The Scenic Lodge draft to this week’s Perth Magic Millions is the second biggest of any vendor and general manager Jeremy Smith reports there’s been more inspections than ever at the Swan Valley sale-grounds.
“It’s been busy and with the right people,” Smith said outside Barns H and I where 30 yearlings have been parading since Saturday. “It’s pretty positive and we’re happy how they’ve prepped and come up as a group.
“It helps when trainers know they’re paid up for Westspeed Platinum. It’s huge and all bar two of our lots are eligible.”
The Scenic consignment comprises yearlings by 13 different stallions led by resident sire Universal Ruler (11 lots). A Stakes-winning son of Scenic (Sadler’s Wells), he emerged from two sub-30 books early on at stud and now rules the roster as a Top 10 sire in Western Australia.
His 4yo mare The Velvet Queen surfaced this summer for a career-best campaign winning 4 races in 6 starts including the $100,000 Ascot Mile on February 5. One of those defeats was a neck loss to Alsephina (Star Turn) in the G3 La Trice Classic (1800m) on New Year’s Day.
“She has the best turn of foot of any horse I’ve ever trained,” Impressive Racing’s Darren McAuliffe declared. “We’ve been patient and she’s getting better as she matures. It’s exciting to have her in the stable.”
The Velvet Queen has been touted for Ascot’s 2023 Pinnacles carnival and, more specifically, the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) worth $1.5 million on November 25.
Universal Ruler’s first yearling from Scenic Lodge on Day 1 is the colt from Dance On Air (Lot 76).
He’s a half-brother to LR Pinjarra Classic winner Clairvoyance (Nostradamus) and is being sold (as agent) for Teagan Hollister. “He’s an outstanding type with a great page and it’s a lovely story,” Smith said. “Teagan works for us and the mare was a gift after she missed for a few seasons.”
The Universal Ruler - Elegant Blast colt (Lot 84) is a close relation of Australian Horse of the Year Scenic Blast and G1 Railway Stakes winner Gilded Venom. He’s strong and correct and made quite an impression during the TBWA Yearling Showcase on Sunday.
Snippetson passed away last month after 8 books at Scenic Lodge and his first enter the sale-sing is the filly from Zany Lady (Lot 41). “She’s a machine,” Smith claimed. “She’s powerful, good-sized and not unlike her full-sister Spin The Knife.”
Scenic Lodge also sells colts by Magnus (Lot 137) and Shooting to Win (Lot 167). “Magnus has a very good record in Perth and our colt is big and strong from the ‘Celebrity’ family that has done so well for Peters Investments.”
The Shooting to Win colt is an athletic type from another black-type family developed by Bob Peters. He’s a half-brother to Mystic Prince (G2 WATC Derby) and Real Charm (LR Jungle Dawn & Starstruck Classics).
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