News - RELIABLE MAN (GB)
Emerging staying star Nest Egg tightened his hold on favouritism for next weekend’s Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) with a perfect dress rehearsal on the opening day of the carnival at Riccarton on Saturday.
Grey gelding Chattahoochee has been a stable favourite for trainer Debbie Sweeney for some time and he is quickly taking the mantle as the stable star as well.
As the breeder of Alligator Blood and Vienna Princess, Gerry Havey had a day out on Saturday, so it was fitting he would end Everest Day at Randwick with his Westbury Stud bred, Reliable Man mare, Renaissance Woman in the Group III James Squire Angst Stakes (1600m).
The $240,000 Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) on Friday produced a first Black Type win for blueblood stayer Benaud, a half-brother to not one but two Group I winners.
There was no more impressive winner anywhere in Australia today than Benaud, as he should be as a G1 placed earner of over $580,000, who had frustratingly forgotten how to win!
Group One performer Benaud will look to build on his stakes-level performances in Saturday’s Listed W J Mckell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Leading Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping to get one up over his old mates from Cambridge.
Every breeder or buyer’s aim is usually focused on finding the next Group 1 winner.
It was a big day at the Sunshine Coast for Westbury Stud's Reliable Man (GB) with Renaissance Woman storming into Queensland Oaks favouritism and Essonne claiming her first Black Type win.
Back with the tailenders on the home turn, the 3yo Reliable Man (GB) filly Renaissance Woman stormed home to claim Saturday’s Aquis Stallions Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) at the Sunshine Coast.
John O’Shea is hopeful Benaud can return to winning form when he lines-up in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday.
Reappearing for the first time since disappointing in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm last June, the 5yo Reliable Man (GB) mare Annavisto made a one-act affair of the Group III Tony Bourke Memorial (1400m) at Flemington.
The full brother to Group I VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound made a winning debut at Colac on Friday for her trainer Danny O’Brien.
Western Australian trainer Ben Pearce has enjoyed his first visit to the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka and on Wednesday went to $75,000 to secure a Reliable Man filly from the Book 2 draft of Westbury Stud.
Enigmatic galloper Hail Damage brought the pain to her six rivals when she out-toughed them all in a rugged staying display to run out the winner of the feature race at Hastings on Saturday.
Four-year-old mare Lekvarte (NZ) looks to have a bright future after coming from the rear of the field to claim the Yes Yes Yes First Yearlings Handicap (1400m) at Randwick, scoring comfortably in the hands of Chad Schofield.
The lure of a Group One race in his adopted hometown has been enough to convince Bjorn Baker to back-up Renaissance Woman in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Kiwi-breds have again been making their presence felt in Australia over the past week with some exciting three year-olds stepping up for stakes wins on their way to Group I goals later in the spring and their sires are represented at the NZB Ready to Run Sale on November 16 and 17.
The Bjorn Baker stable has been in hot form of late and they struck again in the Group III MRC Ethereal Stakes (2000m at Caulfield won by promising young Kiwi bred staying filly Renaissance Woman, who was coming out of the Group I ATC Flight Stakes.
Many owners dream of having a horse compete in a Gr.1 Caufield Cup (2400m) and on Saturday that dream will be a reality for owners Grant and Patty Thurlow.