Rivals chase WS debutant in vain

4 August 2015

Bullrush posted a commanding debut victory in the WS colours at Goulburn this afternoon. Team Hawkes made a rare visit to a country track to launch the four-year-old’s career and it proved a perfect move.

The Garry Chittick-bred and raced son of O’Reilly, who had been unbeaten in two lead-up trials, had no trouble justifying his red-hot favouritism under rider Jay Ford. He sat with the leader to the turn and then left his rivals in his wake when asked for an effort.

“He is an exciting horse in the making,” said co-trainer Michael Hawkes after the win.

“Today’s win is not a surprise. We’ve had a good opinion of him since coming over from New Zealand. He’s still green and learning, but he has a lot of upside and ability. The big thing about today was giving him a trip away.

“He’ll go out for a spell now. The key to him will be patience.”

Bullrush is a half-brother to the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes winner Sports Illustrated (Fast N Famous). Their dam Pin Up a half-sister to the WS-bred international Group One winner and sire Starcraft.

Maison Louis adds fourth Group 1 winner for Seth in Queensland Derby

Super Seth’s outstanding season continued with Maison Louis’ Gr.1 Queensland Derby win, taking the Waikato Stud sire’s Group 1 winners-to-runners strike rate to 4.9% when adding a fourth Group 1 winner to the young sire’s CV.

7 June 2025

Taken in command with treble at Flemington

Ardrossan’s promising son Taken extended his winning streak to three with a dominant all-the-way performance in the Darren Galley Mile (1600m) at Flemington. Bred by the Dewar Partnership, the progressive three-year-old showed class and determination, continuing to underline the impact Ardrossan is making with his early runners.