More Gems for Statue of Liberty

Eliza Park International stallion Statue Of Liberty has two more black-type prospects on the boil while Hong Kong buyers vie for his exciting sprinter Liberty’s Gem.

Perth trainer Simon Miller is hoping Liberty’s Gem stays put after wins in the LR Placid Ark Stakes and G3 Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic.  “The owners have already knocked back a couple of offers,” Miller explained.  “Now the agents are saying name your price!

“He’s won 3 times in 4 starts and is still a work in progress.  I think he’s good enough to go interstate for the autumn.”

Liberty’s Gem (3g Statue Of Liberty – All That Sparkles by Rubiton) was an $80,000 buy at the 2013 Inglis Classic yearling sale.  He’s from a half-sister to Golden Pedigree (LR Queen of Adelaide Stakes) and the dam of The Verminator (G1 Metropolitan).

Tasmanian filly Viva La Verve is another three year-old building up for better races this season.  She made it 3 wins from 5 starts in the Juicy Isle Hcp (1200m) in Launceston last time out.

“I am very pleased with the win although I didn’t expect her to be ridden that close to the front,” trainer Adam Trinder said.  “I’m waiting to test her beyond 1600 metres.”

Viva La Verve (3f Statue Of Liberty – Flamburr by Savoire Vivre) comes from a successful Tasmanian family going back to 1986 Gold Sovereign Stakes winner Amber Cutter.  Trinder will set her for the Thousand Guineas (1600m) on January 21, Strutt Stakes (2100m) on February 9 and Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) on February 22.

Trainer Mick Price unveiled promising debut winner Grand Avalanche to complete a Statue Of Liberty hat-trick at Kyneton last Thursday.

Grand Avalanche (4g Statue Of Liberty – Tiamo Baby by Strategic) won the Goldfields Refrigeration Maiden (1469m) on debut despite tramping three-wide without cover.  He had every right to raise a white flag in the straight but responded to win with something in hand.

Part-owner and breeder Craig McDonald also raced his older half-sister Isabella Snowflake to 4 wins in 6 starts including a Listed victory at Flemington.  Sadly, she suffered a career-ending tendon injury in last year’s G1 The Galaxy at Rosehill.

McDonald sent their dam Tiamo Baby back to Eliza Park International and her 3yo gelding Snowtrooper (Magnus) was placed first-up at Bendigo in June.  The mare has a 2yo filly by Bel Esprit and a yearling colt by Wanted.

Statue Of Liberty commences the 2015 majors with 4 colts catalogued for the Gold Coast Magic Millions in January.  He has 4 fillies entered for the Inglis Sydney Classic in February and another 7 yearlings parading at the Inglis Melbourne Premier in March.

Vivre Le VerveVIVA LA VERVE