O’Brien Strikes Again

19 December 2010

Top Melbourne trainer Danny O’Brien has enjoyed an outstanding run of success with WS progeny and Pins On Ice continued that trend for him at Flemington on Saturday. The son of Pins struck over 1400 metres in the hands of apprentice Ben Melham for the third victory of her 13-start career.

By Pins, she was purchased by O’Brien for $190,000 during the Premier Sale at Karaka in 2008. Pins On Ice is a out of the O’Reilly mare Ice Maiden and is a half-sister to the recent Pukekohe winner Icepin who

was competitive against the best of his age group last season with an apt victory in the Gr 3 Waikato Stud 2YO Classic, a runner-up finish in the Karaka Million and a brave fifth in the Gr 1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie. He has also placed this term in the Gr 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas and the Listed Canterbury Stakes.

Wolfy reacts well to change

A tactical change by trainer Nicky Ryan saw Tivaci’s son, Wolfy, triumph at Flemington on Saturday. Dropping back to 1200 metres with blinkers applied, the Waikato Stud-bred four-year-old stormed to victory under Ethan Brown, showcasing a powerful finish to secure his third career win.

18 January 2025

Frustrating runs ends in style

Slipper Island returned to winning ways at Trentham with a powerful finish over 1200 metres, ending a 17-month drought despite consistent form with seven placings. Trainer Tony Pike praised the stable favourite, describing him as “frustrating but talented.” A son of No Nay Never, he was purchased for $180,000 at Karaka.