The late season two-year-old star Special Mission (Towkay - Te Akau Trek) and confirmation of Armada's (Towkay - Dance In Time) high international rating last week have seen heightened interest in Towkay. Sam's taken steady bookings through the last couple of weeks and he looks like he will serve one of his best books of mares this season.
The article by Renee Geelen on www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz on 20th August has helped too. Renee classified stallions standing in New Zealand with three or more crops racing on a best value basis, derived from stakeswinners to foals and 2007 yearling sales results. And there sitting proudly at numero uno in the between $5,500 and $15,000 plus GST service fee category was Towkay; an even more meritorious performance when you consider he's just moved into this fee bracket, after previously standing for $5,000 plus GST. The best value sire in the over $15,500 plus GST bracket was Zabeel!
Towkay had another winner in Malaysia over the weekend with Ego's Malang (Towkay - Hyapatia Lee) scoring over 1400m. The gelding sold for $28,000 from our 2004 Karaka Select Yearling Sale draft, on behalf of Fred Cornege and LA Stud.
Grand Dancer (No Excuse Needed - Clermont Rose) took on some classy sorts in last Saturdays Run To The Rose at Rosehill over 1300m. Although only seventh the long-striding-colt did miss the jump and raced back on a day when little made ground from the rear. It's over 1600m plus that the LA bred and sold colt will really shine.
LA bred Pinelope (Pins - Cymbidium) won well over 1200m in Queensland last Sunday. A recent barrier trial winner at Eagle Farm by five lengths, she looks to be an improved mare since venturing north from Victoria after being purchased by Paul Beamish. Cymbidium's No Excuse Needed colt sold for a record establishing $230,000 at this years Karaka Select Yearling Sale. Bred in conjunction with Cymbidium's part owner Rob Tunnicliffe, her 2006 filly by Bertolini was bought earlier this year by another stud client John Worley, and goes through our draft at next years Karaka Sales Series. Cymbidium unfortunately missed to No Excuse Needed last year.
Wairarapa breeder Richard Cottle would have been a happy man on Saturday following the impressive debut win by Bohika (Sandtrap-Young Jude) at Otaki Maori. We were not exactly too upset either, as Richard has Young Jude in foal to Towkay and booked to go back to the son of Last Tycoon this season.
Kay's Awakes (Towkay - Wake Up Suzie) win at Tuesdays Taupo trials impressed a host of good judges and she's moved onto the second line of betting for the Group Two 1400m Mudgway Partsworld Stakes at Hastings on 1 September . Placed third behind Darci Brahma last season (beaten less than a length) at Group One level over 1400m, the five-year-old mare has a potent record fresh, and at Hastings. High Octane (Towkay - Trendy And True) won the other open 1200m trial at Taupo.
There are a number of mares close to foaling but no new arrivals yet this week.
Finally, Sam's after staff for the new season which is 1 September to 31 March. Experience with mares and/or yearlings is preferred but not essential. Ask around, the LA staff work hard but have a really good time doing it so don t hesitate, call Sam now on 0274 853400
