NEWS (January 2010)

Eagle Farm Double For Clang
27 January, 2010: Consistent winner getting sire Clang produced another Metropolitan double at Eagle Farm today.

The double marked a special milestone for Gold Coast trainer Annie Moir who led in her first Metropolitan winner with Martha Say.

An eight year-old mare, Martha Say has now won four of her sixteen starts for Moir who prepares a small team.

Sent straight to the lead by Jason Holder, Martha Say dashed away in the straight to stave off her rivals to land the prize at the juicy price of $17.00.

Moir also bred Martha Say, who is out of the unraced Varick mare Velleia Girl.

The second leg of the double came with the Michael Lakey prepared Troubled broke his maiden in the third race on the card over 1500m.

Starting a warm $3.20 favourite, Troubled easily accounted for his rivals by a two length margin.

Troubled is out the unraced Straight Strike mare Little Sinner.

Clang will be represented by five yearlings at the upcoming QTIS 600 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on 21 & 22 March, 2010.

 

Clang Wins Craiglea Battle at Mackay
15 January, 2010: Craiglea Royale, a two year-old son of Clang, has triumphed in a unique opening event at Mackay today.

Seven of the eight runners in the race featured the 'Craiglea' moniker, representing Stan Johnston's Craiglea Stud.

The race received widespread media coverage, including a phantom call by racecaller Tony McMahon on this mornings Channel 7 Sunrise Program.

Ridden by Brisbane jockey Kelvin Wharton, Craiglea Royale recorded a soft win by 3 lengths over the 1050m journey ahead of Craiglea stablemates Craiglea Matilda and Craiglea Gal.

Willy Nic, the lone runner without the Craiglea title, finished last in the field of eight.

Craiglea Royale was having his second race start after winning an Eagle Farm trial in September by almost five lengths.

Craiglea Royale is a home bred grey gelding out of the Waterford Road mare Waterford Royale.

Clang is now the sire of 293 individual winners following Craiglea Royale's victory today.

The son of Bellotto enjoyed a bumper season in 2009 where he covered some 112 mares at Willowbend Stud.

Group 1 Gold For Morton's

13 January, 2010: The Morton family have long contributed greatly to racing in Queensland and their efforts were rewarded across the Tasman in the New Year with a Group 1 victory with Gold Trail.

Raced by Glenn and Lisa Morton, Gold Trail scored an all the way win in the prestigious Group 1 Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Years day.

Gold Trail spent his early days as a yearling at Willowbend Stud where he was broken in and pre-trained before commencing his racing career.

Rated well in front by ex Queensland jockey Michael Rodd, Gold Trail had previously recorded stakes wins in the Listed Canterbury Classic and the Group 2 Shorts.

A five year-old gelding by Hussonet, Gold Trail is out of the Danewin mare Trail of Gold, a four time winner who won at Listed level at Randwick in the James H B Carr Stakes (1400m).

Gold Trail was a $75,000 yearling purchase out of the 2006 Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.

The Morton family is headed by matriarch Billy Morton, who has had widespread success on both sides of the Tasman.

Among Billy Morton’s highlights as an owner have been Group 1 victories by Nom Du Jeu in the Group 1 AJC Derby and a Group 1 Brisbane Cup with Prized Gem.

In Queensland, the Morton colours have been carried to success on a regular basis by a host of smart gallopers, many of which had their start at Willowbend Stud.