Art (Tiger Hill). His second dam is Kwan (Sadler’s Wells) who is a blood-sister to Group 1 winner Fairy Heights (Fairy King).

Iffraaj, last season’s leading sire of three-year-olds in New Zealand, is also the sire of stakes winner Serena Miss (NZ) who finished third in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas on Saturday. The Haunui Stud sire has six two-year-olds catalogued in next week’s NZB Ready to Run Sale, the same sale Turn Me Loose was purchased from.

Karaka graduates had a fruitful day at Flemington on Saturday, winning four races on the nine-race card, including dual Group 1 winner Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel) triumphant in the A$300,000 Group 2 Presto Matriarch Stakes (2000m), Rhthym To Spare (NZ) (Pins) winning the A$100,000 Antler Luggage Handicap over 1600m and Divan (NZ) (Zabeel) winning the A$100,000 Starlight Children’s Foundation Plate (2000m).

New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale commences next week on 18 & 19 November at Karaka. Breeze Up clips are available now on the NZB website or a DVD copy is available by request. To request a Breeze Up DVD or a catalogue email reception@nzb.co.nz.