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Friday, May 22, 2026

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Single Red’s The Roses bid of great interest to Kenmore and Kulani

Trevor Marshallsea

ANZ News

Powerful filly Single Red (Vanbrugh) - yet another promising tried purchase from New Zealand by OTI Racing - will have a lot riding on her when she tackles the ANZ Bloodstock News The Roses (Gr 2, 2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Rather than carrying just her own connections’ hopes, she’ll have a couple of vendors for next week’s Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale cheering her loudly as well.

What's On

Taking her next step towards the Queensland Oaks (Gr 1, 2200m), Single Red is at $6 as she strives to go from three-time stakes placegetter to black type winner in a strong field of 16 for the $300,000 The Roses.

And watching with keen interest - and perhaps an encouraging bet or two - from the Magic Millions complex will be the folks from Queensland’s Kenmore Lodge and Victoria’s Kulani Park.

On Tuesday, Kenmore will offer Lot 539 at the broodmare sale in the four-year-old Russian Alliance (Russian Revolution), winner of the Gold Coast’s Ken Russell Memorial Classic (Gr 3, 1200m) and four other races, who’s a half-sister to Single Red.

And on Wednesday, Kulani Park will sell, as Lot 650, the source of them both - their dam Sea Dweller (High Chaparral) - who placed four times from six starts in England, and who’s in-foal to Coolmore stallion Shinzo (Snitzel).

“I’ll be having a little omen bet on Single Red for sure,” Kenmore owner Cameron Bond told ANZ News.

“It’d mean a lot to us if Single Red can win. Russian Alliance is going to be easy to sell - she’s a beautiful physical and the family’s going great. But if Single Red can win two days earlier, it’ll make it just that bit easier.”

Kulani Park’s Rhys Smith will also have his eyes on Single Red as he prepares to flip her 12-year-old dam, whom he bought for $105,000 on Inglis Digital last June, when she was in-foal to Shinzo for the first time. While Smith entered the filly borne of that mating for Sunday’s National Weanling Sale, he’s decided to keep her instead, while selling her mother.

“A win for Single Red would make things very current,” Smith said. “It would definitely help the mare. It would help the whole family.”

“

It’d mean a lot to us if Single Red can win. Russian Alliance is going to be easy to sell - she’s a beautiful physical and the family’s going great. But if Single Red can win two days earlier, it’ll make it just that bit easier

Cameron Bond

It’s probably just as well for Single Red that she can’t read a catalogue.

“There’s no extra pressure - she doesn’t know what’s happening at the sales,” her trainer Andrew Forsman said with a smile. “But obviously for those vendors, you hope the horse runs well. I’m sure they’ll be watching with interest.”

Forsman is confident Single Red has the right stuff to become a stakes winner, whether it’s in time for the broodmare sale or not.

Bred by Hong Kong-based breeder Ben Kwok, she was passed in short of a $60,000 reserve in Windsor Park Stud’s draft at Karaka Book 1 in 2024, and given to Forsman to train.

A little late to develop, she debuted at three-and-a-half with a fourth at Tauranga on January 2, before scoring by 3.3 lengths at Te Rapa, over 1400m metres.

“It was a good win, very classy,” Forsman said. “It was only a maiden but she won with a bit of authority, and like a filly who’s certainly up to some black type.”

It was authoritative enough to make Terry Henderson’s OTI pounce once more, as they have done with so many Kiwis who’d had a couple of starts or trials, including their elite winners I’m Thunderstruck (Shocking), Warmonger (War Decree), Vin De Dance (Roc De Cambes) and this month’s South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) hero Wigmore (Sweynesse).

With Kwok remaining in the ownership group, Single Red carried OTI’s navy and gold hoops to another victory at start number three, over 1650 metres at Waverley, earning rises in class and distance.

Russian Alliance (Credit: Magic Millions)

She ran a 0.6-length second in Te Rapa’s David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (Gr 2, 2100m), then a third in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m). Both races were won by the outstanding Ohope Wins (Ocean Park), who emphatically franked the form when transferred to Chris Waller to win the ATC Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m).

