Warwick Farm Double for Vin Cox Bloodstock
March 29 – The winning run being enjoyed by the team at Vin Cox Bloodstock continued at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with a first and last race double courtesy of Weekend in Paris and Test Edition.
Having her first run back from a spell after running a terrific fourth on debut to Hurried Choice in the Listed AJC Gimcrack Stakes last spring, Weekend in Paris proved too strong and classy in scoring a length and a half win in the juvenile fillies event over 1100 metres.
Burdened with 58 kg, she sat outside the leader before kicking clear in a performance that delighted trainer Gary Portelli.
“I was worried she may have been a run short today, but she has that touch of class and we’ll look at running her in a race like the Listed Keith Mackay at Randwick over the carnival,” said Portelli.
Like our other Vin Cox Bloodstock purchase Cigar Royale, who finished a great third in the Listed AJC T.L. Baillieu Handicap on Sunday, Weekend in Paris was also bought by Vin from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is by the very same sire in Beautiful Crown (USA).
Vin snapped Weekend in Paris up for just $29,000 from the draft of Alanbridge Stud and she comes with a strong female pedigree being from Lae Lady Lae (NZ), a half-sister to stakes-winner and Caulfield Cup runner-up Laebeel, who traces to the influential matriarch Froth.
Improving Testa Rossa three year-old Test Edition claimed the second win of his career when capturing the Class One event over 1600 metres.
A winner two starts back at Randwick on the Kenso track and then not beaten far at his last appearance in the Group Two STC Phar Lap Stakes, Test Edition was well placed in this assignment and raced accordingly.
Test Edition was bred and offered for sale by Ross Cribb’s Jay-R Stud fetching $52,500 at the 2005 Inglis Sires’ Produce Sale, knocked down to the Vin’s bid.
Test Edition is the first foal of the good metropolitan winner Lili Marleine, who was also bred and raced by Ross Cribb, being by Kaaptive Edition from the Luskin Star mare Universal Lady, a half-sister to stakes-winner Reverse Pass.
Test Edition is one of two smart horses by Testa Rossa purchased by Vin Cox, the other being Vecchia Roma who will contest the Group One STC Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill this Saturday.
International Double for Vin Cox Bloodstock
March 26 – The team at Vin Cox Bloodstock had every reason to celebrate after a weekend that featured winners in Australia and North America, with US based three year-old filly Moonee Ponds capturing her first Black Type event on Sunday.
Making her stakes debut in the mile and a sixteenth Bedanken Stakes on the turf at the Fair Grounds track in New Orleans, Moonee Ponds notched a winning hat-trick when she cruised away from her rivals to win eased down by three lengths.
Moonee Ponds was purchased by Vin for just $US45,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and races for an all Australian syndicate, the filly trained for them by Thomas Proctor.
The group elected to turn down a lucrative offer for the filly at the start of this preparation, preferring to race her and the decision has reaped immediate results as she has won three of five starts earning $US118,578 and will head back to Kentucky for her next assignment.
Moonee Ponds comes with an A Grade pedigree being a half-sister by Mizzen Mast to Group Three winner Lotta Dancing and Japanese stakes-winner Mambo Twist, their dam Lotka, a Group One winner by Danzig and full sister to another Group One winner in Stephan’s Odyssey.
The filly was purchased with the intent of racing her in the US, her pedigree ensuring future residual value and now with an all-important Black Type success on her resume, Moonee Ponds is looking like a blue chip investment.
At Warwick Farm on Sunday, exciting prospect Peregian posted her fourth win from eight starts when she proved too solid for One Perfect Day in the 1400 restricted metre restricted event for three year-old fillies.
The John Hawkes trained filly has already won over $95,000 in prizemoney, a sensational return on her modest purchase price of $40,000 and the daughter of Grand Lodge (USA) will now chase Black Type over the Randwick carnival with possible targets being the Listed AJC Carbine Club Stakes or Group Three AJC South Pacific Classic.
Peregian was plucked from the draft of Collingrove Stud at the 2005 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and is the second foal of Unbridled Victory (USA), a three-quarter sister to Group Two winner Fappaburst by leading US sire Unbridled.
Bought on spec, Vin liked her so much he decided to retain a share and races Peregian with co-owners Mark Flagg of Barellan, near Griffith and Michael Collins, who lives at Peregian Beach, hence the name!
Peregian comes from a strong international Black Type producing family and if she can gain Black Type of her own somewhere along the line, will make a lovely broodmare with international appeal.
The other highlight of the day at Warwick Farm came when the Vin Cox purchased Cigar Royale flashed home for third beaten a long head and a head behind Pistols and Switchblade in the Listed AJC T.L. Baillieu Handicap.
Coming off an impressive maiden win last start at Hawkesbury over 1400 metres, the Gary Portelli trained Cigar Royale stamped himself as a horse of real talent with this performance, his first attempt at stakes company.
Cigar Royale was purchased by Vin for $46,000 from the draft of Erinvale Thoroughbreds at the 2006 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is by consistent winner-getter Beautiful Crown (USA) from Royal Magenta.
