Befuddle (AUS)
2 f Hanseatic – Absolute Puzzle by Rubick
O: Mr D P Azzopardi, Ms S K Shultz, Mr J Nowicki, Mr N Lovell, Mr G D Chapman, Mr M P Chapman, Chevron Racing, Heidi Heidi Ho, Mr R Andrew, Merrymen, Mr M H Christie, Mr S J Collett, Mr G J Anastasio, Mr G Chappell, Mr G J Flynn, Mr D S Barlow, Mr A C Muller, Sneaky Investments, Mr L Andrew, Mr I W Harrison
B: Dream Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd
T: John Sadler
S: 2024 Inglis Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale V: Stonehouse Thoroughbreds P: Dream Thoroughbreds / Sadler Racing, $30,000
W: The Normie Jones Handicap, 1200m, February 28, The Valley
Befuddle, the only two-year-old in John Sadler’s stable, posted an impressive performance when she got off the mark at the third time of asking in a 1200-metre contest at Moonee Valley on February 28.
Ridden by Jye McNeil, the filly jumped well from the outside barrier to lead the field, kicking away at the bend and holding on in a gritty performance to defeat the fast-finishing Ornos (Toronado) by 0.75-lengths, with Leave No Doubt (Doubtland) a further 3.5-lengths away in third.
“She is the first horse that we’ve had for Dave and Dream Thoroughbreds. She’s only going to get better. She was unbelievable odds [$18], actually. Her run was pretty good the other day at Flemington. She did too much wrong and the jockey [McNeil] slaughtered her actually.” Sadler jokingly told Racing.com post-race.
McNeil was also pleased with the filly’s performance.
“I think John’s being a bit harsh there, it’s hard to slaughter them in a straight line. He actually said to me at Flemington the other day that this is by far his best two-year-old and he said, ‘Do you know why? It’s the only one.’” the winning rider said.
“You just had to go forward tonight obviously, it didn’t look a lot of speed on paper, and she landed in that position relatively easily, gave her the rail to follow and she took care of tonight’s field with ease, so it was a great win”
Bred by Dream Thoroughbreds, Befuddle was originally passed in at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, before being bought by Dream with John Sadler for $30,000 via the Stonehouse Thoroughbred’s draft at the Inglis Gold Yearling Sale in Melbourne later that same year.
The filly is the second foal and first winner out of placed mare Absolute Puzzle (Rubick), who is herself a half-sister to Adelaide Guineas (Listed, 1600m) winner Poifect (Pierro).
Absolute Puzzle was purchased by Sneaky Investments for a mere $10,000 at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Broodmare Sale, whose colt by I Am Immortal (I Am Invincible) was also purchased by Dream Thoroughbreds earlier this week at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $45,000.
By Rosemont Stud’s first-season sire Hanseatic (Street Boss), the win delivered her sire his second individual winner.