Rested for a Queensland winter carnival campaign, Single Red resumed with a 1.5-length victory in a 1600-metre Te Rapa three-year-old set weights event on April 25, before crossing the Tasman for another stakes placing, a meritorious 0.9-length second in the Gold Coast Bracelet (Listed, 1800m).

The filly has stretched out to 2400 metres, if not in defiance of her pedigree, then certainly despite her build.

She’s striving to become a fourth stakes winner for Windsor Park’s Vanbrugh (Encosta De Lago). He scored his elite victory over a middle distance in Randwick’s Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m).

His best performer Mustang Valley - also trained by Forsman - won her two Group 1s in New Zealand over 1600 metres and 2040 metres, while another stakes winner, Sheez Dominant, has won to 2050 metres.

Single Red’s dam Sea Dweller recorded her placings from 1750m-2000 metres, but her mother Langoustine (Danehill) scored her two wins at two, including Flemington’s Maribyrnong Plate (Gr 2, 1000m).

“We thought she’d be up to black type, but the distance thing was a bit of a surprise,” Forsman said.

“Physically, she’s quite strong and powerful and not built like a staying filly might typically look like.

“And pedigree-wise, she might have been suspect to run a staying trip. But after she won that second start, the black type options open to us beyond Christmas started to extend over further distances.

“It’s probably by default as much as anything that she has ended up racing over a bit of ground. A lot of it’s just on pure ability. In time you’ll see the best of her at a mile and 2000 metres as an older horse.”

Forsman and OTI fortuitously found an appropriate Group 1 target in the Queensland Oaks.

The race was run at the traditional Oaks trip of 2400 metres before being switched to Doomben and 2200 metres for four editions late last decade, when Eagle Farm underwent renovations. When it went back across Nudgee Rd in 2021, it stayed at 2200 metres for reasons best known by no one, but welcomed by Single Red’s connections.

“The distance of the Queensland Oaks was in our thinking,” Forsman said. “She ran a very game race over 2400 metres in our Oaks, but [jockey] Opie Bosson felt she struggled to run out the last little bit of the 2400.

“Knowing we’d done well to get a Group 1 placing, we thought it’d be nice to give her a freshen up and set her for a 2200-metre Group 1.”

“

I’m confident that she’s going very well. In my mind she’s probably the best horse in the race, although others have got the chance to prove otherwise

Andrew Forsman

Forsman was full of praise for Single Red’s Australian debut at the Gold Coast. Sent out a $3.20 favourite, she sat outside $5 shot Spicy Lu (Tagaloa) as the first pair.

Spicy Lu turned up the pace sharply at the 800 metres but weakened on straightening, leaving Single Red exposed in the lead for most of the straight. She was only collared late as $6.50 third-elect Nightline (Redwood) scored her fourth win in eight starts.

“We thought we’d get all the favours up on speed when we drew well,” Forsman said. “But [Spicy Lu] put the pressure on, and as quickly as they tried to make a race of it, it stopped, and our girl was left in front a long way out.

“We felt it was a very winnable race but it didn’t work out on the day and we were beaten by a pretty smart filly as well.

“But Single Red has come out of it well and will be improved for the run.”

Single Red was on the second line of betting for The Roses on Thursday, as one of four Kiwi-breds around the top of the betting. Chris Waller’s Chispa (Savabeel) held favouritism at $5, Ciaron Maher’s Paltrow Miss (Circus Maximus) was at $6, and Waller’s Soverato (Vadamos) was at $8.

With Jason Collett to have his first ride on Single Red, the main negative was that she drew barrier 14.

“I’m confident that she’s going very well. In my mind she’s probably the best horse in the race, although others have got the chance to prove otherwise,” Forsman said.

“It’ll be up to Jason and how he begins and how the others do inside of him. She is tractable, she can do it at both ends, although we’d prefer not to be left exposed turning for home this time around.

“But he’s a capable rider and he’s got the horse under him to do it either way.

“Hopefully she can have a relatively easy first half of the race and I’m sure she’ll be hitting the line strongly.”

While Single Red was “maybe a preparation behind” in starting racing only five months ago, Forsman said that might prove a blessing as she’s aimed at valuable black type, possibly in the Melbourne spring.

“I think he’s got a bit of a future,” he said. “She’s got the physique, she’s got the talent, and she’s got here quite quickly.

