La Dorada’s half-brother wins on debut for Yulong
Could Group 1 lightning strike twice? At Geelong on Thursday, 4 December, it was Golden Pulse (Tivaci ex Gold Fever) who made an immediate impression on debut, scoring a decisive two-length win over 1147m in the bottle-green and white colours of Yulong.
Jumping cleanly from barrier three in a tactical four-horse affair, jockey Beau Mertens presented the colt into clear running and asked him to lengthen inside the final 50m. The two-year-old responded with authority, stretching out to win comfortably.
Prepared by Te Akau’s Mark Walker, Golden Pulse hails from a family the stable knows well – his Group 1-winning half-sister La Dorada (Super Seth ex Gold Fever) is also in their care, having captured the 2025 Karaka Million 2YO along with the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
Bred by Waikato Stud and offered from their draft at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, he was secured by Yulong for A$160,000. He is the fifth foal of the Savabeel mare Gold Fever, who has an Ardrossan yearling filly and welcomed a Super Seth filly this season.
The Corner with Garry Chittick
Well, I got a bit behind last week, with Friday slipping by without realising it; hence no Corner. I have said on too many occasions that negative messages are of no help to anyone, and yet there seems so often a reason to be concerned. Clearly, this week the well-constructed Guerin Report on the threatened downgrade of our Group 1 races demands our attention.
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Vale Ohope Wins, Ocean Park’s tough, kind and courageous daughter
Long before her Oaks double, Ohope Wins’ greatest victory belonged to the Waikato Stud staff and Matamata Veterinary Services vets who saved her as a desperately sick foal. Taken far too soon at Caulfield, her remarkable story is theirs too.
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