O’Reilly colt shines in Group One
The late O’Reilly earned posthumous Group One honours today when his son Grunt reigned supreme in the Australian Guineas at Flemington. He stamped himself as a colt of the highest quality with his fourth consecutive win to remain undefeated this preparation.
“He got into a good spot and he still had to tough it out, he’s a beautiful, big Flemington horse,” trainer Mick Price said. “The only race I would go forward to is the Rosehill Guineas, but I am mindful that he is going to make a really good four-year-old.
“I wouldn’t worry if I put him out, he still hasn’t furnished yet. I think this horse has got 2000m in him, he might have 2400m or two miles even. He is a really good colt.”
A $220,000 Karaka purchase by astute Bloodstock agent Cameron Cooke and trainer Mick Price, Grunt is from the family of Waikato Stud’s exciting young sire Ocean Park and was ridden by Damien Oliver. “We had a lovely run and when I pulled him out and asked for an effort he fought them off,” he said. “He’s a magnificent specimen and deserved a Group One.”
G3 TAB Mile trifecta for Waikato sires
Recording his first Group victory, and second at black-type level after success in the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes some 12 months back, Ocean Park gelding Mystic Park led home an impressive one-two-three result for the Waikato stallions, defeating Sir Albert (Savabeel) and Cannon Hill (Ardrossan) in Wednesday’s Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton Park.
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The Corner with Garry Chittick
Sometimes you wonder, other times you realise what’s the point. We have two new Board members to help guide Thoroughbred Racing to a brighter, more enlightened future. Now, I don’t know either, and I am sure they have been confirmed for the right reasons – I think my concern is where is it our leaders believe they are taking us.
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