Blue Gum Farm’s first-season sire Turffontein has received some timely updates in advance of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

Group 1 winning sprinter Turffontein is the first son of Johannesburg at stud in Australia and the sireline is going gangbusters overseas.

Coolmore Stud’s Kentucky based stallion Scat Daddy is the spearhead in North America.  He was Champion USA first-season sire and has started the current year with stakes winners Allanah and Dice Flavor.

Scat Daddy filly Allanah was a Listed winner at Turfway Park earlier this month and she will back up in the LR Valdale Stakes (1600m) at the same venue this Saturday, March 2.

Scat Daddy colt Dice Flavor put his name in the mix for the Kentucky Derby with a four length victory in the G3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on February 16.  He completed a running double for Scat Daddy in Northern California’s most important race for three year-olds following 2012 winner Daddy Nose Best.

Dice Flavor earned 10 points as part of the new “Road to the Kentucky Derby” concept that comprises 36 races.  The Top 20 point-scorers will earn a spot at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Meanwhile, Johannesburg sire Teuflesberg has his 2012 G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Trinniberg back in work in Florida.  He covered 1000m in 61 seconds last Tuesday and connections are considering a first-up tilt at the G1 Golden Shaheen in Dubai on March 30.

Turffontein has 14 first-crop yearlings – 7 on account of Blue Gum Farm – for the Melbourne Premier that starts this Sunday, March 3.

Blue Gum’s Turffontein – Arcangela colt (Lot 232) is a younger half-brother to Choisir filly So Bella Arella who made $75,000 at the 2012 Melbourne Premier.  Trainer Leon Corstens prepares her for Roy Higgins and Wylie Dalziel Racing.

“She was one of my first picks at the Premier Sale last year,” Corstens declared.  “Roy really rated her and said ‘This one’s coming home’ and I agreed.”

So Bella Arella was placed in a Cranbourne trial behind top youngster Crack A Roadie in September before going out for a spell.  “The filly has a lovely temperament,” Corstens added.  “She looks like a Thousand Guineas type for the spring.”

– Karl Patterson

The Blue Gum draft for the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale can be viewed at:

http://www.bluegumfarm.com.au/sales-details/2013-inglis-melbourne%20premier