The first foal of his dam, Cigar Royale comes from the family of Group winners Rock You, Marnie’s Magic and two-time Hong Kong International Bowl winner Monopolize.
Raced by a group of six lucky owners, Cigar Royale will also aim up at Black Type success over the Randwick carnival with a tilt at the Listed AJC Fernhill Handicap over 1600 metres on the agenda.
Meurice Win a Great Beginning for New Partnership
Sydney March 18 – An exciting win by Strategic colt Meurice in the Group Two STC Todman Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday provided the perfect result for his new partnership of owners.
Bred and originally raced outright by Victorian businessman Jonathan Munz and his Pinecliff Racing Syndicate, Meurice attracted the attention of bloodstock agents Vin Cox and Damon Gabbedy (Belmont Bloodstock) after turning in some eye catching performances during the Melbourne spring carnival.
A runaway winner on debut in the Listed MRC Debutants Stakes at Caulfield, he then finished a close third to Husson Lighting in the Group Three VRC Maribyrnong Plate and held second behind Press the Button in the Listed MRC Merson Cooper Stakes.
With the David Hayes trained pair of Husson Lightning and Press the Button seen immediately as Golden Slipper candidates it was not hard to envisage Meurice also being in the Slipper mix.
“Gai approached me in September about finding a young horse that had a good pedigree and a decent race record that she could potentially turn into a stallion prospect, like she did with Secret Savings,” said Vin Cox.
“After a little bit of looking abroad there wasn't much that was jumping out at us, so Damon and I thought Meurice filled the bill pretty nicely. We suggested him to Gai and she liked the pedigree, he also lit up on Robbie's ratings so he was a goer.”
Following further negotiation a deal was struck, with Gai’s clients acquiring 50% of Meurice.
Transferred to Tulloch Lodge, Meurice trialled impressively twice in preparation for the Todman, but was still sent out at the succulent odds of 16-1 given the presence of raging hot favourite Shaft, who was deemed near enough to unbeatable in pre-race markets.
The arrival of heavy rain evened the playing field and it was Meurice who did best in the testing conditions, finishing too solidly for Zizou and Shaft to win by a neck.
He will now take his place in the Group One STC Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday week, so fingers crossed for a good barrier!
Fine Form for Vin Cox Juveniles
March 19 2007
Two year-olds purchased by Vin Cox Bloodstock have been in great form in the past week with Vecchia Roma returning with a slashing second in the Group Three AJC Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick and Cigar Royale and Kick ‘n Chase running the quinella at Hawkesbury last Thursday.
The David Payne trained Vecchia Roma had not raced since finishing seventh beaten a touch over two lengths behind Mimi Lebrock in the Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic, but returned in brilliant style with a flashing run to be beaten a neck by Chinchilla Rose in the Sweet Embrace.
A $75,000 Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Broadwater Farm, Vecchia Roma has already won $102,800 for her owners Brian and Pam Ireland and Scott and Lisa Murray.
The daughter of Testa Rossa is Golden Slipper bound and is nominated for the Group Two STC Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill this Saturday.
The Gary Portelli trained Beautiful Crown (USA) gelding Cigar Royale opened his winning account last Thursday when he got the better of Kick’n Chase to win the 1400 metre maiden by a length.
Both young horses were secured by Vin with Cigar Royale a $46,000 purchase from the draft of Erinvale Thoroughbreds at the 2006 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, while Kick ‘n’ Chase (trained by Clarry Conners) cost $80,000, plucked from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2006 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Cigar Royale and Kick ‘n Chase both race for big groups of owners, who look set for plenty of excitement in the future with their promising charges.
Success Overseas and at Home for Vin Cox Bloodstock
19 February 2007
The team at Vin Cox Bloodstock had plenty to get excited about last week with three year-old fillies Moonee Ponds and Peregian notching an international double, the former scoring at Fair Grounds in the USA, while the latter resumed with a win at Canterbury on Thursday night.
Promising filly Moonee Ponds made it two wins from four starts when she scored again at New Orleans, this time on the turf, kicking clear in the straight to score by a widening two lengths.
Moonee Ponds was purchased by Vin for just $US45,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and races for an all Australian syndicate, the filly trained for them by Thomas Proctor.
After her previous win the group turned down a lucrative offer for the filly, but elected to persevere with great results as the filly has now won $US58,578.
Moonee Ponds comes with an A Grade pedigree being a half-sister by Mizzen Mast to Group Three winner Lotta Dancing and Japanese stakes-winner Mambo Twist, their dam Lotka, a Group One winner by Danzig and full sister to another Group One winner in Stephan’s Odyssey.
The filly was purchased with the intent of racing her in the US, her pedigree ensuring future residual value and now with a couple of wins and the promise of better things to come, Moonee Ponds is looking like an outstanding investment.
The John Hawkes trained Peregian looks set for another successful campaign after being given a good spell following a win at Canterbury back in October.
Tipped out to strengthen and mature, the Grand Lodge (USA) filly has done just that and was able to overcome a few difficulties in transit to post a long neck win as 7/4 favourite in the Class Three event over 1250 metres with Darren Beadman in the saddle.
Peregian has won three of six starts earning $$65,730, her connections already in the black with the expectation of more to come.
