BETTOR’S DELIGHT IN DEMAND AS 2016 YEARLING SALES KICK OFF

Leviathan stallion Bettor’s Delight was once again keenly sought after as the 2016 yearling’s sales commenced in Melbourne. The first of a number of sales, was well attended and the market was certainly on the up.   Outstanding yearling preparer Annie Dalton was at the top of her game preparing two sons of Bettor’s Delight, for Ross Gange and the results spoke for themselves. Lot 112 was sold for $140,000 and Lot 164 was sold for $106,000. Another colt consigned by Pinaroo Park by Bettor’s Delight sold for $91,000.   Great to see a number of American Ideal’s making their way through the sale ring in Australia. He had two quality colts both make $36,000.   Away from the sale ring the winners kept coming for Bettor’s Delight with Our Dream About Me remaining undefeated after 10 starts, following a 1.54.4 victory at Menangle, Bettor Draw paced 1.52.8 on the same cardand Alta Las Vegas won at Auckland. American Ideal’s daughter Start Dreaming put her hand up to be part of the Ladyship mile when she sat in the chair at Menangle in 1.51.7, Baby She Rocks won the $25,000 3yo fillies sales classic at Gloucester Park, Soho Tribeca was a 1.56.1 winner at Geelong and Perfectly Ideal won at Winton. For Pegasus Spur, his son Pegasus Dream scored career win number seven with victory at Waikouaiti. 

LAZARUS LOOK SHARP IN VICTORIAN DERBY HEAT

Outstanding 3yo pacer Lazarus, bought his ‘A’ game across the ditch to easily win his heat of the Victorian Derby at Ballarat. The son of champion stallion Bettor’s Delight will be nominal favourite for the blue riband classic to be held at Melton on Victoria Cup night. Lazarus sat in the chair to win his heat and did so in a 1.56.5 mile rate. This was win number 11 in a career of just 13 starts and he has bankrolled over $500,000 in stakes. Lazarus’s stablemate Have Faith In Me crossed the ditch also but was in Sydney to prepare for the Chariots of Fire, he too was an effortless winner in 1.52 and change against his older rivals, he was one of three winners sired by Bettor’s Delight on the same card, the others to greet the judge where Ivegottalife and Express Stride. American Ideal had a very good week on both sides of the Tasman, with a number of winners. American Spirit remains undefeated following a tough win at Wyndham, American Tart was a very impressive winner on debut at Marlborough in the hands of John Dunn, she scooted home in 56.4. In the Sunshine state he sired winners in American Legend at Albion Park and Margins at Redcliffe. Out west, the Woodlands Stud bred That’s Rite was an easy winner at Bunbury and American Angel scored at Albany and at Rotorua he sired a double when Wave Song and Hartofdixie both won on the grass. For resident trotting stallion Pegasus Spur, Fiftyshadesofbrown was a winner at Warrugal.  

WOODLANDS STALLIONS DOMINANT FEATURE AUSTRALIAN RACES

The key Australian racing features have been dominated by the Woodlands Stud stallion’s in recent weeks and that theme continued through this past week with stunning success. The $450,000 Western Australian Pacing Cup was won by American Ideal’s top son My Hard Copy who recorded back to back victories in this time honoured race. In an outstanding staying effort, he broke the track record for the 2936 metre feature and he has now bankrolled over $900,000 in stakes. Congratulations to the Hall team who have made a big habit of winning the race. On the same card American Ideal produced other very good winners in That’s Rite and Mohegan Sun was a winner of the $50,000 Nights of Thunder final. Other good winners for American Ideal included smart 3yo Soho Tribeca who paced 1.53.3 to win at Melton, Aztec Bromac was a Menangle winner and Overboard Again won at Invercargill. For world champion stallion Bettor’s Delight, his son Ohoka Punter crossed the ditch to win the $75,000 Group 2 Shepparton Cup. In the hands of Anthony Butt, he broke the track record in the provincial feature, returning a 1.57 mile rate for the 2690 metre race. Ohoka Punter has now earned over $700,000 in stakes. Great to see outstanding 3yo filly Our Dream About Me resume in style at Menangle. She remains undefeated in nine lifetime starts and despite traffic difficulties was simply too good for her rivals in the Group 3 Raith Memorial. Other winners to greet the judge by the leviathan stallion included Maverick at Addington, Alotbettor at Charlton, Yackandandah at Cranbourne and Kia Kaha won at Banks Peninsula.