One to Watch – Cranbourne

Tara Madgwick - Saturday Mar 30

The Group I ATC Australian Oaks will come too quick for this talented High Chaparral (IRE) filly, but she may find something else to suit at the back end of the season.

Vanuatu as a yearling

Vanuatu as a yearling

Scoring her second win from just four starts at Cranbourne on Friday night was the Grahame Begg trained filly Vanuatu, who surged to the line to win by the best part of a length beating the older horses as a short priced favourite.

Previously trained by Darren Weir, Vanuatu runs for Pinecliff Racing and was a $340,00 Inglis Easter purchase from the Lustre Lodge draft for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock. She is a sister-in-blood to brilliant Group II winner Omei Sword, who was also second in a Group I ATC Golden Rose.

Vanuatu is the second winner from Tropicana Lady, an unraced full sister to Group I MRC Thousand Guineas winner Irish Lights.

Lustre Lodge sold the current yearling from Tropicana Lady, a colt by So You Think, at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $75,000 to Matthew Dunn / Neil Jenkinson.

Tropicana Lady has a weanling filly by So You Think and is in foal to Rubick.

Advertisment

More Reading...

Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 10

Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

High Chaparral's Mississippi Delta From Last to First in Perth Cup

The late, great Coolmore stallion High Chaparral (IRE) may have celebrated more prestigious wins in his glittering career but Saturday was a real financial windfall for the son of Sadler’s Wells.

Haras d'Etreham Set Fee for Hotazhell

Triple Group I winner Hotazhell will begin his stallion career at Haras d'Etreham in France at a fee of €15,000 next year before then shuttling to Widden Stud in Australia.

Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale

The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.

Stampede Runs Then Into The Ground in Colin Stephen

Stampede has been out of the winner’s circle since October last year but when the son of High Chaparral (IRE) is gifted an easy run in front, as he did in Saturday’s Group III Colin Stephen Stakes (2400m) at Randwick, he proves very difficult to get by.

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.

Toronado Winner Sign of Things to Come

So You Think and Dundeel have set a high standard for sire sons of the late Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral (IRE) with Swettenham Stud’s Toronado (IRE) also showing the promise of good things to come after making a strong start to the new season with his fifth winner since August 1 at Sale on Thursday.

Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx

From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.

Big Payday for High Chaparral's A Man To Match

No black-type but a Group 1 prize for the connections of the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding A Man To Match who not only pocketed the $145,000 winners cheque as the inaugural winner of the $250,000 The Tab Wave (1800m) at the Gold Coast but had it topped off with another $200,000 for being a Magic Millions graduate.

Darley Announce 2027 European Fees -Night of Thunder Soars to €450,000

It will be Dubawi central at Darley in 2027 with the legendary 24YO sire priced at £350,000, but the roster is topped by his champion son Night of Thunder at €450,000 and there are three more G1 winning sons or grand-sons of Dubawi also added to a power packed roster.