A stallion flying under the radar - a stallion who deserves more attention that he is receiving, that is Larneuk Stud's Wolf Cry who, despite his limited opportunities, is proving that he can well and truly get a good one.
Such as the exciting Wolflands who at Moonee Valley on Friday night showed not only speed and talent, but determination as he dug deep to win his fourth race from just seven starts - and his third from his last four outings.
A step up in class proved no hindrance for the lightly raced and promising four-year-old who, from the outside gate, looked to have quite the task ahead of him. But, after working early and sitting outside the leader, he just kept digging!
"It was a great win," trainer Julien Welsh enthused. "He is a really exciting horse and I've really, really got high hopes for him."
"When he gets a sniff of a fight he really digs deep as he showed tonight," he added.
"He didn't have the best of runs," jockey Carleen Hefel reported, "and he showed how tough he is. He has got good ability and I think he is just going to keep improving with racing."
Defeating some smart types including the Gr.3 winning runner-up Sartorial Splendor, Wolflands won in the style of a horse with plenty more to offer - which has Larneuk Stud's Neville Murdoch excited.
"We have always had a lot of faith in Wolf Cry," he said, "he really does deserve to get more support - from the few mares he has served each year has been siring outstanding types and his record is really starting to read well."
From just 14 runners, Wolf Cry has been represented by six winners with Wolves and General Wolffe both earning black-type. Another three of his sons and daughters have figured in the placings and with his oldest only just turning four there is more to come for the regally bred member of the prolific Eau d'Etoile family.
Wolflands was bred by his very proud and understandably very excited part-owners Nik Crumpton and Joanne Stevens and what a story it is that they have to tell!
Involved in rescuing knackery bound horses, Nic had been bringing home a few to herself though after a run of chestnuts Joanne commented that she'd love a darker horse - "something prettier!" she laughed.
One day, in a pen at Echuca, Nic spied Crosslands, a New Zealand bred daughter of O'Reilly who, despite a leg issue, just had a look about her.
"People would look at her and comment on how nice she was, but then they'd see her leg and they'd be turned off."
But Nic looked beyond at the quality of the mare underneath the injury and took a punt.
"She was in the dogger's pen and so it cost just $310 to bring her home!"
Doing their research, Nic and Joanne discovered that Crosslands - who had once been about to change hands for around $300,000 - actually had her fair share of ability.
Quite a bit in fact - at her Hastings debut showing plenty of natural pace, going straight to the lead and getting further in front with each stride in the run home, saluting by a soft 4 1/2 lengths in smart time. So impressive was she on that occasion that she started odds-on at her next outing - run down only late but injured as she fell after the line.
Never quite the same, though she managed three placings in Victoria, Crosslands did not have much luck during her first couple of years at stud but fortunately for her she ended up in Nic and Joanne's loving hands!
"We wanted to make the most of the speed in her pedigree," Joanne said, "and we thought that much of that was coming from her dam sire Centaine who she greatly resembles. So we had a look around and found Centaine in Wolf Cry."
As it happens, Wolf Cry is doing well picking up on his Century genes and from day one Wolflands looked that little bit special.
"Neville always told us that he was a cracker and everyone who has ever seen him has commented on what a lovely type he is."
Excited to be sending Crosslands - plus another mare (one who provides for a cross of Century) Miss Monhro - to Wolf Cry this season, Wolflands' breeders have plenty to look forward to! In the meantime they are enjoying their prized boy's career, already knocking back several offers from Hong Kong and locally.
To make the most of your mare's qualities, be sure to give Wolf Cry - son of the star stallion Street Cry - serious thought! For further details on contact Neville Murdoch on 0418 105 706 or visit www.larneuk.com and www.facebook.com/pages/Larneuk-Stud/455896497806590
