NZB Trifecta in Myer Handicap
8 June 2010
Karaka Select Sale graduate Pennacchio lead home a NZB trifecta in the Listed BRC Myer Spear Chief Handicap (1500m), kicking off a top day for Matamata-based trainer Andrew Scott at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Roger James-trained raider La Etoile (Thorn Park x Desert Wine by Deputy Governor) finished second, while the trail-blazing Rockdale (Danroad x Komplete Kaos by Desert Sun) overcame a wide draw for third.
Bred by Highview Stud, Pennacchio (ex Abenezra by Rory's Jester) is by the Stud's resident Group 1 STC Sires' Produce winner and Group 1 Golden Slipper runner-up Align (Night Shift).
Purchased by Robbie Hewetson Bloodstock for $52,500, the five-year-old mare now shoots for her second stakes win, and first at the elusive Group 1 level, in the Winter Stakes (1400m) on 26 June. A victory would take her race-record to eight wins and three placings from 16 starts.
James purchased La Etoile at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale for $70,000 from Chequers Stud.
Shooting for his third stakes win in as many years for John Morrisey at the Winter Carnival, Rockdale won the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1600m) as a juvenile and the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2020m) last year. Morrisey secured the son of fellow Highview sire Danroad from the NZB Ready to Run Sale for $135,000 from Phoenix Park.
Later in the day Scott notched up his first Group 1 win on his own account with Miss Keepsake (Keeper) winning the Group 1 Queensland Oaks. In just his second season at the helm of the O'Sullivan family's Wexford Stables, Scott currently sits in tenth position on the NZ Trainers' Premiership with 38 winners to date and more importantly a strike rate of 6.55.
This Saturday will see the biggest day of Group 1 action over the Queensland Winter Carnival with the Stradbroke, TJ Smith and Queensland Derby all set to run at Eagle Farm. Last year New Zealand Bloodstock graduates Linky Dink (Keeper) and Court Ruler (Viking Ruler) claimed the TJ Smith and Queensland Derby.