There's a distinctive LA flavour to the just released markets for the 1000/2000 Guineas. Towkay's pocket rocket Special Mission heads the charts for the fillies classic. And Alamosa (O Reilly-Lodore Mystic), joint favourite for the 2000 Guineas, is very closely related to the LA broodmares, Cent From Heaven (a full sister to Lodore Mystic) and her half sister Double Okay.
Alamosa's win in the classic on 17 November would be redemption of sorts for Eloa (Volksraad-Cent From Heaven). It was three years ago this Saturday when Eloa, raced by the Jam Tarts syndicate, brilliantly won the Highview Stakes at Hastings, rocketing her into favouritism for the 1000 Guineas. Unfortunatly a stone bruise robbed her of getting to the Gr 1 in Christchurch. Fast forward and Eloa is enjoying the second stage of her career as a broodmare here at LA, safely in foal to the exceedingly handsome Golden Slipper winning son of Redoutes Choice in Stratum. In terms of good looks and genes, in human terms it's like Maria Sharapova carrying to Dan Carter. The foal should be a cracker! Now wouldn't it be poignant if she foaled this weekend!
Race results wise, Delbraes victory in the Geraldine Cup on Sunday kicked off his campaign towards a second consecutive win in the Group Two Coupland's Bakeries Mile on 14 November. Breaking 1.36 for the mile and carrying 59kgs - giving 5kgs plus to the field - it was another timely performance for us given our purchase earlier this year of his dam We Leica, who is due to foal to Bradbury's Luck this season and will visit Stratum at Widden Stud.
We couldn't not mention Lotzatow's (Towkay-Maretto) fresh up second in Hong Kong on Saturday night. Although beaten by Packing Winner, a Zabeel horse with a massive reputation, it was a welcome return to the kind of form which saw him place behind Hong Kong superstars Armada and Able One last year. Lotzatow was bred by LA in partnership with Rosalie Stolte. Sam's still taking bookings for Towkay, rated the best value sire in New Zealand for a between $5,500 and $15,000 service fee according to an article on www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz last month.
It's another big day at Hastings this Saturday with quality fields and plenty of LA connected horses represented. Whilst our focus will be on the unbeaten Special Mission (Towkay-Te Akau Trek) and her bid to win the Group Three Highview Stakes, we shall also be cheering on the likes of Kay's Awake (Towkay -Wake Up Suzie), and Earaheedy (Danasinga-Forest Dream). Earaheedy in particular looks a very good prospect, after running a close third on the first day despite been posted wide then taken on in front. Sam especially will be cheering on Earaheedy, as she was his first international purchase and her progeny have their mums kind and genuine disposition.
Talk too you next week with hopefully plenty of encouraging results out of Hawkes Bay.
