NZB Trifecta in Singapore Stewards Cup
22 December 2008
Revolte produced an outstanding turn of foot to score the Listed Singapore TC Stewards' Cup (1400m) on Sunday, providing another success story for Singapore buyers at NZB's Ready to Run Sale.
Positioned beautifully by Barend Vorster one back on the fence, Revolte (French Deputy - Grilse, by Rahy) settled quickly behind the pace set up by South Star. Coming into the home straight Revolte was angled wide by Vorster before a gap appeared one off the fence, an opening the jockey coaxed the chestnut gelding to push through. At 250m from home Revolte had quickened to the lead pinching a break on the fast finishing pair of Karaka graduates, second placed Powerful Ruler (Viking Ruler - Capsimation, by Kaapstad) and third placed Classic Express (Istidaad - Akahzi, by Defensive Play).
Revolte, trained by Michael Clements, won by a length in the finish, relishing the step up to 1400m.
Clements is aiming the $140,000 Karaka Ready to Run Sale graduate at the Group 3 $200,000 Singapore Guineas over 1600m on February 27.
"I think that should be an ideal race for him," said Clements. "The mile trip will be ideal and he's improving all the time."
Singapore owner Jayven See purchased the gelding from Esker Lodge at last year's Ready to Run Sale. Just a three-year-old, Revolte has won three races in Singapore from seven starts, and has never finished further back than third.
Shelley Murtagh of Esker Lodge was delighted with the win. "He was an absolute favourite for Tom and I in that draft. We went up to Singapore in July and he won while we were there which was extra special".
The Murtaghs also sold Michael Clements Fairy Tale (Shinko King - Winter's Tale, by Icelandic), a $40,000 purchase at the 2003 Ready to Run Sale, and Clements' last winner of the Stewards' Cup in 2004.
Esker Lodge sources yearlings throughout Australasia each year to target the NZB Ready to Run Sale. "Our strategy is to sell at the top end of the market. This entails sourcing yearlings by commercial sires that we believe suit the market place come November," confirmed Shelley.
Revolte was one of two horses to go through the ring unreserved a second time at the end of the 2007 Ready To Run Sale after not reaching his reserve the first time. The other horse was Kildonan (Invincible Spirit), winner of the Listed ARC Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m).
Hong Kong
Staying in South East Asia, New Zealand-bred and Karaka sold O'Reilly Rally (O'Reilly - Rivertaine, by Centaine) won the feature 1400m Class 2 Amber Handicap on the Sha Tin (Hong Kong) card on Saturday night.
Parked by Matthew Chadwick outside the leader Pot of Luck (Xaar) without cover, the son of O'Reilly held out all challengers for the length of the Sha Tin straight, deservedly winning by a short head over Express Win (Catbird). Trained by Tony Cruz, O'Reilly Rally took his record to five wins and five placings from fifteen starts and HK$3,293,000 in prize money.
Little Avondale Stud will offer a half sister to O'Reilly Rally (O'Reilly) at the 2009 Karaka Premier Sale on 26 January, at Lot 199.
The yearling filly by Pins is also a full sister to multiple winner Yee Ha and a half sister to outstanding Hong Kong performer Regency Horse (Stravinsky), a winner of eight races including a third placing in the HK-1 HKJC Chairman's Sprint Prize. The filly is also a full sister in blood to Legs, winner of the Group 1 Kelt Capital Stakes and the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.
Sam Williams of Little Avondale Stud says the filly is a reluctant sale. "She has my number 1 brand on her shoulder and I never sell the filly with that number. However due to the recent recession we entered her at the last minute, and she is a real good sort that will attract plenty of interest. "
"She is a filly with real scope and will make into a lovely classic type later on."
Little Avondale will also offer a black Savabeel (Zabeel) filly out of Chatto Creek (Desert Prince), a daughter of Rivertaine, at Lot 1065.