Stockman (NZ) Strikes Again in Sky High

Powerful stayer Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock) collected the third black-type win of his career with a typically tough performance in Saturday’s A$350,000 Group Three Furphy Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, but his trainer Joe Pride believes the best could still be to come.

Bought for $175,000 by Proven Thoroughbreds and John Thompson Racing from Cambridge Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2018, Stockman has now had 28 starts for seven wins, nine placings and A$689,390 in stakes – almost four times his purchase price.

Previously the winner of the Listed McKell Cup (2000m) and Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), Stockman added another staying feature to his collection with a determined performance in Sydney on Saturday.

Ridden patiently by Sam Clipperton through the early part of the race, Stockman got out into clear air in the straight and worked through his gears, running down Mount Popa (Maxios) to score by half a length.

“He was beaten by four lengths by the best weight-for-age horses in the land last start in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m),” Clipperton said. “So, on paper, he was a great chance dropping back in weight, over a trip that he loves and on a track that he has great stats on.

“I was able to ride him in a nice comfort zone. He took a bit of riding in the straight, but everything worked out and he probably won with a little bit in hand.

“I’ve always had a lot of time for this horse. He’s a gentleman to ride, and he’s racking up a great record for his connections.”

Pride believes that record could get even better in the weeks and months ahead, with a couple of Group One targets looming on the horizon.

“He is clearly an absolute gun wet-tracker, and at this time of year he is going to get plenty of those,” Pride said. “It’s the right time of year to have him up. He had seven weeks between runs and needed that last start, but today he was spot on and was able to win for a great group of owners.

“It’s great to have a horse like him going well at this time of the year, because we still haven’t seen the best of him and he can stay. We have looked after him from day one, bought him as a yearling and nurtured him, and we are seeing the rewards now that he’s a five-year-old.

“He could be here in two weeks for the Tancred Stakes (Group One, 2400m), because I don’t think we will back him up next week in the Queen’s Cup (Group Three, 2400m) as he will get too much weight. There is also the Chairman’s (Group Two, 2600m) to think about, so he will have one, maybe two runs into the Sydney Cup (Group One, 3200m). He is a very tough horse.”

Stockman was the final leg of an Australian Group Three treble on Saturday for former Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock (NZ), who also had daughters Ruthless Dame (NZ) and Flying Mascot (NZ) record Flemington triumphs in the TBV Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Penfolds Matron Stakes (1600m) respectively.

Vendor	Cambridge Stud
Purchaser	Proven Thoroughbreds/John Thompson Racing (New South Wales)
Breeding	Tavistock – Crimson
Sale	Lot 129, Karaka 2018 Book 1, $175,000
Bred by	Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan