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Tuesday, February 3, 2026

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Blue Diamond Stakes

Eternal Warrior set to tune up for Blue Diamond task in Caulfield’s Preview

Trevor Marshallsea

ANZ News

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Eternal Warrior (Credit: Racing Photos)

Trainer Lloyd Kennewell is growing excited about the Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) prospects of Eternal Warrior (Extreme Warrior) as the stallion sons of Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt) continue their encouraging early steps in the stud world this weekend.

Eternal Warrior, an ultra-impressive long odds winner of Caulfield’s Merson Cooper Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at his only start in late November, resumes among the favourites in Saturday’s colts and geldings’ Blue Diamond Prelude (Gr 3, 1100m).

What's On

That his sire Extreme Warrior (Extreme Choice) can boast a stakes success among two winners from six runners represents a brilliant start to siring life for Rosemont Stud’s seven-year-old.

And he’s put himself in the centre of discussions as the Australian breeding scene eagerly watches to see the extent to which Extreme Choice’s red hot siring power will be passed on through his sons.

Four of them are at stud in Australia, with Extreme Choice’s Newgate Farm barnmate Stay Inside also off to a flyer.

The Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) hero has two stakes victors among three winners from six runners.

Michael Freedman’s Incognito took Randwick’s Breeders’ Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) on debut. He disappointed on resumption in Saturday’s Canonbury Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Rosehill, but another Stay Inside - Eviction Notice - took third to become the stallion’s third stakes horse, in a race incidentally taken out on debut by Extreme Choice’s second-most expensive yearling, $1.7 million colt Hidrix.

Meanwhile, Andrew Forsman’s daughter of Stay Inside, Lassified, has won two of three in New Zealand, including Trentham’s Wellesley Stakes (Listed, 1100m), and is nominated for Saturday’s $2 million Inglis Millennium (RL, 1100m) at Randwick.

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Another Stay Inside daughter, Shy Miss, is nominated to debut for the Moody-Coleman team in Saturday’s fillies’ Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (Gr 2, 1100m) at Caulfield, after winning two of her four barrier trials, all at Pakenham.

Newgate’s other son of Extreme Choice, Tiger Of Malay, has had eight runners including fillies Momentslikethese - who’s run second in a Tasmanian Listed - and Tigroni, who’s been placed twice in Sydney and ran third at the Gold Coast behind Gimcrack Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) winner Shiki (Too Darn Hot).

Despite awaiting his first winner, Tiger Of Malay sits atop the Australian first season sires’ table, thanks to Tigroni’s earnings. Although she only finished ninth in the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m), she scooped a $330,000 Racing Women’s Bonus for being the first all female-owned runner home, which somehow gets considered in stallion standings.

In any event, Australia’s first season sires’ table now features the above three sons of Extreme Choice in its top five, with Stay Inside third and Extreme Warrior fifth.

The fourth Extreme Choice at stud, Don Corleone, standing at Eureka Stud in partnership with Newgate, has his first crop of foals on the ground.

Subfertile sensation Extreme Choice’s yearling prices continue to spiral upwards. His eight sold lots at Magic Millions Gold Coast last month averaged $822,500, and included the sale’s equal-top purchase, a colt sold by Kingstar Farm to Yulong for $2 million.

Extreme Choice (Credit: Newgate)

That average compares to Extreme Choice’s Gold Coast 2025 figure of $478,333, and his average last year overall of $477,575.

And this comes alongside expectations of a particularly attractive batch of yearlings by Extreme Choice headed to Inglis Easter.

The 12-year-old - whose 18 stakes winners include six at the top level and come at a thumping 12.24 per cent of runners - also has a colt and two fillies headed to next week’s Inglis Classic sale, spread across Newgate and Kingstar Farm’s drafts.

As Extreme Choice’s small crops of yearlings continue to rise in price alongside his stellar results on the track, more and more buyers, perhaps with an eye on budgets, will be looking to the offspring of his sons as a means of tapping into his increasingly valuable blood.

That was partly what motivated Kennewell at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale last year, when he paid $80,000 with Blueblood Thoroughbreds for Eternal Warrior, who was bred by the China Horse Club and sold by its NSW southern highlands stud farm, The Chase.

The strapping colt, from the same family as quadruple Group 1-winning mare Alinghi (Encosta De Lago), bore a strong resemblance to a son of Extreme Choice in the Kennewell stable, the Listed-winning and Group-placed Meridius.

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“Adelaide’s been a very good sale for me over the years. I’ve bought a lot of really good, stakes-class horses there,” said the Cranbourne-based Kennewell, who began his career in his hometown of Adelaide and bought stars including his dual Group 1 winner Viddora (I Am Invincible) at the city’s yearling sale.

“I went there to buy a nice colt and he [Eternal Warrior] was the one colt I wanted for the year over there, so it worked out well.

“He was by a son of Extreme Choice, but he had a lot of resemblance to Extreme Choice. He reminded me a lot of Meridius, actually, a very good, strong looking colt.

“I’ve had a lot of luck with Extreme Choice, I’ve had two stakes horses by him, so I know the breed pretty well.

“Obviously his stats are through the roof for the numbers he gets. He’s going to another level with the prices people are paying for his stock now.

“Extreme Warrior had the same bloodlines, and this colt looked very much in the shape of an Extreme Choice colt, so I was very keen and happy to buy him.

Leading first season sires in Australia by earnings

Tiger Of Malay
$471.4K
Home Affairs
$388.1K
Stay Inside
$322K
Sword Of State
$271.8K
Extreme Warrior
$218.5K

“I thought he might go for $100,000, so getting him for $80,000 was great. I guess the fact he was by a first-season sire helped keep his price down, and I guess Adelaide is that sort of sale.

“But anyway, that price is looking even cheaper now.”

Kennewell said that with the Australian scene “looking for that next stallion to come through”, it was understandable that buyers would place faith in the sons of Extreme Choice.

“I can see them working,” he told ANZ News. “I’ve already seen one work, as in we’ve got a stakes winner by Extreme Warrior, so I can’t see why a few of the others won’t perform.

“They were pretty well-performed racehorses, Don Corleone, Tiger Of Malay, Extreme Warrior, Stay Inside. You’ve got to say they’re going to work. I think the future’s pretty safe with a few of those stallions. They’ll fly the flag for sure.”

Bearing the Rosemont colours throughout his track career, Extreme Warrior went to stud after just eight starts for three wins, including a Group 3 and a Listed at Caulfield. The Price-Kent Jnr-trained colt started $3.40 favourite in the 2021 Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), finishing tenth behind another current first-season sire, Home Affairs (I Am Invincible).

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If Eternal Warrior can continue on from his strong start, he could provide a timely boost for Extreme Warrior, whose other winner Blandford Baron scored at Morphettville. Latest studbook figures show Extreme Warrior covered 48 mares last season at $13,200 (inc GST), after serving 22 in 2024 at $16,500. He kicked off his career in 2022, covering 113 mares at $24,750.

Kennewell said he was particularly pleased to have the “straightforward” son of Extreme Warrior he has.

Eternal Warrior is the first foal of winning sprinter Devout Hero (No Nay Never), a half-sister to three stakes-placed gallopers whose second dam - the also stakes-placed Oceanfast (Monde Bleu), was the mother of Alinghi.

The colt ran second in two trials in November, finishing 1.25 lengths behind Alibaba (Alabama Express) in the second. Despite that performance, but perhaps due to drawing the widest gate of 13, he started at $41 behind Alibaba’s $5.50 in the Merson Cooper.

But after travelling three and four-wide without cover throughout the 1000-metre journey, Eternal Warrior showed tremendous grit up the Caulfield straight to win by 0.1 lengths from another son of a first-season sire in Stretan Ruler (Wild Ruler). Alibaba was 1.25 lengths away in third.

“It was a terrific win,” Kennewell said. “I’m not really sure why he was so long in the market, to be honest, but I don’t try to work out the odds - I just train them.”

“

We’ve got him right where we want him now. Saturday will top him off for a fortnight’s time. Whatever he does on Saturday, there’ll be more improvement to come for the grand final

Lloyd Kennewell

Eternal Warrior returned from a short break in an 800-metre Caulfield Heath barrier trial last Thursday, running a 0.5-length second. The trial’s time of 44.77s was the fastest of the seven 800-metre heats on the morning, comfortably eclipsing the 45.63s of the open trial in which the first three home were Group winners in My Gladiola (I Am Invincible), The Everest (Gr 1, 1200m) hero Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) and McGaw (I Am Immortal).

Kennewell said Eternal Warrior was “exactly where we wanted him to be” as he goes in fresh to the Prelude, two weeks in advance of the Blue Diamond, the $2 million stallion maker for which he’s currently $18.

“We qualified early by winning the Merson Cooper, and we were very keen to go the soft approach early and make sure we got him to the Prelude with room for improvement to go to the grand final two weeks later,” said Kennewell, who has booked Damian Lane as Eternal Warrior’s new rider for Saturday.

“He trialled up terrific. He was in need of a good trial, since he was carrying a bit of excess. Damian had his first sit on the horse and was very pleased with what he did.

“We’ve got him right where we want him now. Saturday will top him off for a fortnight’s time. Whatever he does on Saturday, there’ll be more improvement to come for the grand final.

“I don’t think Saturday be a huge field size - single digits, I reckon - but it’ll be a good race to find out where he’s at. There’s some nice horses in it and hopefully he’s one of them.”

“He’s a nice colt. He did everything right leading into the Merson Cooper and has done everything right since then. We’ve been very, very happy with him.”

The Prelude shapes as a quality affair, with Price-Kent Jnr’s recent Cranbourne debut winner Guest House (Home Affairs) at $2.10, Anthony and Sam Freedman’s second starter High Alert (Street Boss) at $5, and Eternal Warrior sharing the third line at $7 with Closer To Free (Street Boss), who debuts for Danny O’Brien after two recent trial wins.

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Morning Briefing

Australia

Waller maintaining faith in Wodeton

Wodeton (Credit: Sportpix)

Champion trainer Chris Waller is hoping that Wodeton (Wootton Bassett) can get his name back on the winning sheet when he returns for the Eskimo Prince Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. Waller has reported the colt to be in rude health ahead of his scheduled return, a race that will serve as a stepping stone towards the Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) back at the track next month. The son of Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) has just the sole win to his name, which came on debut back in January 2025, but he has finished runner-up in the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) and Golden Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) since then. "He’s come back well, really well," Waller said. "He will go to the Newmarket as well after this race as he will get well weighted. James [McDonald] is riding him next Saturday." The $2 million Group 1 Newmarket Handicap, a race Waller won last year with Joliestar (Zoustar), will be run at Flemington on March 7, and Waller also revealed that a step back up to 1400 metres and beyond is also on the cards. "We chose not to run in the Lightning, but the Newmarket will tell us [his best trip]," Waller said. "I won't hesitate to get him out to 1400 metres or 1500 metres. He’s continued to develop and strengthen."

