NEWS (April 2009)

7/04/09

LUCAS SECURES THREE FINE FILLIES

Willowbend studmaster, David Lucas spent plently of time at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale recently as he poured over the catalogue to secure three exceptionally bred fillies for a client.

"I was approached by a good friend of mine from Bahrain who was looking to purchase a couple of fillies that would be suitable as broodmare prospects in the future," said Lucas.

"I really enjoy inspecting yearlings and with the market being down there has never been a better time to buy.  The fillies I bought have exceptional pedigrees and I couldn't be happier with them."

The first purchase made by Lucas, trading under Lucas Bloodstock, was Lot 166, a bay filly by Starcraft out of the mighty race mare, Private Steer (Danehill Dancer x Lisheenowen) for $450,000.

As a racehorse, Private Steer was a tough as nails competitor who won 12 races throughout her career, including three Group One's, two Group Two's, two Group Three's and three Listed Races. She won Queensland's prestigious Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m)  and Australia's toughest mile, the Group One Doncaster Handicap (1600m).  She was crowned Champion Filly/Mare of 2004 and is a half sister to All Silent.

"This filly really caught my eye and she is a good bodied filly and a great walker," said Lucas.

"She doesn't look to be an early two year old but will suit the classic distances as a three year old and will be sent to Chris Waller."

Lot 210 was the second purchase for Lucas Bloodstock, an Encosta De Lago filly out of Sarasota (Danehill x Piccadilly Circus).

"This filly is from one of the best female families in the country at the moment," said Lucas.  

"She is out of the Danehill mare, Sarasota who is a full sister to crack sprinter and current sire Fastnet Rock.  She is a very athletic yearling and a lovely walker that comes from a renowned two year old, sprinting family.  She will be sent to Peter Moody and aimed at our great two year old races."

The final purchase made by Lucas was Lot 295, an Encosta De Lago filly out of Danehill mare Twyla for $400,000.

"I purely bought this filly on pedigree," said Lucas

"The mare is bred in the purple, being a three quarter sister to champion stallion Redoute's Choice and exceptional racehorse Al Maher and a half sister to Hurricane Sky and Umatilla.  She had this fillies full sister go through the ring last year and was sold for $2.2 million so I feel we got great value for money.

"Overall, these three fillies have exceptional pedigrees that will mean when their racing days are over they will be held in high stead in any breeding program around the world."

Lucas has several clients that he will be purchasing for at the up coming Magic Millions broodmare sale and if anyone is interested in securing his services please call him on 0438 114 134.

18/4/09

BLACK PIRANHA  NARROWLY MISSES IN AUSTRALIA'S TOUGHEST MILE

Willowbend's resident stallion, Clang, narrowly missed adding another of Australia's most famous races to his trophy cabinet when 5yo son, Black Piranha (Clang x Jazztrack) went within three quarters of a length of taking home the coverted Group One Doncaster Handicap (1600m).

It was a tremendous run from the black gelding, who settled at the rear of the capacity field of 20 and made a sweeping run from the home turn, surging to the finish line to be beaten by the Joe Pride trained Vision And Power.

The result was bittersweet for connections, narrowly missing a Group One win not once, but twice, having the same scenario played out only a fortnight earlier when he was defeated by Vision And Power again by a long head in the Group One George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

Having already tasted Group One success with Golden Slipper winner Calaway Gal and AJC Derby and Epsom Handicap winner Clangalang, Clang is one of only four stallions that can boast of achieving this feat.  It is a remarkable record for a Queensland based stallion with a service fee of $5,500.

Black Piranha has now amassed $778,050 in prizemoney from 33 starts making him the third biggest money earner for Clang.

 
10/03/09

GEORGE JETS INTO WINTER CARNIVAL CONTENTION

Rock Of Cashel's pin-up boy, Meet George showed he could be a force to be rekoned with come Winter Racing Carnival with an impressive victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday in the Hardy Brother Jewellers QTIS 3yo Handicap (1300m). 

Ridden for luck from a bad barrier, the John Wallace trained gelding came from near the tail to swoop the field and win convincingly by one and a quarter lengths.  His victory gave Wallace something to think about over the next few months and the Winter Racing Carnival approaches.

“He might keep stepping up a bit and he might win a decent three-year-old race in the winter if everything goes right,” said Wallace. “We’ll just let him poke along and show us.”

Meet George has now won $137,700, including $48,700 in QTIS bonuses from just 11 starts.  He is the highest earning runner for Willowbend's Rock Of Cashel, who is now sitting in 13th place for second season sires from limited runners.

Meet George coasts to victory at Eagle Farm (courtesy Trackside