NZB Weekend Winners

This weekend saw an onslaught of top quality group races from Ellerslie and Sydney. Included amongst the great racing were a number of notable performances from New Zealand Bloodstock graduates.

In the Group 1 WFA Darley Stakes at Ellerslie NZB graduates Xcellent (Pentire x Excelo) and St Reims (Zabeel x L'Quiz) took the quinella in the prestigious 2000m event. True to form St Reims took an early lead in the race and looked well placed to score another Group 1 event after stringing the field out around the big sweeping bend at Ellerslie. St Reims was a million dollar purchase by NZ bloodstock agent Rob McAnulty from New Zealand Bloodstock's 2001 Premier Sale.

Entering the straight, jockey Michael Coleman made his move from the back of the field on Mercedes Derby winner, Xcellent. The three-year-old gelding kicked up a gear and was a comfortable winner by 1 � lengths. Trainers Mike & Paul Moroney now plan to line up the dual Group 1 winning gelding in the AJC Derby later in March. Xcellent was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock from the 2003 Premier Sale for $45,000 from Wellfield Thoroughbreds.

The Group 1 Ford Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes provided two placings for NZB graduates and one of the great races of this season. Mi Jubilee (Howbaddouwantit x Mi Steel) continued her impeccable form to win the race after jumping well and settling behind race leader Kindacross for several hundred metres. After a slow start Darci Brahma (Danehill x Grand Echezeaux) found racing room at the 300 metre mark and was running on well at the line in second place. Darci Brahma was purchased at the 2004 Premier Yearling Sale by David Ellis from the Pencarrow Stud draft for $1.1million.

Wahid (Almutawakel x Rory's Helen) had a nice run with cover but was unable to deliver the devastating sprint that was seen in the New Zealand Bloodstock $500,000 Classique. The gelding was purchased by Allan Sharrock at the Select Sale for $50,000 and sold by Trelawney Stud.

Across the Tasman at Rosehill Vouvray (Zabeel x Real Success) ran second in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes behind the Gai Waterhouse-trained superstar, Grand Armee. The four-year-old mare was sold as a yearling at the 2002 Premier Sale by Trelawney Stud for $300,000.

In Hong Kong, New Zealand Bloodstock graduates took the trifecta in the Class 5 Tsuen Wan Handicap. Cosmo Star (Gold Brose x Edina) won the event by half a length to Mr Genki (Pompeii Court x Brauner Miss). Cosmo Star was sold by Westbury Stud at the 2000 Premier Sale for $180,000. Mr Genki was sold at the 2002 Select Festival Sale by Poplar Lodge for $21,000.

Racing into third was Paul O'Sullivan trained and Shane Dye ridden, Dynamic Combo (Tale Of The Cat x Cremisi). The horse was purchased by Mr Man Ka Leung for $100,000 from Windsor Park Stud's draft at the 2002 Premier Yearling Sale.