Kevin Heffernan to decide future targets for Feroce

Last season's Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Feroce (Super Seth) could be targeted at further Group 1 contests this campaign as the Dom Sutton-trained four-year-old prepares to return in Saturday's Kevin Heffernan Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) at Caulfield. A four-race spring campaign proved slightly disappointing for the son of Super Seth (Dundeel), with a third place in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) not backed up by three efforts elsewhere, but Sutton is hopeful the gelding can return to something like his best this weekend. “He trialled on Friday [at Flemington] so we want to make sure he’s come through that trial,” Sutton told Racing.com. “We haven’t made any set plans whether we go back to Group 1 level or stay at Group 2 or Group 3 level. He’s come back really well, and he did show us plenty in the spring so we’re hopeful. The beginning of the spring was really good for him as he ran a personal best when third in the Group 1 [Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes] and then we got things wrong tactically in the Toorak. After that, we went to Sydney [for the Golden Eagle] and it rained the morning of and the ground was horrific and he never went a yard in it. But he’s shown he’s up to that level and if he runs well on Saturday then he’d probably go to the Futurity Stakes two weeks later.”

Peter Le Grand for Alpha Sofie

Alpha Sofie (Credit: Sportpix)

Progressive filly Alpha Sofie (Capitalist) will tackle Saturday's Peter Le Grand Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Caulfield as the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman stable begin to send out their star females. The former Queensland racer is unbeaten in Melbourne and racked up a hat-trick of victories when last seen scoring in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at The Valley on September 6. “She’s a lovely, progressive filly who won at The Valley last preparation before we tipped her out,” Coleman told Racing.com. “I think she’s improved this time around.” Alpha Sofie is set to be kept to shorter trips, while stablemates Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior) and Ole Dancer (Ole Kirk) will make their returns at Flemington on February 14. “Alpha Sofie; we’ll probably keep her to short courses, but the other two fillies will be that seven furlongs and over a mile,” Coleman said.

Jumpout confirms rude health of Sabaj

Cranbourne Cup (Listed, 1600m) winner Sabaj (Manhattan Rain) will make his return on Saturday week when he lines up at Flemington in The Elms Handicap (Listed, 1400m), having proven himself to be in good order with a jumpout on Monday morning. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding had a hitout over 1000 metres at Cranbourne, and Kent Jnr has been very pleased with what he has seen from the four-year-old son of Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago). “I do think it’s the best we’ve ever had this horse,” Kent Jnr told Racing.com of Sabaj, who finished third under a tight hold in his jumpout. “He’s just improving that bit by bit. Strengthening every prep, so we’ll see where the autumn takes us. He’s very progressive – he’s on an upward trajectory. Not sure where his ceiling is yet so that’s what is so exciting with him. The Doncaster could be a target, just see how he goes but he feels like he’s in really good form. It was a lovely trial. Only had three weeks off after the Ingham, so it’s a short turnaround. He’s thrived. He’s dappled from head to toe – he looks enormous, the horse. He settled back and closed very hard late and had a nice healthy blow so he’s pretty right. He’ll kick off on Saturday week in the listed Elms over 1400 metres at Flemington.”

Jenni could hit All-Star Mile first-up

Star mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) could make her first appearance this campaign in the All-Star Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) after she also impressed at the Cranbourne jumpouts on Monday. The eight-year-old daughter of Pride Of Dubai (Per Incanto) won the All-Star Mile in 2024, and added another top-level victory to her glittering record when capturing November's Empire Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m). “She’s in very good order actually,” Maher told Racing.com. “Galloped this morning and she’s going to jumpout next week, all going well. Very happy with her condition. She looks fantastic. Her demeanour is good and just the way she’s applying herself to her work is the same as normal. The All-Star Mile might be an option, but we will see how she jumps out.” Meanwhile, Maher also provided updates on last-start C.F. Orr Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) winner Jimmysstar (Per Incanto), Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) hero Observer (Ghiayyath) and The Everest (Gr 1, 1200m) runner-up Tempted (Street Boss). “He’s [Jimmysstar] going to kick-off in the William Reid to the TJ [Smith] and into the All Aged all going well," Maher said. "He’s just ticking over. He had a pretty busy time [in the spring] so we’ve just programmed the three races for him. He [Observer] came back a little bit more casual. He’d grown up a little bit and was a lot more relaxed, which was good because he was sort of quite on-it in the spring. I needed to see a sharper piece of work from him before racing and he did that this morning. It was quite sharp so he’ll kick-off in the Autumn Stakes. Her [Tempted] aim will be the Surround and she probably kicks-off in the Eskimo Prince [at Randwick on Saturday]. She worked this morning as well at Bong Bong and I think she’s a little bit more forward than what we had her last time. She’s a pretty exciting horse.”

