March 2009 - Breeding & Futurity News
No Bells & Whistles Needed
THE phrase “bells and whistles” normally refers to non-essential features or enhancements intended to add commercial appeal.
The two-year-old equine who goes by the same name certainly doesn’t need any additions – he already has a huge amount going for him.
At the time of writing, Bells And Whistles was unbeaten in three runs and had just claimed top honours in the $20,000 Christian Cullen Premiere Stakes (a listed classic) at Moonee Valley on BIG6 Hunter Cup Night.
He put the writing on the wall on debut at Geelong in early January, when he worked hard early but ran away from a couple of our better performed new season juveniles, winning comfortably in a 1:58.8 mile rate.
Bells And Whistles ventured to Moonee Valley for his next outing where he came up against a second row barrier draw over the mile.
Regular reinsman John Caldow was content to sit the rising star at the tail of the field before working home four and five wide on the final turn.
He effortlessly rounded up his rivals and again won convincingly, bettering his debut time by clocking 1:58.5 for the 1609-metre journey.
Then it was on to the Premiere Stakes, an event which pulled together a strong field including boom two-year-old Renaissance Man and Kamwood Jack, an impressive winner of The Lombo at his previous outing.
Drawing the middle of the front line, Bells And Whistles was caught wide early but worked forward to eventually find the lead.
A soft quarter followed, before the cavalry started to charge, led by Renaissance Man who made a barnstorming run out four and five wide down the back on the final occasion.
The leaders consequently ran through the third quarter in a blistering 28.4 seconds.
The favoured duo drew clear of their rivals to fight out the finish, but it was Bells And Whistles who prevailed over the final 50-metres after a stirring duel.
A protest hearing added further to what was an intriguing contest before the all clear was sounded.
The winner’s time of 1:56.1 was the fastest ever recorded by a two-year-old in Victoria.
Bells And Whistles was bred by owner Marcel Galea, who also raced the star youngster’s mother, Our Lisa.
She won only once in 12 starts, but did finish second in the 1992 Group One Edgar Tatlow Stakes.
Our Lisa is a half sister to five winners including smart customers Buffalo Bill and Warrior Son.
She is also a half sister to the dam of Breeders Crown champion Ladyinred.
Interestingly, most of the above mentioned horses including Bells And Whistles descend from the Direct Scooter sire line.
At stud, Our Lisa has produced eight foals.
Seven have raced and three have won - Our Cecilia (by Torado Hanover), Our Georgina (by Stoneridge Scooter) and now Bells And Whistles.
The sire of the dam of Bells And Whistles, Its Levity, boasts 59 broodmare siring credits from only 85 starters.
They include two $100,000 earners, a Group One winner in WA (Miss Placed) and a Breeders Crown finalist (Long Shot Lou).
Bells And Whistles earned just over $20,000 in stakes in his first three starts.
Being Vicbred, he has also secured $2250 in Vicbred Breeder Bonuses and a $2750 Vicbred Win Bonus.
Swinger Leads Grand Circuit
IN THE past 14 years, only two Vicbred pacers have become Barastoc Grand Circuit champion - Golden Reign in 1995 and Flashing Red in 2007.
With two Grand Circuit races remaining this season, Vicbred Mister Swinger leads the best of the best contest.
A second Vicbred pacer in Melpark Major is four points in arrears and presently lying in fourth place.
Mister Swinger has contested four Grand Circuit events this season, earning points in all bar one.
He was awarded one point for finishing third in the $375,000 SEW Eurodrive Victoria Cup.
He followed up with victories in the $100,000 Sky Channel SA Cup and the $125,000 Petstock Ballarat Cup, securing five points for each triumph.
His most recent Grand Circuit assignment was the $400,000 BIG6 Hunter Cup where he ran a great race to finish fifth.
Mister Swinger has a one point lead over defending Grand Circuit Champion Blacks A Fake.
The injured Divisive is a further two points behind in third position.
The 2008/09 Grand Circuit culminates with the $600,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup on March 6 and the $1 million Watpac Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Final on March 28.
Premium Sale Prospers
AUSTRALIAN Pacing Gold has defied the economic climate to set a new benchmark for standardbred yearling sales in Australia.
The inaugural APG Premium Gold sale broke all Australian records, including the highest-priced youngster ever sold in this nation.
That honour now lies with an outstanding Art Major colt out of the former APG heat winner and multiple black-type producer Ravaged.
He sold to Emilio and Maria Rosati for $135,000, which eclipsed the old mark of $125,000.
The top lot capped a stunning sale for Art Major, whose nine offerings averaged almost $62,000.
Art Major colts accounted for the top three prices of the night – $135,000, $87,500 and $85,000.
Colts by Rocknroll Hanover and Grinfromeartoear also realised $85,000.
In total, 70 lots went under the hammer, grossing $2.524 million at an Australian record average of $36,057.
The Sunday sale two days later saw a further 181 lots sold at an average of $12,157.
Over the two days, 252 yearlings were sold in Melbourne at an average of $18,823.
Following on from record prices at both the Tasmanian and South Australian yearlings sales, the results should be an enormous boost for breeder confidence.
Of the 252 yearlings which changed hands, 81 reached $20,000 or more and 18 achieved $50,000 or more.
Australasian Breeders Crown-eligible youngsters led the way with the top eight lots all paid up for the exciting juvenile series.
Transfer Of Ownership
IF YOU purchased a yearling at the recent sales, remember to lodge a Transfer Of Ownership as soon as possible.
By doing so, you will be sure to receive all correspondence regarding the Australasian Breeders Crown and Vicbred Program.
If your yearling is Vicbred, there is no cost to process a Transfer of Ownership.
However, if it is lodged between 30 and 90 days after the sale, a late fee of $55 will be imposed.
Process you paper work swiftly and take advantage of both benefits.
Vicbred Trophy Races
EVERY Victorian Country Club will host one $6000 Vicbred Trophy Race during the 2008/09 season.
Both trotting and pacing races are conducted across a variety of classes.
Following are the results of recent Vicbred Trophy Races:-
Yarra Valley – January 22
C1 only. RBD. Mobile Start.
Winner: LIVING ON FIRE – Live Or Die x Under Wraps (Even Odds)
Owner: C & M Sciberras
Trainer: Bill Galea
Driver: Damian Wilson
Breeder: Borambola Stud
Geelong – January 23
C1 and C2 Mare. PBD/C. Mobile Start.
Winner: LANDSITA – Badlands Hanover x Melita (Whats Next)
Owner: Margaret Lee
Trainer: Margaret Lee
Driver: Glenn Craven
Breeder: Margaret Lee
Bendigo – January 30
C0 Mares. RBD. Mobile Start.
Winner: WAIKIKI BEACH – Beach Towel x Motor Show (New York Motoring)
Owner: PA Dargan, P McCaffrey, M & P Clarke
Trainer: Patrick Dargan
Driver: Nigel Milne
Breeder: Geoffrey Dodd
Vicbred Bonuses (to February 11)
Vicbred Breeder Bonuses
2YO $11,250
3YO $69,150
4Y0 $1200
Vicbred Win Bonuses
2YO $33,000
3YO $258,500
4YO $264,000