“It’ll be great if we can get some more black type and an important Australian stakes win on the board this prep, but she’s going to train on to be a lovely mare in the next couple of seasons.”

Bond is expecting a “decent” sale for Russian Alliance, who was broken in at Kenmore before her career of five wins from 25 starts ended last month, and this sale as a breeding proposition only.

“She’s a nice type of mare, a good average-sized sharp looking mare, so hopefully she’ll do well,” said Bond, who has ten lots in all.

Kulani Park’s Smith said he began thinking of a quick on-selling for Sea Dweller at the Gold Coast when Single Red’s connections started talking about a Queensland campaign.

“It’s just the timing, really, with Single Red targeted at Queensland,” Smith said. “She looks great. She’s always in good condition, and she’s a beautiful mare.”

Smith is also selling the four-year-old American-bred winning mare Jillaroo (Curlin), whose dam Bounding (Lonhro) won Ellerslie’s Railway Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and was New Zealand’s Champion Sprinter of 2013-14.

While he’ll have had Sea Dweller for less than a year, he’s hoping Single Red can provide a page boost on Saturday.

“When I bought her, she was just in the age bracket I was looking for, and she’d throw a stakes winner [in Russian Alliance],” he said. “If they do that with an early foal, they’re a chance to do it again, and she just about has with Single Red. Hopefully she can get there on Saturday.”

Morning Briefing

Australia

Vale Steve Richards

Steve Richards (Credit: Racing Victoria)

Racing Victoria (RV) and the Australian Trainers Association (ATA) have announced the death of long-time Flemington trainer Steve Richards, 70, who succumbed to injuries sustained after falling and hitting his head last week. In a career in racing that spanned more than half-a-century, Richards was first licensed as an apprentice jockey in the early 1970s before obtaining a trainer’s licence in Victoria in 1985 which he carried through to his shock passing. Richards celebrated the two Group 1 victories courtesy of three-year-old Ark Regal (Star Way) and Rostova (Testa Rossa). Richards saddled up his last runner at Kilmore on 18 April 2026 with his final winner coming at Horsham on February 24, 2026 courtesy of Punic War (Magna Grecia). RV chief executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “Racing Victoria extends its heartfelt condolences on behalf of the entire Victorian racing industry to the family and friends of Steve Richards on the news of his passing in such tragic circumstances. Our thoughts are also with the trainers and staff at Flemington where Steve was a very popular and hard-working member of the training ranks for many years, along with the numerous jockeys who rode for him throughout his training career.” ATA president and Flemington-based trainer, Troy Corstens, said: “I have known Steve my whole life, and Flemington will not be the same without seeing his smiling face each morning. Steve Richards was a VRC trainer in the truest sense. He understood this place. He understood horses and he understood people. As a judge of a yearling, he was outstanding. Steve had an eye that very few in this industry could match when he was given the chance. But beyond his ability, it was his work ethic and love for the animal that truly set him apart. He was always there, always working, and always doing it for the right reasons. Flemington has lost one of its own. More broadly, Victorian racing and its training ranks have lost a good man. And those of us lucky enough to have known Steve have lost a friend we will carry with us always.” Richards is survived by wife Maryanne and daughters Brooke and Laura.

Magic Millions strengthens leadership team with key appointments

Barry Bowditch and James Hetherington (Credit: Magic Millions)

Magic Millions has announced a series of leadership and staffing changes as the company continues to expand its footprint across both bloodstock and emerging commercial sectors. Central to the changes is the promotion of James Hetherington to the role of bloodstock sales manager, a move that reflects his growing standing within the thoroughbred industry and his close relationships with vendors, buyers and trainers across the market. Hetherington has become a familiar face within the Magic Millions operation through his work with clients at all levels of the industry, combining strong horsemanship with a practical understanding of the commercial realities faced by breeders and owners. In his new role, Hetherington will work alongside operations manager Kylie Adair in overseeing the company’s bloodstock division. Meanwhile, Dane Robinson will transition into a bloodstock sales and property role, where he will continue supporting clients and sales operations while also focusing on the growth of Magic Millions’ property portfolio and database. The company has bolstered its broader bloodstock and marketing team over the past 12 months with several key additions. Annie O'Rourke has joined in a bloodstock sales and marketing role, bringing international experience and a background through the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start program. Tabitha Ridley-Thomas has also joined the team following time with Archibald Racing, adding practical stable and racehorse development experience to the operation. Another addition is Lochie Bruce, who joins as a bloodstock consultant with a focus on client engagement, research and sales support. The new appointments complement the company’s existing senior team, including Adair, James Dawson, Ben Culham, Adrian Hancock, David Houston, Tim Brown and sales director David Chester. Magic Millions said the reshaped structure reflected a deliberate focus on blending experience with emerging talent as the business positions itself for continued domestic and international growth.

