One To Watch - Kembla Grange

Mark Smith - Thursday Feb 23

Darby Racing’s New Zealand import Goldman made a statement on Thursday at his Australian debut for the Waterhouse/Bott stable at Kembla Grange.

Last seen when winning over 1600m on a heavy track at Pukekohe Park, the former Tony Pike-trained gelding made short work of twelve opponents in the Paul Russell Memorial (Bm64) (2000m).

Given a positive ride by Regan Bayliss under topweight of 61.5kgs, Goldman hit the front at the 300 metres, increasing his margin to five and a quarter lengths on the line.

The winner of two of his four starts in New Zealand, Goldman comes from the first crop of 18 foals by the Zabeel stallion Verdi.

Advertisement

Goldman became the first winner for Verdi when successful on debut at Cambridge last May (image Long Acres Stud)

The winner of three of his eight starts, Verdi is a half-brother to 6-time Group 1 winner Sir Slick (Volksraad) and the Group 1 ARC New Zealand Derby and Group 1 WRC Thorndon Mile winner Puccini (Encosta de Lago).

Goldman is by a stallion most people have never heard of!

Goldman is the fifth and final foal of his dam Goldsmith (Montjeu), a half-sister to stakes-winner Gator (Quest For Fame), from a family descending from celebrated Woodlands Stud matron, Tod Lass (Todman) dam of Group 1 VATC Blue Diamond and Group 1 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Street Café (Lunchtime) and great0granddam of AJC All-Aged Stakes winner Paratroopers (Commands). 

Advertisment

Race Result - Paul Russell Memorial (Bm64) 2000m

Kembla Grange Track: Soft(6) Time: 2:04.48
1
Goldman
- 4g Verdi (NZ) x Goldsmith (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 61.5
2
5.3
Endorphins
- 5m Sebring (AUS) x Kidnapper (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 59
3
5.6
Roseirro
- 8g Pierro (AUS) x Rosnaree (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: T J Robinson Rdr: Rachel King 55.5
4
5.8
Lord Desanimaux
- 7g Dalakhani (IRE) x Jewelled Gate (AUS) (Hurricane Sky (AUS))
Tnr: T J Robinson Rdr: Amy Mc Lucas 55
5
6.0
Whetu
- 5g Dundeel (NZ) x Tonality (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: R D Collett Rdr: A B Collett 57
6
6.1
Spinpix
- 7m Pierro (AUS) x Born To Rock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Ms D Poidevin-Laine Rdr: J Penza 55
7
7.1
Jamberoo
- 3g Thunder Fire (AUS) x Dylana (AUS) (Dylan Thomas (IRE))
Tnr: Ms D Poidevin-Laine Rdr: S Clipperton 56
8
8.1
Ausbred Bluebird
- 4m Teofilo (IRE) x Fromelles (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: B Prebble 58
9
9.1
Thailand
- 5g Adelaide (IRE) x Aziani (AUS) (Fasliyev (USA))
Tnr: R L Pearse Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
10
9.2
Sulwaan
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x El Daana (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Benjamin Smith Rdr: Brock Ryan 55.5
11
11.5
Midori Burly
- 3g Smart Missile (AUS) x Red Beret (USA) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: B Rawiller 58.5
12
11.7
Enduring Night
- 6m Stratum (AUS) x Midnight Gold (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Ms J Taylor 55
13
19.2
Writing Unexpected
- 7g Choistar (AUS) x Canley Cares (AUS) (E Dubai (USA))
Tnr: J A Steinmetz Rdr: Tom Sherry 55
More Reading...
Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.
Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!
Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.
Kiwi Bred Goldman earns golden Melbourne Cup ticket
Untapped former New Zealand galloper Goldman has earned himself a start in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) with a dominant all-the-way win at Flemington.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2026 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Verdi's Gritty Goldman wins Pakenham Cup
One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Goldman has bounced back to winning form for the first time in more than 18-months when leading throughout to score in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on Saturday.
Remembering Northerly – The Greatest Caulfield Cup Winner This Century
It's Caulfield Cup week, and what better moment to revisit the life and times of one of the greatest - if not the greatest - Caulfield Cup winner of the modern era.
Frankel Heads Juddmonte Euro Roster at £350,000
Fresh from siring outstanding young stayer Point of Law (GB) to win the $10m Group I VRC Melbourne Cup, champion sire Frankel will again top the roster at Banstead Manor Stud for Juddmonte.
Darby Racing Daring to Dream with Kiwi Import Goldman
Australian syndicator Darby Racing are daring to dream of Group glory with their recent New Zealand import Goldman.
Goldman helps boost profile of his sire Verdi
Joe Smithies is hoping the rise to prominence of leading Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hope Goldman can be a boost for his young South Island-based sire Verdi.
2027 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1881 entries for the 2027 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?