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New Zealand

Rejuvenated Whangaehu in Auckland Cup contention

Whangaehu (Credit: Race Images)

Bill Thurlow endured his share of trials and tribulations with Whangaehu (Proisir) before the stayer’s latest show of form at Ellerslie. The Waverley trainer, who operates in partnership with Sam O’Malley, was delighted with the son of Proisir’s (Choisir) effort on Saturday to finish third over 2200 metres. Whangaehu came from the back of the field with a stout run under 61 kilograms, conceding seven kilos to the Stephen Marsh pair of Sinhaman (Tivaci) and Kiwi Skyhawk (Contributer). “Hopefully, we’ve got him back where he should be and it hasn’t been easy, so we were very happy with him,” Thurlow said. That performance elevated the seven-year-old to an $8 second favourite for next month’s Auckland Cup (Gr 2, 3200m). “It’s working out well and we’ll be trying to get him to the Cup. He’ll go to the Avondale Cup next, so he’s going to have to go to Ellerslie three times,” Thurlow said. “It’s a lot of travelling from where we’re based, but there’s no good lead-up races down here. It’s just the way the calendar is.” It will be Whangaehu’s second crack at the Cup after he finished seventh in the 2024 edition. “He went quite a good race, but he was a bit sharper and keener then and he’s got more dour since,” Thurlow said. Whangaehu was second-up in his preparation on Saturday after two unplaced efforts during the spring. “We thought we had him not far away, but he wasn’t quite clicking and not clearing the gates very well,” Thurlow said. “When we looked back at his races, they were over a mile and he’s never been a horse who’s been able to jump and sprint away from the gates. He needs time to get into his rhythm and when you get up in grade in those mile races on good tracks they do jump and run but then put the brakes on and a horse like him gets flat-footed and makes it quite difficult.”

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Kiwi Chronicles

A week to remember

Manzor Blue (Credit: Race Images)

Lloyd Jackson

ANZ News

Not too long ago (2019) the scene at Cambridge Stud was somewhat bleak, the stud having lost three stallions: Tavistock (Montjeu), Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) and Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), within months of each other.

At the time it was difficult to imagine how the legacy of Sir Patrick Hogan might recover from such devastating blows but recover they have and it is a testament to the drive of Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, in combination with great guidance from Henry Plumptre, that Cambridge Stud is back where Sir Patrick left it. Scott Calder and Cameron Ring can also take a bow as loyal staff members at the coal face.

Fittingly, the 100th National Yearling Sale has seen Cambridge Stud in the same position it held for 33 years (32 consecutively) under Hogan, as the leading vendor by aggregate. Hogan’s first title took place in 1978, before the Trentham and Karaka sales were dominated by Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor) and Zabeel (Sir Tristram).

On this occasion their star sire is Sword Of State (Snitzel) who sired the sale-topper and was fifth among the top ten sires by average, at $260,250 for 20 lots sold. The other nine on the top ten list all stand in Australia. Sword Of State’s stock are making a great impression within the industry with his first crop showing so much promise. There is a strong buzz around Sword Of State and it is going to be most interesting to see how his future unfolds.

Under the Lindsays, the stud led the aggregate in 2021 largely due to Almanzor (Wootton Bassett), then represented by his first crop. Almanzor provided the launch pad for Cambridge Stud’s return to the top and the stallion continues to sire quality winners. Within five weeks late last year he added four new stakes winners to his growing total and one, First Five, bagged Trentham’s Telegraph Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) on January 3.

Stakes winner number 30 was achieved this past Saturday when Manzor Blue put up a true stayer’s performance when scoring the Wellington Cup (Gr 3, 3200m). Almanzor is proving to be highly versatile. His premier performer is middle-distance star, recent Breeders’ Cup Fillies & Mares Turf (Gr 1, 11f) and Prix de Diane (Gr 1, 2100m) winner Gezora. Four of Almanzor’s stakes winners have been successful over 3200 metres yet December-January stakes winners Qali Al Farrasha, Lux Libertas, Mary Shan and First Five are sprinter-milers.

Manzor Blue had the entire field in front of her with a lap to run and was still last at the 1600 metres as well as last at the 1000 metres. Kate Hercock sent the mare forward from the 800 metres but ran into a brick wall near the straight entrance. Forced to look for a run near the fence, with a weaving run they had four to beat at the 200-metre mark. Fully wound up, they caught the leaders near the 100 metres and their momentum carried them to the line.

Manzor Blue provides inspiration for owners of maidens as she took 11 starts to break through, recording a second and two thirds leading up to a win over 2100 metres at Otaki in December, 2024. Win two took place at start 12 and in the meantime she placed four times. Jumping from Benchmark 75 class to Group 3, her $87 starting price was understandable as her form immediately prior to the Cup was ordinary despite finishing on in most of her races. Niggling back issues did not help. The win was just her third but the manner of her win was that of a true stayer. Connections must now be looking closer at the Auckland Cup (Gr 2, 3200m) scheduled for March 7.

Bred by Milan Park’s Tony Rider and raced by Albert Bosma’s Go Racing, Manzor Blue is a graduate of NZB’s 2022 Karaka Yearling Sales (Book 1) and was purchased by Go Racing for $130,000. She is one of five foals of which three have raced for two winners. Her dam is a half-sister to recent Group 3 winner Island Life (Vadamos) and she represents the Diamond Lover (Stick And Stones) branch of the famous Eight Carat (Pieces Of Eight) family, made famous by Sir Patrick Hogan, although Eight Carat is Manzor Blue’s sixth dam.

Completing a double

On the same Trentham card, Cambridge Stud’s Embellish (Savabeel) sired his fifth individual stakes winner when Ultimate Habit landed the Lowland Stakes (Gr 2, 2100m), her maiden win as well as her maiden stakes win.

Ultimate Habit (Credit: Race Images)

The value sire on the Cambridge Stud roster, Embellish himself made headlines last week at Karaka where his daughter, Lot 601, from Queen Of Wizardry (Not A Single Doubt), topped Book 2. The filly was originally passed in at $170,000 but buyers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young followed the filly back to Cambridge Stud’s parade area and signed the docket for $200,000. That made the stud four-from-four, as aggregate leading vendors for both Books 1 and 2 and as sellers of the two sale toppers.

