Viennetta Latest Stakes Winner for Boom Sire, Pins

Racing at Ellerslie on Saturday saw the running of the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1400m) for fillies and mares.

A race won last year by classy mare Calveen, this year's event saw another potential star unveiled, when the Peter and Nikki Hurdle trained four-year-old, Viennetta (NZ) (Pins x Bali Sugar) proved too good for her opposition.

Prominent throughout, Viennetta scored by 3 lengths over Kew (NZ) (Casual Lies x Spurs), with last year's New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas winner, Clean Sweep (NZ) (End Sweep x Eidercrown) finishing third. Clean Sweep was a $20,000 purchase at the 2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, and a half brother by Volksraad will be offered by Windsor Park Stud at next year's Premier Sale.

Viennetta is a daughter of the very speedy mare, Bali Sugar (by Christmas Tree), runner up in the 1993 Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders Stakes (1200m). Bali Sugar has already left the Group 3 winner, Butterscotch.

Viennetta becomes the sixth individual stakes winner for young sire Pins, who has been represented by 18 individual stakes performers, including Group One winners, El Segundo and Econsul.

Pins is well represented at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales which commence on January 30, with 42 yearlings catalogued across the three sales sessions by the Waikato Stud based sire.

Meanwhile, grand campaigner, Sedecrem (NZ) (Faltaat x Real Trier) returned to the winner's circle when successful in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) run at weight for age.

Like Viennetta, Sedecrem was partnered by Champion Jockey, Grant Cooksley, who weighed in first on 4 occasions on the Ellerslie program.

Sedecrem swooped late to deny the ultra consistent Kristov (NZ) (Slavic x Santa Barbra) victory, while talented four-year-old, Magnetism (NZ) (Marju x Calceolaria) was a close third.

A $22,000 purchase by Bloodstock Agent, John Foote, from the 2000 New Zealand Bloodstock Festival Yearling Sale, Sedecrem is a triple Group One winner. Runner up Kristov was offered at the 2001 Festival Yearling Sale through the draft of Chandon Stud.

At Wanganui on Saturday, promising mare, Lilakyn (NZ) (Danehill x Popsy) took out the Listed Cambridge Thoroughbred Sales Wanganui Cup (2400m).

Trained by Guy Lowry for prominent owner, Sam Kelt, Lilakyn prevailed by a length and a half from Peron (NZ) (Corrupt x Santa Annesse), with Prince Of Toffs (NZ) (Prince Ferdinand x Moll O'Toff) in third.

Lilakyn is a daughter of 1993 New Zealand Derby winner, Popsy (by Sir Tristram). A half brother to Lilakyn by Stravinsky will be offered through the draft of Trelawney Stud at the 2006 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.

Hong Kong

Danacourt Blitz Heads Quartet of NZ Bred winners in Hong Kong

New Zealand bred gallopers accounted for four winners on the Sha Tin card, with exciting galloper, Danacourt (NZ) (Danasinga x Frizzle) taking out the feature event, the Class 1 The Chevalier Cup (1400m).

Trained by John Size and ridden by top hoop, Douglas Whyte, Danacourt dominated his rivals in the Class 1 event, scoring a commanding three length victory over Joyful Winner (El Moxie x Northern Tycoon).

Both horses formerly raced in New Zealand where they were both prepared by Chris and Colleen Wood.

Danacourt commenced his career in spectacular fashion, blitzing his rivals by nearly ten lengths in a maiden at Te Aroha, before downing talented galloper, Clifton Prince in the Waikato Guineas Trial at his second start before being sold to Hong Kong.

The son of Danasinga has certainly gone on with the job, winning three of his four starts to date in his new racing environment.

Size and Whyte combined successfully in the previous event when Gold Striker (NZ) (Faltaat x Lady Centaine) downed a strong Class 3 field over 1400m. Gold Striker fetched $45,000 to the bid of Colin Jillings at the 2003 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Colts Yearling Sale.

Earlier on the card, All Chances (NZ) (Pins x Gaysutina) was successful in a Class 4 over 1600m, leading home fellow New Zealand Bloodstock graduates, Fortune Warrior (NZ) (Bahhare x Shivers) and King Of Field (Danehill x Dosthill).

All Chances was one of 5 winners for trainer John Size, who combined with rider Douglas Whyte on 4 occasions. The son of Pins was an $80,000 purchase by Gary Hennessy at the 2003 Premier Yearling Sale.

Fortune Warrior was a $33,000 purchase at the 2002 Select Colts Yearling Sale and a half brother by Arkadian Hero will be offered at the forthcoming Festival Yearling Sale.

Third placegetter, King of Field, was sold through the Curraghmore Stud draft at the 2002 Premier Yearling Sale, fetching $360,000.

The Francis Lui trained, Gold Master (NZ) (Master Class x Golden Wings) recorded his first Hong Kong victory when successful in a Class 5 over 1600m

Singapore

Kiwis Dominate Kranji Stakes

New Zealand horses continued their good success rate in Singapore, filling the first three placings in the feature event of the weekend, the S$100,000 Kranji Stakes over 1600m.

The Jerry Sung bred Strong Man (NZ) (Kaapstad x First Look) was a narrow winner over fellow New Zealand breds, Player's (NZ) (Haayil x Our Catarina) and Bintang Rezeki (NZ) (O'Reilly x Revive the Phoenix). Both second and third placed horses were sold at the 2001 Festival Select Sale with the Bruce Marsh trained, Player's being purchased by Stuart Hale from Hallmark Stud for $35,000. Bintang Rezeki was sold by Lyndhurst Farm for $25,000 to Kibbelwhite Lodge and was bred by Brent Doyle of Cambridge.

The win was Strong Man's fourth win from ten career starts in Singapore where he has only finished out of the money once.