Peregian was purchased by Vin for just $40,000 from the draft of Collingrove Stud at the 2005 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale last June and is the second foal of Unbridled Victory (USA), a three-quarter sister to Group Two winner Fappaburst by leading US sire Unbridled.
She’s a filly we bought on spec and then liked so much we decided to retain a share in her to race, along with co-owners Mark Flagg of Barellan, near Griffith and Michael Collins, who lives at Peregian Beach, hence the name!
Peregian comes from a strong international Black Type producing family and if she can gain Black Type of her own somewhere along the line, will make a lovely broodmare with international appeal.
Apart from Peregian’s win, the Canterbury night meeting also provided good results for another couple of Vin Cox Bloodstock purchases in two year old gelding Allervite and four year-old gelding Cuerdale, the pair both finishing second.
Allervite has yet to miss a place in three runs this preparation, while Cuerdale is also racing in great heart and his turn for metropolitan success cannot be far off after three consecutive frustrating second placings!
American Success for Moonee Ponds
January 21 2007
Vin Cox Bloodstock purchase a number of fillies and mares at the Keeneland Sales in Kentucky each year and tasted success on the weekend when three year-old filly Moonee Ponds broke through for a win at the Fair Grounds track in New Orleans.
Having just her third start after a debut fifth at Churchill Downs and a recent third on December 30 at Fair Grounds, both runs on bog tracks, Moonee Ponds relished the firmer footing to break her maiden by a length, with some nine lengths back to the third place-getter.
Moonee Ponds was purchased by Vin for just $US45,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and races for an all Australian syndicate, the filly trained for them by Thomas Proctor.
Moonee Ponds comes with an A Grade pedigree being a half-sister by Mizzen Mast to Group Three winner Lotta Dancing and Japanese stakes-winner Mambo Twist, their dam Lotka, a Group One winner by Danzig and full sister to another Group One winner in Stephan’s Odyssey.
The filly was purchased with the intent of racing her in the US, her pedigree ensuring future residual value and now with a win and the expectation of further racetrack success, Moonee Ponds is looking like a more than handy investment.
Black Type for Chaud Roche and Win for Allervite
January 21 2007
The last week has been a productive one for the team at Vin Cox Bloodstock with a valuable Black Type placing for talented mare Chaud Roche in the Listed STC Canterbury Classic and an impressive Wyong win for two year-old Allervite.
Chaud Roche is one of the most consistent mares in training and her effort to finish third, beaten less than a length, to proven Group One performers Impaler and Media at Canterbury last Thursday night provided her owners with a tremendous thrill.
Chaud Roche was virtually stolen by Vin for just $28,000 from the 2004 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, plucked from the draft of Alanbridge Stud.
By under-rated sire Beautiful Crown (USA), Chaud Roche is the third foal of the Danzero mare Hot and Danzerous, a half-sister to former slick sprinting mare Hot to Race, a Group Three winner of close to $350,000 in prizemoney.
Prepared by Gary Portelli, Chaud Roche has been an absolute gem for her group of lucky owners winning $189,930 with five wins and seven placings from her 27 starts.
Whatever happens with Chaud Roche from here is a bonus with that Black Type performance ensuring her value as a broodmare prospect when her racing days are done.
Promising gelding Allervite resumed from a spell with a terrific effort at Wyong on Sunday, delighting his big team of owners with the ease of his two-length win at his first run back from a spell.
Tipped out by Gary Portelli after missing the kick and racing greenly when unplaced behind Murtajill in the Listed AJC Breeders Plate back in the spring, Allervite has been a real professional this time around, an eye-catching barrier trial win preceding his triumphant return to the races.
Allervite was selected and purchased by Vin for $60,000 from the draft of Robin Wise at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale and runs for a syndicate of nine owners including Dennis Yopp and Pat Nati.
He is the second winner from the very first crop sired by champion sprinter Choisir and is the third foal of stakes-placed Success Express (USA) mare Hit and Run, who hails from the family of stakes-winners Lucky Dapper and Spearman.
Vecchia Roma Races into Magic Millions Contention
10 January 2007
Vecchia Roma threw down the gauntlet to her Magic Millions rivals with a devastating win in the Parramatta Leagues Club Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Vecchia Roma, a $75,000 Magic Millions purchase for Vin Cox Bloodstock, sat off the speed before sweeping to the leaders in the home straight and then striding clear of the previously unbeaten Aqua Calda to win by two and three quarter lengths.
The David Payne trained filly is now bound for the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast next Saturday. “I think she’ll stack up with the good fillies,” said Payne. “Hopefully she draws a gate [in the Magic Millions] and then we’ll find out.” Jockey Brad Pengelly said Vecchia Roma was on the improve despite winning two of her four starts.
An athletic racy brown filly by former champion racehorse Testa Rossa, Vecchia Roma is raced by Brian and Pat Ireland and Scott and Lisa Murray. Selected by Vin Cox from the draft of Broadwater Farm as agent, Vecchia Roma is the third foal of the Rustic Amber (IRE) mare Mirror Image, a metropolitan winning half-sister to stakes-placed Red Rascal from a fast running, predominantly Victorian family.