Mostly in the last four until the 800 metres, Ultimate Habit went forward quickly from the 600 metres and was widest starting the run home. Going through her gears she maintained a strong run and had two to beat near the 100 metres before bounding to the front to win well.

Although this was her initial win, a fair sixth in the January 17 Desert Gold Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) provided a small clue. On Saturday she proved the best stayer and the Lowland has traditionally been a good indicator for the New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) which this year has been transferred to Ellerslie and will be staged on February 21, alongside the Avondale Guineas (Gr 2, 2100m). Both races will provide a lead in to the March 7 New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m).

Ultimate Habit is the only foal of her winning dam, Queens Habit (Bachelor Duke), to race, the latter a half-sister to the dam of dual Group 3 winner Decorah (Pins). The latter ranks as a half-sister to the dam of New Zealand 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Molly Bloom (Ace High). As her name might suggest, Ultimate Habit is closely related to the legend Rough Habit (Roughcast). In fact, she was bred by Mrs I M Roddick who bred Rough Habit. Ultimate Habit’s granddam, dual Melbourne winner Danish Habit (Danehill) is Rough Habit’s half-sister.

Rough Habit was a marvel whose 29 wins included 11 Group 1s among which were three Doomben Cups (Gr 1, 2000m) and two Stradbroke Handicaps (Gr 1, 1400m). Roddick also co-bred Livamol Classic (Gr 1, 2040m) winner Addictive Habit (Colombia) whose dam Chasing The Habit (Sky Chase) is a half-sister to Rough Habit.

Completing a treble

Cambridge Stud took over the bloodstock newsroom when their home-bred filly Liguria (Snitzel) bagged Ellerslie’s Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (Gr 3, 1200m), capping an amazing week for the stud.

She shared third rounding into the home straight but lost her way near the 300 metres. Moving out a couple of lanes she then settled down for the chase, ranged alongside the leader Harvey Wallbanger (Home Affairs) at the 50 metres then dove at the line in the last stride and the win, which was slightly bittersweet as Liguria’s dam Vernazza (More Than Ready) died in 2024 after producing just two foals.

Liguria, her first foal, was having just her second start, so some compensation for the Lindsays who also bred a Proisir (Choisir) filly from Vernazza in 2024. Vernazza herself was a very good two-year-old and won at her second start before taking out the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m). Liguria will likely head down the same path and while not overly big may head towards the Sistema Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) on NZB Kiwi day, set for March 7. Vernazza was second in the 2020 Sistema Stakes.

Vernazza will be a big loss to the stud. Her two fillies will have to keep her line going. Granddam Zonza (Zabeel), a Melbourne Group 3 winner, has produced three stakes winners including Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Pinarello (Tavistock) and Liguria’s Listed-winning three-quarter sister Bavella (Snitzel). In 2025 Zonza dropped a filly foal by Chaldean (Frankel) so the family has a number of females to ensure that the line thrives. Future Karaka sales can look forward to the family being well represented.

Novara Park strikes

Luigi Muollo and his Novara Park have a nice broodmare in Mia Mamma (Per Incanto) who is now the dam of two stakes winners from three foals to race. At start ten, Special Sakura (Staphanos), raced by Muollo’s Explosive Breeding Ltd, took her record to three wins including Saturday’s Fulton Family Stakes (Listed, 1500m).

Special Sakura (Credit: Race Images)

The four-year-old mare was the early leader then was headed only to regain the lead at the 600 metres. Into the straight she was challenged but from the 250 metres kicked again and was never in danger to the line, scoring by a very convincing length and three-quarters.

Special Sakura won her maiden at her second start and her second win was achieved at start four. This season she has taken some time to find her best but signalled that a win was close when a game Benchmark 75 (1400m) second at Ellerlie on New Year’s Day.

Her half-brother Special Sweynesse (Sweynesse) was successful in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) making Mia Mamma a valuable Per Incanto (Street Cry) mare. The world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) is from a Per Incanto mare.

Muollo has a monopoly on this family but this branch is a bit thin on the ground, making it even more valuable. Mia Mamma is one of two foals while her dam Really Explosive (O’Reilly) is an only foal. Third dam Flamboyant Spirit (Pins) is a half-sister to Group 3 and dual Listed winner The Red Express (Exploding Prospect). He won 18 times and his sister Explosive (Exploding Prospect) is the grandam of Derby winners Explosive Jack (Jakkalberry) and Vin De Dance (Roc De Cambes).

Loving Melbourne

Wrote To Arataki (Wrote) loves Melbourne, to the tune of more than $900,000. Of her 28 lifetime starts, 25 have been at Flemington, Caulfield, Moonee Valley or Sandown but Caulfield is her favourite with the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) and Saturday’s Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) taking place there.

The Bellmaine Stakes wasn’t her first but the 2023 edition was staged at Sandown. Her seven wins also include the Frances Tressady Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) run at Flemington, the now seven-year-old proving to be a sound racemare.

Holding the inside rail from the jump, Wrote To Arataki didn’t reach the lead until the 700 metres and rounding into the straight was in full flight. She kicked at the 250 metres and from the 150 metres had the race under control. It was pleasing to see Damask Rose (Savabeel), who tracked Wrote To Arataki into the straight, keeping up a solid gallop to hold second.

