Saltcoats strikes stakes Gold at Wyong
Saltcoats added another line of black type to his record on Friday, 5 September stamping his class with victory in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m).
The talented son of Ardrossan had signalled his intent in Sydney with a dominant 2.23-length win in the Precise Air Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick, followed by a strong fourth in the Gr.3 The Agency Real Estate Premier’s Cup (2000m). Stepping out as the solid favourite at Wyong, he didn’t let supporters down.
Trained by Chris Waller and partnered today by James McDonald, Saltcoats has now earned close to A$600,000 in prizemoney with five wins from 18 starts, including two stakes victories. “He’s a tough and consistent Kiwi stayer who keeps delivering,” said Mathew Becker of Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA).
Already a stakes winner in New Zealand in the Listed Futurity Stakes (1400m), Saltcoats was purchased privately by a high-profile ownership group including Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill, and now races in Kheir’s recognisable silks.
Bred by Lib Petagne’s JML Bloodstock and never offered at public auction, Saltcoats continues to underline the promise of his sire. Ardrossan has 80 current two-year-olds and 126 yearlings coming through from two very good books of mares. He stands this season at $20,000 plus GST.
Pure Alpha delivers again as Ardrossan continues to rise
Ardrossan gelding Pure Alpha led throughout to win by 1.29 lengths at Eagle Farm for owner Ozzie Kheir, taking his earnings past $300,000. The result caps a stellar run for sire Ardrossan, whose yearlings fetched up to $450,000 this year on strong Hong Kong form.
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It is difficult to maintain momentum when sitting in judgment of racing’s governance. After all, I get no pleasure in searching for non-credible decisions, but one is perpetually bewildered by the rationale behind many of the positions that make little sense.
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