Sacred Falls Maintains Perfect Record

Despite giving connections an early fright, boom O’Reilly colt Sacred Falls has pulled up from last weekend’s stunning Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas win in fine fashion.

Dato Yap Kim San’s colt looked down and out after going down on his nose at the start, but quickly turned this predicament around, dashing home to win with ease.

“We were a bit apprehensive that he might have done some muscle damage after the start, but he seems to be in perfect order,” explained Raffles Farm manager Bruce Sherwin.

“He was back at Cambridge’s main track on Wednesday bouncing and kicking. All going to plan, his next upstart will be the Gr.3 James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes at Te Rapa, which gives him a nice two-week space between races”

With four unbeaten starts including the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas and Listed Westbury Stud Challenge, the WS bred and sold galloper has given rise to some exciting superlatives.

“I’ve never ridden a horse like him before. He’s the best I’ve ever ridden.” jockey Leith Innes said of the Raffles Dancers (NZ) Pty Ltd owned galloper, following the Hastings win.

Trainer Tony Pike, who co-prepares the colt with Mark Donoghue, echoed similar thoughts, rating him right up with the best he’s prepared.

Safely through his Gr.3 Te Rapa start on Oct 22, Sacred Falls will head south for the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 10. He is now down to a $2.60 quote in the market for the southern classic.

A $160,000 yearling at Karaka last year, Sacred Falls is the second foal of the winning Redoute’s Choice mare Iguazu’s Girl, who gave birth to a Savabeel filly this week (see below). Iguazu’s Girl is a half-sister to WS’s Gr 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes heroine and Gr.1 Ascot Vale Stakes runner-up Splashing Out.