Wrote To Arataki shares the same female bottom line as Manzor Blue (above) whose fourth dam is Tristalove (Sir Tristram). Wrote To Arataki’s fifth dam Sparkle N Shine (Sir Tristram) and Tristalove are sisters.

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Monday, February 2, 2026

Tab Meetings

Beaumont NSW Soft(6)
Show

Beaumont NSW Soft(6)

R1: Dailey Family Funerals Plate (C1), $27,000, 2200m

  1. Golden Smile (GB) (b M 6 Sea the Stars (IRE) - Sahraah (USA)
    T: K A Lees J: A Gibbons
  2. La Morra (AUS) (b F 3 Toronado (IRE) - Evo Campo (IRE))
  3. Call Me Son (AUS) (b G 4 The Autumn Sun (AUS) - Tomelilla (NZ))

Margins: 7.1 lens, 0.4 lens. Time: 2:20.75 (last 600m 36.06)

R2: The Adviser Collective Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1350m

  1. God Save The King (AUS) (b C 3 King's Legacy (AUS) - Serenade (AUS)
    T: G Waterhouse & A Bott J: Ms W Costin
  2. Ivy Legend (NZ) (b M 4 Savabeel (AUS) - Vinevale (AUS))
  3. Share The Joy (AUS) (b/br M 6 Overshare (AUS) - Joylean (AUS))

Margins: 2.6 lens, 1.4 lens. Time: 1:23.23 (last 600m 35.43)

R3: Sharp Office Mdn Hcp, $27,000, 1200m

  1. Good'n'you (AUS) (b/br G 3 Graff (AUS) - Don't Doubt Lara (AUS)
    T: G Ryan & S Alexiou J: Mitchell Bell
  2. Chispa (NZ) (b F 3 Savabeel (AUS) - Scintillula (IRE))
  3. Nothing Finer (AUS) (b G 3 King's Legacy (AUS) - Elisa Carolina (NZ))

Margins: 0.5 lens, 3.5 lens. Time: 1:14 (last 600m 33.99)

R4: New Zealand Bloodstock Country Boosted Mdn Plate, $30,000, 1150m

  1. Arabian Melody (AUS) (br M 6 Pride of Dubai (AUS) - Classic Music (IRE)
    T: John Bannister J: Grace Palmer
  2. Gyra (AUS) (b M 4 Overshare (AUS) - Devon Belle (AUS))
  3. Flying Truffles (AUS) (b F 3 Flying Artie (AUS) - Tartufi (USA))

Margins: 0.6 lens, 1.7 lens. Time: 1:10.73 (last 600m 36.24)

R5: New Era Technology Country Boosted (Bm66), $30,000, 1150m

  1. New Pharoah (AUS) (b G 5 American Pharoah (USA) - Talapega (AUS)
    T: Brett & Georgie Cavanough J: Ashley Morgan
  2. Cupid's Kiss (AUS) (br M 7 Nicconi (AUS) - Romance Writer (NZ))
  3. Ensign Parker (AUS) (ch G 5 Merchant Navy (AUS) - Gibberer (AUS))

Margins: 2.2 lens, 0.3 lens. Time: 1:9.530 (last 600m 35.15)

R6: A-Plus Contracting & Polywelding Hcp (C2), $27,000, 1200m

  1. Miss Capitale (AUS) (b M 4 Capitalist (AUS) - Cries And Whiskers (AUS)
    T: Matthew Smith J: Ashley Morgan
  2. Issy's Star (NZ) (b F 3 Frosted (USA) - Cavalini (AUS))
  3. Punch One Out (AUS) (b G 4 Hallowed Crown (AUS) - First Order (AUS))

Margins: 0.9 lens, 1.2 lens. Time: 1:12.57 (last 600m 34.52)

R7: The Prince Of Merewether (Bm58), $27,000, 1300m

  1. My Mate Kate (AUS) (b M 6 Your Song (AUS) - Reina Danzante (AUS)
    T: Ben Lees J: C Reith
  2. Chestime (AUS) (b/br M 6 Ribchester (IRE) - Dame Destiny (AUS))
  3. Lucky Ozzie (AUS) (b G 3 Cosmic Force (AUS) - Sunday Star (AUS))
Dubbo NSW Good(4)
Show

Dubbo NSW Good(4)

R1: (Bm58), $27,000, 2200m

  1. Hoorini (AUS) (b G 7 Sizzling (AUS) - Tips 'n' Tales (AUS)
    T: Brett Thompson J: Braith Nock
  2. Final Impact (NZ) (br G 7 Sacred Falls (NZ) - La Praline (AUS))
  3. Tavijewel (NZ) (b G 6 Tavistock (NZ) - Jewels Gift (NZ))

Margins: 3.2 lens, 1.5 lens. Time: 2:19.62 (last 600m)

R2: Country Boosted (Bm58), $30,000, 1200m

  1. A Boy Named Soo (AUS) (br G 6 Sooboog (AUS) - Cooyal Capers (AUS)
    T: David J Smith J: M A Cahill
  2. Lang Park (AUS) (b G 6 Flying Artie (AUS) - Alpen Rose (NZ))
  3. My Crown (AUS) (br G 4 Omaha Beach (USA) - California (AUS))

Margins: 1.7 lens, 0.4 lens. Time: 1:10.29 (last 600m)

R3: Soul Food Design Deport & Gallery Country Boosted Mdn Plate, $30,000, 1000m

  1. Baron Of Butter (AUS) (b/br G 4 Written Tycoon (AUS) - Smooth Landing (AUS)
    T: Ashley Gibson J: K Dunbar
  2. Fortians (AUS) (ch G 4 Deep Field (AUS) - Pomposity (AUS))
  3. Allusive Intent (AUS) (b G 3 Love Conquers All (AUS) - Intimate Act (AUS))