Clark banking on Vauban in Doomben Cup clash with Pride Of Jenni

Tim Clark is hoping Vauban’s (Galiway) stamina and proven wet-track ability can help the import topple star mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) in Saturday’s Doomben Cup (Gr 1, 2000m). Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Vauban heads to Brisbane off a freshen-up following his placing in the Tancred Stakes (Gr 1, 2400m) behind Aeliana (Castelvecchio) and Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) during the Sydney autumn carnival. The Doomben Cup and Q22 (Gr 2, 2200m) have long been the gelding’s winter targets, although Clark admitted Pride Of Jenni’s presence added another dimension to the race after her dominant Hollindale Stakes (Gr 2, 1800m) victory earlier this month. “She strings them along and she makes it interesting, that’s for sure,” Clark said. “She puts the pressure on you a long way from home, so it’s a matter of trying to time when to start trying to chip into that lead.” Clark said rain-affected ground would suit Vauban, with Doomben rated in the heavy range on Thursday. “He reacts well on the fresh side, he’s had a tick-over trial and exhibition gallop and getting his toe in on a softer track will help him as well,” he said. Clark will also partner Tomato Toastie (Too Darn Hot) in the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Plate (1600m), with the filly stepping up to a mile for the first time after a stakes placing over 1400 metres at the Gold Coast. His Doomben book also includes Crathie Kirk (Ole Kirk) in the ANZ Bloodstock News The Roses (Gr 2, 2000m) and Midnight Dynamite (Pierata) in the BRC Sprint (Gr 3, 1300m).

Baker filly could earn quick Sires’ backup

I Am Dirty (I Am Invincible) could earn a shot at the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) if the improving filly can continue her rise in Saturday’s Bill Carter Stakes (Listed, 1350m) at Doomben. Trained by Bjorn Baker, the daughter of I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) broke through with an impressive win at the standalone Gosford meeting after enduring a tough run when unplaced on debut at Randwick. Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton said the filly had continued to improve since that performance and the stable was optimistic she could measure up in stakes company. “There’s a possibility that if she could win on Saturday, we might look at backing her up in the Sires’,” Hilton said. “But it’s a stakes race for fillies on Saturday, she’s got a very good pedigree, so it would be a good bonus.” Hilton said the stable had been encouraged by the way I Am Dirty relaxed in running at Gosford, giving confidence she would handle the rise to 1350 metres. “She has come on from that run and out to the 1350 [metres] should suit as well,” he said. “She’s drawn a good gate so she should get every chance from there.” Rachel King, who rode the filly at Gosford, will again take the ride as part of a busy book at Doomben. King will also continue her association with Probability Theory (Microphone) in the ANZ Bloodstock News The Roses after guiding the filly to consecutive Sydney victories for trainer Nacim Dilmi.

Queensland campaign possible for promising Thyme To Go

Thyme To Go (I Am Invincible) could earn a late shot at the Brisbane winter carnival if she resumes successfully at Randwick on Saturday. Prepared by Annabel and Rob Archibald, the filly will line up in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m) after two encouraging trials. Purchased for $260,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Thyme To Go made an impressive debut when runner-up to Knightsbridge (Farnan) at Randwick in January before being sent for a spell after her second outing. “We thought a lot of her last prep,” Rob Archibald said. “Her first run was good and her second run, we felt like she was looking for the paddock, so we gave her a good break.” Archibald said the filly remained immature but had returned in good order ahead of her first-up assignment. “She is a big, raw, scopey filly that without a doubt will be better next preparation,” he said. “She’s still doing a few things wrong, so the focus on Saturday will be on still trying to teach her to execute the race the right way.” A strong performance could see Thyme To Go continue north for one of the juvenile features later in the Queensland carnival. “If she does everything right, there’s no reason we wouldn’t keep progressing,” Archibald said. Apprentice Braith Nock has the ride from barrier three in the field of 11. Stablemate Zousika (Zoustar) is also entered at Randwick, although connections are weighing up whether to run the last-start Kembla Grange winner after drawing barrier nine.

