Who is the best value stallion standing in Victoria? You’d get some fairly subjective comments on that – depending on the stud you spoke to – but Larneuk Stud is prepared to put its two bob’s worth in and declare Wandjina.
Let’s consider the facts … in 2021/22 – his first full season at Larneuk – Wandjina was among the top 10 active Victorian stallions by winners AND the second biggest money getting son of Snitzel in the state.
Indeed, the ‘transformation’ since his tree change from the Hunter Valley in May 2021 has been nothing short of remarkable. Prior to arriving at Larneuk Wandjina’s four crops of racing age had produced 85 winners of $6.3 million, including the Group 2 winning 2YO Mamaragan.
However, in a tick over 15 months, Wandjina has sired 87 winners of $5.8 million with his runners including the Group winner and recent Group 2 runnerup, Wandabaa, along with stakes winners Tiger Roar and Express Pass, while Go Wandji has hearts racing in Queensland with 8 wins and 4 placings from 12 outings.
Significantly, Wandjina is getting plenty of attention in the sale ring too with his yearlings selling up to $150,000 last year and, notably, Wandabaa lit up the online sales earlier this month when sold to Yulong Stud for $800,000.
“Wandabaa probably would have gone for a million if she hadn’t finished a half length shy in the (Group 2) Expressway a few weeks back,” Larneuk Stud’s Neville Murdoch points out. “That’s the great thing about the Wandjinas … Wandabaa is from his first crop … she was unbeaten at 2 and is still running around at the top level at 6.
“We had a lot riding on Go Wandji on Saturday and it was a bit disappointing when he only grabbed second, but they have a huge opinion of that horse and they’re seriously talking Stradbroke next year.
“I really believe this season will make the stallion … he’s got plenty of momentum heading into spring, there’s a lot of 3YOs coming through and at just $6,600 (fee) he’s the most accessible of the top 10 Victorian sires.”
Speaking of momentum, Larneuk is chuffed at the recent success of 3-time winner, Wolflands, a clear banner horse for his Street Cry stallion Wolf Cry.
With 3 wins from 6 starts, including a third at Sandown earlier this month, Wolflands was a dominant winner on Saturday, while Group 2 placed 2YO, Wolves, has been racing in top company and finished second at Canterbury last time in.
“He (Wolf Cry) is a son of Street Cry from a great family and really hasn’t had much of a chance, but from a handful of runners he’s already had two stakes horses and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wolflands take the step up in coming months. Keep in mind he stands for only $3,300!,” Murdoch adds.
Also standing at Larneuk Stud at a fee of $3,300 is Fastnet Rock’s Group 2 winning stallion, Cluster.
“Cluster is strictly a breed to race prospect but a lot of owners have had a whole lot of fun with this horse,” Murdoch claims. “He gets 2YO stakes horses like Rocket Tiger (runnerup in the Group 2 Silver Slipper) and Gee Gees Darl, but a good number of them also run on … two of his winners this month (Righthere Rightnow and Centaur) are now both 6YOs and won half a dozen races apiece.”
Despite all that’s happening on track, Murdoch, though, is particularly excited at the arrival of first foals by Larneuk’s Lope de Vega stallion Endless Drama.
Multiple Group 1 placed before heading down under, Endless Drama was a 3-time Group 2 winning sprinter on both sides of the Tasman before heading to Victoria.
“He (Endless Drama) has only had a couple of foals on the ground so far and we’ll be unveiling the baby pics in the next few weeks, but what’s particularly exciting is just how well Lope de Vega is going at the moment,” Murdoch sums up. “He had a treble in Australia on Saturday and in the past week, three stakes winners! Watch this space.”
Endless Drama stands this season at $8,800 and for further information on the Larneuk Stud lineup, phone Neville Murdoch on 0418 105 706.