Margins: 0.2 lens, 0.2 lens. Time: 0:58.1 (last 600m)

R4: Justin Moses Carpentry & Concreting (Bm66), $27,000, 1600m

  1. Mr Chips (AUS) (b G 5 Casino Prince (AUS) - Luxury (AUS)
    T: Troy O'Neile J: Jenny Duggan
  2. Awesome Tycoon (AUS) (br G 6 Written Tycoon (AUS) - Sensible Lady (USA))
  3. Zelestial (GB) (b M 5 Zoustar (AUS) - Madernia (IRE))

Margins: 2 lens, 0.1 lens. Time: 1:34.42 (last 600m)

R5: Transforce Logistics Mdn Hcp, $27,000, 1200m

  1. Vicious Rumour (AUS) (bl M 4 Cable Bay (IRE) - Solchow (AUS)
    T: M R Mulholland J: Jacob Stiff
  2. The Contractor (AUS) (b G 4 Outreach (AUS) - Flying Paris (AUS))
  3. Nightwalker (AUS) (b/br G 6 Denman (AUS) - Aussie Secret (AUS))

Margins: 0.5 lens, 3.7 lens. Time: 1:10.32 (last 600m)

R6: Aquawest Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1400m

  1. Maximum Ride (AUS) (b/br G 6 Stryker (AUS) - White Countess (AUS)
    T: D Lane J: Izzy Neale
  2. Castro (NZ) (b G 4 Contributer (IRE) - Valley Of Pentire (NZ))
  3. Arwa Miss (AUS) (br M 4 D'argento (AUS) - Syrian Steel (AUS))

Margins: 0.2 lens, 0.1 lens. Time: 1:24.84 (last 600m)

R7: Michell Machinery Hire Benchmark 74 Handicap, $27,000, 1100m

  1. Inazuma Boy (AUS) (b G 4 Kobayashi (AUS) - Don't Doubt Her (AUS)
    T: R P Northam J: Ms M Weir
  2. Brutal Love (AUS) (br G 4 Brutal (NZ) - Love Freedom (AUS))
  3. Miracle Day (AUS) (b/br G 8 Street Boss (USA) - Omniscient (AUS))

Margins: 0.3 lens, 1 lens. Time: 1:02.22 (last 600m)

R8: Marty Nelson Refrigeration Electrical & Airconditioning (Bm58), $27,000, 1300m

  1. Wing Nut (AUS) (ch G 5 Menari (AUS) - Chocolate Coated (AUS)
    T: M R Mulholland J: Jacob Stiff
  2. Spring Prospect (AUS) (b M 4 Headwater (AUS) - Lady of Prospect (AUS))
  3. St Roy (AUS) (br G 6 Dane Shadow (AUS) - Akeelah (AUS))

Margins: 1 lens, 1.3 lens. Time: 1:16.72 (last 600m)

R9: Lawd – Mark Mudford Rural Property Sales (Bm58), $27,000, 1300m

  1. Black Nature (AUS) (b/br M 4 Addictive Nature (AUS) - Black Peggie (AUS)
    T: Dar Lunn J: Jacob Stiff
  2. Billabong Rose (AUS) (b M 5 Prized Icon (AUS) - Tejon (AUS))
  3. Glowing Rapids (AUS) (b G 5 Valentia (AUS) - Belaroc (AUS))

Margins: 0.2 lens, 0.8 lens. Time: 1:16.51 (last 600m)

R10: Flair Finance Country Boosted (Bm58), $30,000, 1000m

  1. Western Warrior (AUS) (b G 4 Bon Hoffa (AUS) - Flying Cassie (AUS)
    T: Natalie Pearce J: K Dunbar
  2. Desirous (AUS) (ch M 4 Capitalist (AUS) - Agueda (AUS))
  3. Denman Force (AUS) (b G 4 Denman (AUS) - Fairy Tough (AUS))

Margins: 0.8 lens, 0.8 lens. Time: 0:57.1 (last 600m)

