Kiwi Chronicles

One is good, two is better

When breeder Don Goodwin purchased Opulence (Danroad) for $14,000 out of the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock Broodmare Sale, could he have dreamed that one of her foals would capture 11 Group 1 wins, including a magnificent Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) in such devastating fashion? Yes, he could. Goodwin intentionally put in place an experiment.... Read More

One of us

Our industry lost one its most ardent supporters last week. From an early age, Her Majesty The Queen understood the attraction of the thoroughbred and, following on from her father, King George VI, and grandfather, King George V, became, not only enamoured, but deeply involved. Saturday’s issue of ANZ Bloodstock News featured a wonderful tribute... Read More

Excitement building

Barely a month into the new season and already the juices are flowing. Moonee Valley’s weight-for-age classic championship, the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040), is just next month, albeit the fourth Saturday of next month. However, the field is developing into another gem.  It’s been a decade since a New Zealand-bred horse won the Cox... Read More

Breathing different air

Te Akau Racing’s latest star, Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), has some way yet to go to match the exploits of former stablemates Melody Belle (Commands) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock), but on Saturday’s electric performance, when bolting away with the Foxbridge Plate (Gr 2, 1200m), the four-year-old clearly has all the makings of a champion. Her... Read More

Will to win

Lickety Split (Turn Me Loose) knows where the line is. The tough filly doesn’t win by much, but she fights like a tigress, a trait she has displayed in all three of her victories. A winning trial (late January at Ellerslie) was followed by her race debut, also at Ellerslie (February 19), where she co-led... Read More

Unwanted

Take your pick. The headline of today’s column could be applied to Mr Brightside, his sire, Bullbars (Elusive Quality) or his dam Lilahjay (Tavistock). Maybe even all three, simultaneously. Any way you look at it, it’s accurate, and Mr Brightside proves that rags-to-riches stories are still possible, even in the increasingly expensive business of buying... Read More