Declichy Boulevard returns after lengthy absence

Declichy Boulevard (Snitzel) will make her long-awaited return at Randwick on Saturday, although trainer Chris Waller is expecting the mare to improve with racing after more than a year on the sidelines. The four-year-old resumes in the Taylor Construction Handicap (1400m), her first appearance since finishing third behind Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) in the Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) in April last year. A tendon injury interrupted her campaign soon after that Group 1 placing, with Waller taking a patient approach to her recovery. “She was over a year off the scene so she will probably need the run, but it’s good to have her back,” Waller said. “She’s a good horse. We thought she’d be a genuine Oaks horse, and she went amiss. We have taken our time with her.” Waller indicated Declichy Boulevard would likely have two runs this preparation before being aimed towards the spring carnival. Apprentice Siena Grima takes three kilograms off the mare’s 62.5-kilogram impost, leaving her with 59.5 kilograms. Waller will also saddle Surf's Up (Flying Artie) and Jellicious (Snitzel) in the same event. Surf’s Up was stakes-placed as a three-year-old and was sent to Melbourne for a Group 3 assignment during the spring, although Waller said she needed to improve on her recent efforts. “She showed a lot as an early three-year-old and she has been a bit plain since, so she needs to lift,” he said. Jellicious, meanwhile, is expected to appreciate a return to softer ground after disappointing on a firmer surface at her most recent start.

Wonder Boy’s Sandown start hinges on track conditions

Wonder Boy (Cosmic Force) will face a race morning fitness test before connections decide whether he backs up at Sandown on Saturday. Trainer Jerome Hunter said track conditions would determine whether the in-form gelding lines up in the MRC Life Member David Sims 90th Birthday Handicap (1800m). The Sandown surface was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday, with Hunter keen for drying conditions before confirming the start. “I’ll wait until race day to make a final decision as the drier it gets, the more confident I will be about running him,” Hunter said. The four-year-old has been in strong form this campaign, winning at Mornington in April before adding another victory at Flemington last Saturday. In between those runs he finished a close second to Von Hauke (Savabeel) in the Golden Mile (Listed, 1600m) at Bendigo. Saturday’s assignment would see Wonder Boy step beyond 1600 metres for the first time, although Hunter said the gelding had already answered lingering doubts over his ability at the mile. “He’s ticked the mile off with two wins in his past three starts and the horse that beat him at Bendigo is a Group 2 winner,” Hunter said. Hunter indicated Wonder Boy could head to the paddock after Saturday, with the gelding already seven runs into his preparation. “As I’ve said to the owners, every week there is a reason to keep him in, even something like the Winter Championship, but eventually you have to bite the bullet and have a break,” he said. Longer-term targets remain flexible, with Hunter suggesting races such as the Seymour Cup (Listed, 1600m) could suit the gelding later in the year.

Barrier quirk leaves Begg trio with gate 14 at Sandown

Trainer Grahame Begg was left bemused after all three of his runners at Sandown on Saturday drew barrier 14 in their respective races. Oman (Capitalist), Upstage (Toronado) and King Zephyr (Hallowed Crown) will all jump from the same gate. “What would the odds be of that?” Begg said. “You couldn’t write a ticket for what odds that would be.” King Zephyr heads to the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1400m) and remains in contention for a Queensland campaign aimed at the Stradbroke Handicap (Gr 1, 1400m) at Eagle Farm next month. Begg said the gelding would need to produce a strong performance on Saturday to warrant a trip north. “We’ll wait and get over Saturday before making a decision on whether he heads north,” he said. King Zephyr resumes off a second placing behind Big Swinger (Trapeze Artist) at Flemington on April 25 and was a winner over the Sandown 1400 metres last spring. “It’s a big field, there should be good speed, so from that barrier he’ll have to come back and find some cover,” Begg said. “If they’re getting away from the fence it can suit those run-on types.” Oman is accepted for the opening race at Sandown but also holds an entry for Ballarat on Sunday, where she drew barrier 15 as third emergency. “She’s trialled up at Caulfield Heath and looks in good shape for her return,” Begg said. Meanwhile, Upstage will chase a hat-trick after wins at Pakenham and Ballarat when she lines up in the Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Handicap (1600m). “She’s in great form and deserves her chance in town now,” Begg said.