Leading Broodmare Sires

Data supplied by Arion pedigrees

Australia

Leading Broodmare Sires by

Rank Stallion Ccode Yof - To Stud Breeding Rnrs Wnrs Wins SW(SWins) Earnings Best Performer
1 Fastnet Rock (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Danehill - Piccadilly Circus 545 202 271 10(11) $21,092,592 Joliestar - 2,052,000
2 Exceed and Excel (AUS) 2000 - 2004 Danehill - Patrona 427 145 203 8(9) $15,399,735 Tempted - 3,168,000
3 Redoute's Choice (AUS) 1996 - 2000 Danehill - Shantha's Choice 528 173 229 7(7) $13,663,530 Axius - 715,600
4 Galileo (IRE) 1998 - 2002 Sadler's Wells - Urban Sea 129 38 51 4(6) $13,347,125 Via Sistina - 6,581,500
5 Snitzel (AUS) 2002 - 2006 Redoute's Choice - Snippets' Lass 452 174 233 5(5) $12,899,021 Clear Thinking - 1,042,000
6 Street Cry (IRE) 1998 - 2003 Machiavellian - Helen Street 256 100 143 6(7) $10,742,174 Attica - 1,389,200
7 Lonhro (AUS) 1998 - 2004 Octagonal - Shadea 430 133 167 5(6) $10,246,445 Observer - 1,753,500
8 Desert King (IRE) 1994 - 1998 Danehill - Sabaah 21 10 16 1(3) $9,265,260 Half Yours - 8,900,950
9 Shamardal (USA) 2002 - 2005 Giant's Causeway - Helsinki 126 47 72 6(8) $8,996,490 Ceolwulf - 5,031,895
10 More Than Ready (USA) 1997 - 2001 Southern Halo - Woodman's Girl 443 133 169 3(4) $8,566,526 Miss Joelene - 526,300
11 O'Reilly (NZ) 1993 - 1997 Last Tycoon - Courtza 265 96 125 3(4) $8,455,657 Pride of Jenni - 1,027,145
12 Savabeel (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Zabeel - Savannah Success 224 71 96 3(3) $8,414,275 Gringotts - 2,446,000
13 Encosta de Lago (AUS) 1993 - 1997 Fairy King - Shoal Creek 419 142 179 2(2) $8,404,121 Fangirl - 738,750
14 High Chaparral (IRE) 1999 - 2004 Sadler's Wells - Kasora 277 89 118 4(7) $8,170,791 Apulia - 1,033,595
15 Per Incanto (USA) 2004 - 2011 Street Cry - Pappa Reale 33 5 7 1(1) $8,083,715 Ka Ying Rising - 7,549,000
16 Not a Single Doubt (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Redoute's Choice - Singles Bar 326 117 154 6(9) $7,984,242 My Gladiola - 647,145
17 Var (USA) 1999 - 2005 Forest Wildcat - Loma Preata 2 1 4 1(3) $6,806,600 Autumn Glow - 6,800,500
18 Medaglia d'Oro (USA) 1999 - 2005 El Prado - Cappucino Bay 167 55 88 5(7) $6,562,542 Apocalyptic - 1,049,000
19 Casino Prince (AUS) 2003 - 2008 Flying Spur - Lady Capel 102 36 53 4(5) $6,304,328 Sepals - 2,687,400
20 I Am Invincible (AUS) 2004 - 2010 Invincible Spirit - Cannarelle 265 104 145 3(3) $5,811,620 Hawker Hall - 272,125

New Zealand

Leading Broodmare Sires by

Rank Stallion Ccode Yof - To Stud Breeding Rnrs Wnrs Wins SW(SWins) Earnings Best Performer
1 O'Reilly (NZ) 1993 - 1997 Last Tycoon - Courtza 161 47 65 9(9) $3,636,527 Tuxedo - 563,950
2 Savabeel (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Zabeel - Savannah Success 151 46 54 2(2) $1,944,477 La Dorada - 328,250
3 High Chaparral (IRE) 1999 - 2004 Sadler's Wells - Kasora 83 31 41 3(3) $1,875,225 Bozo - 336,875
4 Sebring (AUS) 2005 - 2009 More Than Ready - Purespeed 23 7 14 2(5) $1,757,632 Well Written - 1,415,625
5 Stravinsky (USA) 1996 - 2000 Nureyev - Fire the Groom 46 18 25 3(3) $1,574,532 Romanoff - 451,100
6 Fastnet Rock (AUS) 2001 - 2005 Danehill - Piccadilly Circus 61 21 33 3(3) $1,391,485 Hinekaha - 326,625
7 Pins (AUS) 1996 - 2000 Snippets - No Finer 108 28 35 1(2) $1,364,242 Ammirati - 136,285
8 Zabeel (NZ) 1986 - 1991 Sir Tristram - Lady Giselle 85 32 35 2(2) $1,342,240 Manzor Blue - 239,635
9 Pentire (GB) 1992 - 1997 Be My Guest - Gull Nook 51 15 25 1(2) $1,309,775 Agera - 267,000
10 Redoute's Choice (AUS) 1996 - 2000 Danehill - Shantha's Choice 58 17 24 1(1) $1,199,035 Ohope Wins - 160,995
11 Keeper (AUS) 1997 - 2002 Danehill - Nuwirah 64 19 24 3(3) $1,180,370 Belle Cheval - 216,665
12 Darci Brahma (NZ) 2002 - 2007 Danehill - Grand Echezeaux 91 25 33 0(0) $1,096,320 Shaking Stevens - 98,440
13 Lonhro (AUS) 1998 - 2004 Octagonal - Shadea 48 16 19 1(1) $961,622 Jigsaw - 402,500
14 Snitzel (AUS) 2002 - 2006 Redoute's Choice - Snippets' Lass 35 13 18 1(1) $855,715 Argo - 92,875
15 More Than Ready (USA) 1997 - 2001 Southern Halo - Woodman's Girl 59 19 21 1(1) $828,690 Cognito - 74,800
16 Volksraad (GB) 1988 - 1993 Green Desert - Celtic Assembly 46 11 14 1(2) $806,285 First Five - 402,275
17 Shocking (AUS) 2005 - 2011 Street Cry - Maria di Castiglia 13 4 7 1(2) $774,240 Waitak - 627,750
18 Showcasing (GB) 2007 - 2011 Oasis Dream - Arabesque 30 8 10 2(2) $764,120 Lollapalooza - 313,725
19 Redwood (GB) 2006 - 2012 High Chaparral - Arum Lily 15 6 7 1(1) $701,595 Dream Roca - 550,500
20 Per Incanto (USA) 2004 - 2011 Street Cry - Pappa Reale 40 16 19 1(1) $672,465 Special Sakura - 80,300
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