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.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It would appear I now have to continue my weekly Corner with the amount of rumblings at the start of our new racing season. I have been around long enough to know we can never please all; my tenure as Chairman of the Racing Board was subjected to as much vitriol as subsequent Boards have had to bear, so what’s different this time, or is it different.

5 August 2026

First foal for Waikato’s Group 1 winner Skew Wiff

Group 1-winning Savabeel mare Skew Wiff (ex Starvoia), known affectionately as ‘Wiffy’, foaled a filly by Super Seth in the early hours of Wednesday, 5 August.