Drop in grade to suit Amedei at Sandown

Amedei (Zoustar) is expected to benefit from a drop in class when she lines up in the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday. Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the daughter of Zoustar (Northern Meteor) drops back to Benchmark 78 level after finishing runner-up in the Adelaide Guineas (Listed, 1600m) at Morphettville last start. The filly resumed with an impressive maiden win over 1300 metres at Seymour before stepping quickly into stakes company at just her second run back. “She’s a promising filly,” Kent Jnr said. “She won her maiden stylishly from a long way back and then put in a very good effort in the Listed Adelaide Guineas. It was a bit of a task we set her, second-up at a mile and it was a deteriorating track that day, but it was job done, so to speak.” Kent Jnr said the stable felt three weeks between runs and a return to 1400 metres made the Sandown assignment an ideal option. Purchased for $750,000 from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Amedei is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Ducasse (Trapeze Artist). Kent Jnr said the filly had matured significantly since an educational spring campaign that included a Group 2 appearance at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day. “She was quite immature in the spring, but she’s come back a much better filly and all she wants to do is attack the line,” he said. “I think you’ll see a nice horse on Saturday.”

Beers potentially on the horses at Doomben

Both Pride Of Jenni or Half Yours (St Jean) could become even more popular with punters at Doomben on Saturday should either of the pair score in the Doomben Cup. The Brisbane Racing Club has announced adults at Doomben this Saturday will be able to claim a complimentary XXXX Gold, should they wish, if either Pride Of Jenni or Half Yours claims victory in the feature. “Pride Of Jenni’s Hollindale win has created huge anticipation heading into Saturday, while the presence of reigning Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, who worked brilliantly between races at Doomben last weekend, gives the race genuine national significance,” Brisbane Racing Club CEO Karl deKroo told Racing.com. “We’re thrilled to partner with XXXX again to create a fun, high-energy atmosphere and reward racegoers with a XXXX Gold on us if either champion gets the job done.”

Asia

HK: Rousham Park targets first Group 1 victory on fifth overseas campaign

The Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday will centre around the performance of overwhelming favourite Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) – Hong Kong racing’s superstar. Adding further interest is the participation of two foreign horses. One is the eight-year-old Deep Monster (Deep Impact), while the other is seven-year-old Rousham Park (Harbinger), who makes his third trip to Hong Kong for trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka. He made his first overseas trip for the 2023 Hong Kong Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) and finished eighth. He then narrowly missed victory in the Osaka Hai (Gr 1, 2000m), finishing second by a neck, in his first start of 2024. Later that year, he produced a strong performance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (Gr 1, 12f), finishing a close second behind Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi). In April last year, Rousham Park travelled to Sydney, Australia for the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) - his third overseas campaign - but finished seventh behind Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock). After returning to Japan and running in the Takarazuka Kinen (Gr 1, 2200m) in June, he underwent throat surgery. Rousham Park then showed determination to finish fifth in the Hong Kong Cup on December 14 at Sha Tin. “That fifth-place finish in the Hong Kong Cup came during a period when we might have felt Rousham Park’s ability was beginning to decline," Tanaka said. "We had planned to target this race if he could run well in one domestic start during the spring campaign, because there are very few suitable 2400 metre races in Japan aside from the 2500-metre Meguro Kinen. After his last race, he returned to the pre-training farm of Northern Farm, where he recovered well without any damage, and he came back to my stable on April 28. He stayed at the quarantine stable alone before the trip to Hong Kong, but his final workout was very good and everything has gone smoothly.”

First Season Sire Runners

Friday, May 22, 2026