Opening Address (NZ) a Breakout Star at Flemington

Trainer Liam Howley and jockey James McDonald believe there are much bigger and better things in store for Karaka graduate Opening Address (NZ) (So You Think), who claimed his first black-type win in the A$175,000 Listed TAB Trophy (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.

Opening Address was bred by Ben Kwok and was a $160,000 purchase from Windsor Park Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2023. The promising gelding has now had five starts for two wins and two placings, earning A$198,900 in stakes.

Despite finishing a highly creditable second in the Group Two Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last start, Howley resisted the temptation of asking Opening Address for too much too soon and tackling the Group One Victoria Derby (2500m). He saw Tuesday’s TAB Trophy as a more suitable step in a long-term rise towards the elite level, and Opening Address made a statement with his emphatic win.

Jockey James McDonald settled in second and just behind the leader before pouncing at the top of the home straight. Opening Address briefly looked vulnerable as challengers began to warm up wider out on the track, but the favourite found another gear in the final 200 metres and held them all out by three-quarters of a length.

“This horse is still learning his craft,” McDonald said. “He's probably a bit better than that. He's only scratching the surface. He just felt like he had plenty in the tank, and he was never going to get beaten from the 400 metres onwards. Even though they probably looked like they would come at him, he was holding them at bay.

“He's just got raw ability, and what he's doing now is just a bonus, because as a four-year-old, he'll come into his own.”

Howley was delighted with the performance of his budding stable star.

“Just a really proud day, to be honest,” Howley said. “Proud of the team at home. They’ve done a super job.

“I thought his run in the Vase was enormous. He seemed to get forgotten out of that race, because we didn't go to the Derby, but he freshened up really well.

“Just walking in today was pretty exciting, especially having J-Mac on. For my family and all the friends who have supported the journey, it's just exciting. The amount of messages this morning was unbelievable, so to get a win like that with a nice horse is pretty special.

“He’ll head straight to the paddock now. He's done. Five runs in, and we avoided the Derby – we wanted to look after him, and he's returned the favour, so off to the paddock and back for a big autumn hopefully.”

This was the second year in a row that a Karaka graduate has won the TAB Trophy on Melbourne Cup Day. Last year’s race was won by Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree), who was a $165,000 purchase from the Ready to Run Sale and later romped to a 10-length win in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m).

Vendor	Windsor Park Stud
Purchaser	Liam Howley Racing/Andrew Williams Bloodstock/Bevan Smith Bloodstock (Victoria)
Breeding	So You Think – Royal Welcome
Sale	Lot 472, Karaka 2023 Book 1, $160,000
Bred by	C W Kwok