Rockin’ Ruga kicked off a winning run for FBAA members between the Gold Coast Magic Millions and Karaka yearling sales.
The Fastnet Rock 3yo broke his maiden second time out for Dean Watt Bloodstock in the Casino Prince Hcp (1400m) at Warwick Farm a day after the Magic Millions Summer Racehorse Sale.
“He had always shown ability and beat Pinot in a trial early on but he had temperament issues and was gelded,” co-trainer Gai Waterhouse said. “Then he developed a cantankerous habit at the barriers so we schooled him for six weeks and added blinkers and a barrier blanket. That did the trick.”
A $125,000 buy out of the Amarina Farm draft at the 2016 Inglis Easter yearling sale, he is from Sevruga (Encosta de Lago), a half-sister to Langoustine (G2 Maribyrnong Plate) and One World (G3 VRC Breeders’ Stakes).
Danzie, another son of Fastnet Rock, completed an FBAA double at Warwick Farm in the ATC Membership Hcp (1400m). Offered at the 2015 Inglis Easter yearling sale, he cost Boomer Bloodstock and loyal client Roger Davis $725,000 from Trelawney Stud.
Described as a “lovely, progressive type” by trainer Bjorn Baker, Danzie is a half-brother to Serious Satire (G3 Gold Trail Stakes). Trelawney has catalogued his Exceed And Excel half-brother as Lot 445 at the 2018 Inglis Easter yearling sale.
Boomer’s Craig Rounsefell was in the frame again with Maybe Even You at Doomben on Australia Day. A Jet Spur half-brother to Steel Zip, he was a $60,000 buy from Daandine Stud on behalf of Mike & Patty Crooks at the 2014 Magic Millions March yearling sale.
John Chalmers Bloodstock weighed in with NZ-bred mare Silver Roller in Perth. She made a quick progression through to the Morley Growers Market Hcp (2200m) at Ascot just a week after winning a 2000m maiden at Bunbury.
Silver Roller was offered by Perth-based breeder Neven Botica who stands her sire Dalghar (Fr) at Brighthill Farm in New Zealand. Chalmers bought the grey for $50,000 at the 2015 Perth Magic Millions on behalf of part-owners Rick Hart and Damien Hampson.
She is related to stakes winning stayers Classic Babe (G3 Canterbury Gold Cup) and Passchendaele (G3 Waikato Cup) and will get every chance with Perth’s leading long-distance trainer Alan Mathews.
“She’s starting to put it together – it wasn’t so long ago we were thinking of sending her down to Albany,” Hart said. “The further she goes the better.”
Rookie trainer Nick Ryan can gain a foothold in Melbourne’s training ranks with horses like last-start Flemington winner Mahamedeis. “I’m pretty pumped,” he said. “To win my first city race at headquarters is pretty special and hopefully this one can keep going.”
The Magnus colt was purchased for $24,000 at the 2016 Inglis VOBIS Gold yearling sale by JJ Gordon Bloodstock and his victory in the Patrobas Hcp (2000m) was worth $101,000.
Mahamedeis was bred by Christie Woodard and sold through Supreme Thoroughbreds at Oaklands. His dam Elusive Magic (Elusive Quality) is a half-sister to Casual Pass (G1 Mackinnon Stakes).
Foxwedge filly Splitter bounced back from an unlucky run in the $250,000 Magic Millions Maiden Plate to win the following week at the Gold Coast.
Splitter never saw daylight in the opening event on carnival day but she followed up with a hollow victory for connections after being backed into an odds-on favourite.
Bluegrass Bloodstock agent Lenny Russo bought her for $41,000 on behalf of Dream Thoroughbreds at the 2016 Magic Millions National yearling sale. Her dam Miffy (Flying Spur) is a sister to G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Sleek Chassis.
Russo and Dream Thoroughbreds manager Dave Azzopardi paid $115,000 for a Dundeel – Vocalise (Redoute’s Choice) colt at this year’s Magic Millions.
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1988 to maintain, improve and develop the standards, status and services of bloodstock agents throughout Australia. Its members operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism and are bound by the strict Industry Code of Conduct.
The list of FBAA members can be viewed at: www.bloodstockagents.com.au
ROCKIN’ RUGA