Solid opening day at Sydney

10 April 2013

WS made a strong impression on the opening day of the Sydney Easter Sale with a Pins colt secured by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $A360,000. The youngster is out of the winning O’Reilly mare Lucida and is a half-brother to the multiple winner and Gr.1 VRC Oaks placegetter Placement (Savabeel) with their grand-dam the former leading three-year-old filly, Starcent.

The Matamata farm’s other lot on day one was the O’Reilly filly out of a half-sister to the Gr 1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Good Faith, who made $A120,000. From the family of No Excuse Needed’s champion three-year-old Daffodil (Gr 1 NZ 1000 Guineas, Gr 1 Australian Oaks, Gr 1 Windsor Park Plate), she was purchased by respected Queensland bloodstock agent John Foote.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is difficult to maintain momentum when sitting in judgment of racing’s governance. After all, I get no pleasure in searching for non-credible decisions, but one is perpetually bewildered by the rationale behind many of the positions that make little sense.

26 August 2026

Shailer pair building nicely into spring campaigns

WS-breds Justin Case and Magice contributed to a memorable season for Kris Shailer in his return to the training ranks last term, and he is hoping they can continue their form into the new season.